Williams had been with Everton as a schoolboy before playing for Hawarden Rangers, where he was spotted by Chester coach Cliff Sear.
[2] He made his Football League debut on 8 May 1982 in a 2–1 home defeat to Lincoln City in the number eight shirt.
He made his final appearance for Chester against Bristol City on 7 May 1984 before he was released by manager John McGrath.
[4] During his time at Chester, Williams and teammate John Allen had been set to join Chelsea on trial with a view to permanent transfers, but the deals collapsed after Williams was stretchered off in a match against Hartlepool United.
Over the next six years, Williams went on to make 238 first-team appearances for the North Wales club, helping them win the Welsh Cup against Kidderminster Harriers in 1985–86.