Leeds United - on this day: Former Whites winger Harold Williams was born

The day...

June 17, 1924.

Who?

Harold Williams.

The background

Harold Williams was a Welsh winger who made 228 appearances for Leeds United during a eight-year spell in West Yorkshire.

Williams served in the Second World War with the Royal Navy in Ireland but upon his release in 1946 signed for Newport County having failed to make the grade with Swansea Town earlier in his career.

He caught the eye of the Whites three years later in 1949 as he dazzled in a 3-1 shock FA Cup victory for County over United at Elland Road.

It was enough to convince manager Major Frank Buckley to part with £12,000 - a hefty fee at that time - for the winger.

Williams put pen to paper on a contract that saw him earn £12 a week as he struck up an impressive partnership with Whites legend and friend John Charles.

“He became one of the best players in the world and I couldn’t stop putting the ball on his head," Williams said.

He bagged 35 goals in his time with the Whites, and also helped Charles to score 42 goals for the club in a single season during his stay in LS11.

In 1957 Williams returned to County for a second spell before later finishing his career with local non-league side Bradford Park Avenue.

The legacy

Williams remained in Leeds up until his death in 2014 aged 90.

The former Whites wide man continued to follow the club and was landlord of The Railway Inn in Beeston before moving to Gildersome later, where he would also run The Griffin Inn pub.

Williams won four caps for Wales during his career.