Gavin John Williams (born 20 July 1980 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan) is a Welsh former international footballer who was most recently the manager of Merthyr Town. Club career Hereford United Williams started his career as a YTS player at Hereford United having previously trained with Cardiff City. He made his first team debut at the age of 17, as a substitute in the 3–0 FA Cup victory over Sittingbourne. He made twelve more appearances that season and scored his first goal against Dover Athletic in the Conference. By the 1998–99 season he was a first team regular playing in a variety of positions in midfield and up front. He was to spend five seasons at Edgar Street, notably scoring a wonder strike against Swindon Town in the 2001–02 FA Cup Second Round. Yeovil Town At the age of 21 he moved to Hereford's rivals Yeovil Town for the 2002–03 season, having rejected a new contract offer at Edgar Street. Hereford received a £22,500 fee for their leading goalscorer plus a 25% next sale clause, which earned the Bulls a further £62,500 in 2004. At Huish Park he was an integral part in the squad which in that season gained promotion to the football league for the first time, scoring six goals, the same season in which his team reached the sixth round of the FA Trophy. He also won the Player of the Year award for his club, an ever-present rock in the midfield. West Ham It wasn't long before West Ham United decided to swoop for him, purchasing him in December 2004 for £250,000. But his last act in his last game for Yeovil was to be sent off. He made his West Ham debut on Boxing Day 2004, coming on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest in a 3–2 win. He made a further nine appearances in the West Ham team, as they gained promotion to the Premiership, scoring his first goal against Leeds United. By November 2005 he had been loaned out to Ipswich Town after struggling to gain a first-team place at West Ham. The loan spell was a success and the deal was made permanent in January 2006 for a fee of £300,000. Ipswich Town In November 2005, Williams joined Ipswich Town on loan after struggling to gain a first-team place at West Ham. He scored on his debut for the club on 19 November