Ro-Shaun Williams: Profile of Doncaster Rovers' new centre half

Here, we take a look at the career so far of the 22-year-old.

Name: Roshaun Omar Stuart Williams

Born: September 3, 1998, Manchester

HE CAME FROM A SUCCESSFUL BREEDING GROUND

Williams’ first club was Fletcher Moss Rangers in West Didsbury, Manchester which has an incredible alumni list.

He was team mates at the club with Marcus Rashford, as well as primary school pals, and the pair have remained close ever since. Rashford popped up in the stands at the New Meadow on a couple of occasions to watch Williams in action for Shrewsbury.

Other players that have previously been on Fletcher Moss’ books include Wes Brown, Ravel Morrison, Danny Welbeck, Jesse Lingard and Keiren Westwood.

THEN UNITED CAME CALLING

Like many of the top players at Fletcher Moss, Williams found himself being watched by Manchester United and was snapped up by the Premier League giants as a nine-year-old, following in the footsteps of Rashford who had signed two-years earlier. It was a stint for Williams that would last a decade.

RECORD-BREAKINGLY QUICK

Olympian Darren Campbell held a 25-year record at his former school until Williams wrenched it away from him in 2014.

Campbell set the record for the 100m at Ashton-on-Mersey School in 1989 at 11.13s and it stood until Williams beat it a quarter of a century later. At the school sports day, the then-15-year-old posted an incredible time of 10.99s.

And that was despite having never taken part in a competitive race previously - with all his athletic efforts focused on football.

“It was just a school sports day so we all had to run,” he told the Manchester Evening News at the time. Campbell sent a message of congratulations.

HIGHLY RATED

Williams’ talents as a teen made him a stand-out within the United academy. He broke into the U18s as an U15s squad member and made his U21 debut as a 16-year-old. He also won age group caps for England from U16 to U19 level. He was named on the bench twice for United’s first team in the Europa League and FA Cup.

TWO YEARS A SHREW

Williams joined Shrewsbury in the summer of 2019 after taking the decision to leave United, keen to find regular first team football. And he got it with 97 appearances across two campaigns. He has yet to net his first goal at senior level however.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.