Shaun Williams

Dundalk loan Williams spent the 2007 League of Ireland First Division season on loan at Drogheda United's County Louth rivals Dundalk. He made 25 appearances, scoring 8 goals as Dundalk finished in 3rd place.

Finn Harps loan He spent the opening half of the 2008 season on loan from Drogheda United at Finn Harps following their promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2007 via the playoffs. He made 14 appearances, scoring two goals. He followed that up with his second in three games as Harps beat U.C.D. 1–0. Failing to score in the rest of his appearances for Harps, his loan ended in Summer 2008 as he returned to Drogheda United for the remainder of the season. He went on to make a further 3 appearances before the end of the season. He scored 10 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions as his side finished 3rd in the league, beating Bray Wanderers 4–2 on aggregate in the Promotion/relegation play-off final. They also beat Sligo Rovers to win the 2009 FAI Cup with Williams playing the full 90 minutes of the Final at Tallaght Stadium. He was voted into the PFAI First Division Team of the Year at the end of the season. The 2010 season was Fingal's first ever season in the League of Ireland Premier Division but they and Williams took to it well, finishing in 4th place and earning a UEFA Europa League place for the following season. Williams made his first appearances in European competition in July 2010 when he captain his side at home and away to C.S. Marítimo of Portugal as they lost both legs 3–2. Williams was selected in the League of Ireland XI to play a friendly against Manchester United in the first ever match at the Aviva Stadium. At the end of the season, Williams won the 2010 PFAI Young Player of the Year award as voted by his fellow players at the end of the season. Just weeks before the 2011 season, Sporting Fingal went out of existence due to financial difficulties leaving Williams a free agent.

Milton Keynes Dons On 16 March 2011, Williams signed for MK Dons. Despite making his name as a midfielder, he primarily as a centre-half for the club due to injuries and a small squad. At the end of the 2012–13 campaign, Williams was crowned the MK Dons Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year. During his time at Millwall he accumulated 290 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals.

Portsmouth On 25 June 2021, Williams signed for Portsmouth of League One. Williams was released after one season at the club.

Gillingham On 10 June 2022, Williams signed for League Two side Gillingham on a one-year contract, reuniting with his former Millwall manager Neil Harris. He made his debut for the Kent side on the opening day of the 2022–23 season in a 2–0 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon. He scored his first goal for Gillingham on 5 February 2023, the only goal in a 1–0 home victory over Crawley Town. On 28 April 2023 it was announced that Williams had signed a new contract with the Kent club. On 3 August 2023 he was named as Gillingham club captain ahead of the 2023–24 season.

On 15 May 2024, the club announced that he would be released in the summer when his contract expired.

Eastbourne Borough On 13 September 2024, Williams joined National League South club Eastbourne Borough. Williams announced his retirement on 3 February 2025.

International career He made his senior Republic of Ireland debut at the age of 31 in a 2–0 friendly loss against France in May 2018. Williams scored his first senior international goal for Ireland on 6 September 2018, after coming off the bench against Wales with a goal that was Ireland’s first ever goal in the UEFA Nations League. He made his third and final appearance for the national side in a 1–1 friendly draw to Poland on 11 September 2018.

Coaching career In May 2025, Williams was appointed first-team coach at Isthmian League Premier Division side Welling United.

International goals Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first. No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 6 September 2018 Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 1–4 1–4 2018–19 UEFA Nations League B

Career statistics

Honours Millwall EFL League One play-offs: 2017

Individual PFAI Team of the Year: First Division (2009), Premier Division (2010) PFAI Young Player of the Year: 2010 Milton Keynes Dons Player of the Year: 2012–13 Milton Keynes Dons Players' Player of the Year: 2012–13