In-depth with former Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams – Den favourite on dropping into non-league and huge respect for Lions legend Neil Harris
EXCLUSIVE
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Shaun Williams has revealed he hopes to play until the age of 40 and that Millwall head coach Neil Harris helped fuel his desire to stave off retirement for as long as possible.
The former Republic of Ireland international, 37, recently signed for National League South club Eastbourne Borough.
It was Millwall’s former commercial director Alan Williams, now chief executive of the non-league outfit who initially got in touch with the experienced midfielder via striker Alfie Pavey, who came through the Lions academy and is part of the East Sussex club’s squad.
At the time Williams was on the same PFA pre-season training camp as former Lion Aiden O’Brien, who signed for Shelbourne in the League of Ireland Premier Division in August.
“I appreciated the offer (from Eastbourne) as they said I could come down and keep fit,” Dublin-born Williams, who joined Millwall from Milton Keynes in 2014, told the South London Press. “But I told them I was going to hang on and see if anything comes about.
“A couple of weeks went by and I was due to join Aiden in Ireland. Talks went on for a while with the manager and sporting director. It was all nailed on, ready to go, and at the last minute the board pulled out of the deal.
“My bags were packed and I was all ready. Their season finishes on November 1, so it was only going to be 10 weeks or so playing there – which I was looking forward to the idea, as they were going for the league title.
“That didn’t materialise, so I got on to Alan and went down – only with the idea of training.
“I trained on the Thursday and by that night they were trying to get me to sign.
“I’ve played two league games and a bit of an FA Cup game. I’ve been centre-mid in all of them and really enjoyed it.
“After the first match I had an option to go to the National League but it was not the right opportunity for me. I was happy with staying down south, as opposed to travelling the length of the country, for where I’m at in my career.
“In terms of the standard, it is the end-product and individual errors which add up a little bit more than higher up the leagues.
“I’ve been told by numerous people to play for as long as I can if you still enjoy it. Regardless of the level, it is nice to still be doing the sport that you love.”
Williams has got his UEFA A licence, which he started studying for while still on Millwall books.
“I haven’t moved on to my pro licence yet – I don’t think I’m ready for that full-on commitment,” he said. “I am doing an analytics course through the PFA, which is about broadening your skillset.
“A lot of the modern-day game is going down that route now and I’m trying to get ahead of the curve with knowledge.
“I think it ticks so many boxes regarding coaching and management. With sporting directors and technical directors there are so many roles out there. Every little helps.”
Williams featured 295 times for Millwall and won promotion from League One in 2017.
Harris, who returned to the Lions as head coach in February, was also in charge at The Den when they defeated Bradford at Wembley in the play-offs to clinch a Championship place.
The pair spoke in the summer, with Williams adding that Harris, Millwall’s all-time record goalscorer, was a “strong voice” in cementing his decision to play on.
“He is someone I hold in such high regard,” said Williams.
“I can’t thank him enough for giving me the opportunity to perform for him and getting the best out of me over the years.
“Clubs have more of a stigma over signing older players – by a certain age people in football look at you like you’re nearly dead.
“I think I speak on behalf of myself and some of the other lads I met over the summer that experience is going out the window – teams just want the sell-on factor and experience doesn’t count for much any more.
“I’ll probably try to get to 40, which is only two-and-a-half years away. As long as I feel willing, able and I’m contributing to the team then great – as soon as I don’t feel that then it is probably time to knock it on the head.
“Even though I have dropped down the levels, they do the right things. They have got the right infrastructure – stats-wise and recovery-wise.
“I played 90 minutes for the first time two weeks ago and I think I ran the second furthest in the team – and the team is quite young, nearly all in their 20s.
“You can’t stave off your age. Things ache a bit more, the older you get. I definitely feel it for longer spells. Then again you can put yourself in the right shape recovery wise. I don’t think I could still half-heartedly play if I didn’t do the right things. I’m still bang on it with my recovery.
“In my eyes I still play professional football, so I need to be professional.”
When Williams left Millwall in 2021 it was during the Covid-19 pandemic, denying him a proper farewell with no fans in attendance.
But in an unlikely turn of events his first outing for new club Portsmouth was an EFL Cup tie in SE16.
He played just over an hour in a 2-1 loss with Scott Malone and George Saville scoring for the hosts.
“I couldn’t believe it when the draw came out,” said Williams. “I’d picked up a back injury in the first game of the season, so I didn’t know whether I’d be able to feature.
“I tried to do the warm-up before the first league game, that would’ve been the Saturday, and I couldn’t carry on.
“Then it was ‘right, let’s focus on getting ready for Tuesday against Millwall’. The ovation I got when I left the pitch in the second half was a lovely moment for myself and my family.
“All things have to come to an end and it was a nice send-off.
“Millwall is the first result I check for on a Saturday. I still talk to quite a few of the lads and staff.
“I’ve taken the kids there now quite a lot, when I can. I still get the same feeling going back to The Den on a Saturday – it’s definitely part of our family now.”
Williams was at the 2-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday which saw the Lions end Joe Edwards’ short spell as boss.
Harris answered the SOS call to haul Millwall comfortably clear of relegation danger.
“I was a bit worried for them and then with Neil coming back – he galvanised the group,” said Williams. “His style of management – he gets the most out of the players that he has. They responded really well – it was a fantastic turnaround.
“He was definitely the best Millwall manager I worked with – just for the memories he made with the promotion and the FA Cup runs.
“Those memories last a lifetime.
“But as a person as well, I can’t speak highly enough of him – just the way he treats his players as individuals and not just another cog in the football wheel.
“He takes pride in getting to know different personalities. He is great to work with.”
PICTURES: BRIAN TONKS AND PA