City 'legend' Williams dies

Tributes have been pouring in following the death of one of South Africa's finest soccer players, who died last week at the age of 77.

Lionel Williams, who hit the headlines when he was first picked to play for Natal and then South Africa as a defender in the early 1950s, came into his own when he became a professional and joined Durban City when the National Football League was formed in 1959.

It was a team built by legendary soccer chairman Norman Elliott and went on to dominate the NFL for two decades, their rivalry with Durban United, Highlands Park and other top teams producing classic matches at Hoy Park and then New Kingsmead, which was later demolished to make way for the Moses Mabhida Stadium in time for next year's 2010 World Cup.

Danny le Roux, a lifelong friend of Williams, who was with him in the City team of 1959 until 1962, yesterday paid tribute to a player he has known since they first met in 1950.

"We both started our careers playing for that great amateur club Queens Park in 1950. We used to play at Albert Park. He was full back and right half and I was on the right wing and we combined fantastically.

"I remember when, in 1958, I had joined Arsenal in the English First Division and Lionel got picked to play for South Africa on a tour of England. They played all the top teams and did very well. He played many times for SA.

"Lionel was, without doubt, one of the classiest defenders in the country and I have no doubt he would have been among the world's best had he gone overseas. I remember clearly a game in 1952 when Newcastle toured South Africa. They had just won the FA Cup and played a Natal team at the Oval in Pietermaritzburg. They had a fantastic winger called Bobby Mitchell and Lionel marked him out of the game. Afterwards Bobby came up to Lionel and told him that he was the toughest opponent he had played against,"said Le Roux.

Le Roux said that Williams's strengths was his anticipation, ability to head the ball well and his passing.

"I don't think I ever saw a pass go astray, unlike today's players," said Le Roux, who is still a fanatical Arsenal supporter.

"Lionel could also come up with some great goals and in one match against Callies he hit a screamer from about 40 yards. He was good with both feet."

Williams is yet another member of the famous Durban City sides to have died. Others who have passed away are Les Salton, Bobby Howe, Richie Moffatt and Marty Deetlifs.

The funeral for Williams, who is survived by three sons, takes place at the Assumption Parish, corner of ZK Mathews (Nicholson) Rd and Sphiwe Zuma (Queen Mary) Ave, at 11am on Wednesday.