In Jim Main's series, 'Swan Songs', on great players from the past, this week he talks to Billy Williams...
Born: September 13, 1925
Played: 1945-51
Games: 124
Goals: 180

Although he might be one of the Swans’ oldest past champions, Billy Williams sings the club theme song with more gusto than most.

The 85-year-old relishes any chance to break into “cheer, cheer the red and the white” - whether that be for a Swans’ victory, at a club function, or at the inaugural Swans Hall of Fame ceremony in 2009, where he was inducted.

And of that induction, Williams is as proud as a peacock. “It is one the greatest honours anyone could bestow on me, to be up there with all the champions of the club,” he said. “I have loved the club from the time I pulled on the red and white.”

Yet, remarkably, Williams was a reluctant Swan recruit and originally wanted to play with Essendon alongside great mate and champion rover Bill Hutchison.

The two met while students at Footscray Technical School but, while Hutchison made his debut with Essendon in 1942, Williams was tied residentially to South Melbourne while playing with Spotswood.

Williams made no less than four clearance applications, but South knew how good he was and refused to buckle, even though the clever rover stood out of football in 1944.

Williams eventually relented and made his debut in a match against Collingwood in 1945 and held his place in the side for the Grand Final loss to Carlton at Princes Park.

Unfortunately, Carlton captain Bob Chitty knocked Williams out cold in the match now known as “the bloodbath” Grand Final.

It was the closest Williams went to winning a premiership with the Swans, but he did win three best and fairest awards - in 1946-47 and 1950.

He also was one of the Swans’ happiest supporters when the club won the 2005 premiership and, naturally, burst into chorus after chorus of the theme song.

“I never thought I would see it as we went through so many lean times,” Williams confessed. “But the past few years have given me tremendous football thrills, with the flag, my selection in the Swans’ Team of the Century and the Hall of Fame induction. It’s just been too wonderful for words.”

The diminutive Williams, just 168cm and 68kg in his playing days, has deserved all his club honours as he was an exceptional talent.

He was quick (think of Lewis Jetta), skilful (think of Nick Davis) and courageous (think of Paul Kelly). And he could play as a rover or on a wing in an era in which players specialised in one position.

Williams played most of his games with the Swans as a rover, but played all his nine games for Victoria on a wing.

Williams played his last game with the Swans in 1951, just before his twenty-sixth birthday. He was appointed captain-coach of VFA (now VFL) club Williamstown and, after spending two years with the Seagulls, moved to country club Pyramid Hill, where he and wife Maureen ran the local pub.

Williams eventually retired after 25 years as a publican and maintained his involvement with the Swans as a committeeman with the Past Players and Officials Association.

Son, Rodney, played three games with the Swans over the 1967-68 seasons and Billy Williams now spends much of his winter weekends watching teenage grandsons Bryce and Grant play for Williamstown juniors.

Williams is hoping he is well enough to attend the club’s Hall of Fame dinner at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on April 30 but, if not, will be there in spirit - and singing “cheer, cheer”.

Tickets are still available for the Swans Hall of Fame dinner on Saturday April 30, and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 02 9339 9213.