Austin Aztex News Release – www.austinaztex.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
AUSTIN, TX — Ex-Watford and Stoke City striker Gifton Noel-Williams has agreed to a two-year deal with the Austin Aztex FC, the club announced today.
Noel-Williams has an impressive resume. He played for the English national team at various stages early on in his career. At 16 years old he began his professional career playing at Watford. Two seasons later Noel-Williams led Watford in scoring as the team was promoted to the Premiership. He scored 33 goals for Watford before moving to Stoke City in 2003.
While at Stoke, the 6’3” striker led The Potters in scoring two consecutive seasons (2003-05), where he found the net a total of 23 times. He continued his career at Burnley before moving to Spain to play for second flight Real Murcia, helping lead the club to La Liga before joining Elche. He began the 2008-09 campaign with Millwall in League 1, but has spent most of the season with fellow League 1 club Yeovil Town on loan.
Aztex president and team owner Phil Rawlins, who is also part owner and on the board of directors at Stoke City, said the signing of Noel-Williams is a significant event for the Aztex.
“I expect him to be a ‘franchise’ player for us and to make a significant contribution to our team’s development,” Rawlins said. “Gifton has 10 years experience playing at the very highest level in both England and Spain and that experience and leadership will be invaluable to us both on and off the field. I am absolutely delighted that he has agreed to join us.”
The English-born center-forward, who will join the Aztex in February for pre-season training, agreed.
“I am very happy about this move. It comes at the right time for me in my career. I am still only 28 and have my best years ahead of me as a striker. The chance to join (head coach) Adrian (Heath) and Phil in Austin is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It’s very exciting to be in at the beginning of something new, where I feel I can make a big contribution.”
| Year | Team | League (Tier) | Games | Goals |
| 1996-1997 | Watford | England Second Division (3) | 25 | 2 |
| 1997-1998 | Watford | England Second Division (3) | 40 | 7 |
| 1998-1999 | Watford | England First Division (2) | 26 | 10 |
| 1999-2000 | Watford | England Premier League (1) | 3 | 0 |
| 2000-2001 | Watford | England First Division (2) | 32 | 8 |
| 2001-2002 | Watford | England First Division (2) | 29 | 6 |
| 2002-2003 | Watford | England First Division (2) | 16 | 0 |
| 2003-2004 | Stoke City | England Championship (2) | 42 | 10 |
| 2004-2005 | Stoke City | England Championship (2) | 46 | 13 |
| 2005-2006 | Burnley | England Championship (2) | 29 | 2 |
| 2005-2006 | Brighton (loan) | England League 1 (3) | 7 | 2 |
| 2006-2007 | Burnley | England Championship (2) | 23 | 5 |
| 2006-2007 | Real Murcia | Spain Segunda (2) | 10 | 4 |
| 2007-2008 | Elche CF | Spain Segunda (2) | 21 | 5 |
| 2008-2009 | Millwall | England League 1 (3) | 1 | 0 |
| 2008-2009 | Yeovil Town (loan) | England League 1 (3) | 8 | 0 |
