Ryan Williams has disclosed he lost his passion for football following his Portsmouth departure to Oxford United, requiring a return to Australia to rediscover his love for the game just 12 months later.
The Australia international winger departed Fratton Park in summer 2021, joining Oxford United on a free transfer under manager Karl Robinson for a two-year contract. This marked his second stint at the Kassam Stadium, having previously spent a loan period there from Fulham during 2013-14.
However, the reunion proved deeply problematic, with Williams eager to depart within six months of arriving.
‘I hated it that much’
Williams explained his struggles: “Staying at Pompey wasn’t meant to be, then I went to Oxford, fell out of love for football, and ended up going back to Australia to fall back in love with it again”.
The winger described the daily commutes from his Knowle home to Oxford as particularly challenging, alongside frustration at being deployed in various unfamiliar positions. Initially starting as a right winger in his debut against Cambridge United, where he registered an assist, Williams found himself shifted to right-back due to injuries.
Following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Wimbledon where he acknowledged a poor individual performance, Williams was subsequently sidelined for approximately two months. “I just thought ‘What am I doing?’. I resented Karl Robinson and played in positions I didn’t want. I almost went back to Australia in January because I hated it that much,” he admitted.
Australian revival
Williams departed Oxford in June 2022, midway through his contract, completing 36 appearances and scoring twice. Perth Glory secured his services for an undisclosed fee, marking his return to his birthplace after 12 years in English football.
During his Perth stint, Williams featured in 24 of 26 A-League matches, netting four goals as the club finished ninth. In July 2023, he transferred to Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC.
“Luckily I managed to get away from Oxford and was back enjoying my football again,” Williams reflected. “Getting away from Oxford and moving back to Australia was probably the best thing that could have happened.”
The 30-year-old remains with Bengaluru, helping secure fourth place this season and reaching the Indian Super League final, which they lost 2-1 to Mohun Bagan SG in April.
