Ashley Williams

Williams might not have had the opportunity to played a competitive game for LISCR FC, but his performances during the preseason never went unnoticed by Liberia U20 head coach, Christopher Wreh who called him to the team's training sessions ahead of the 2018 WAFU/FOX U-20 Tournament. He made the list of the provisional 25-players before making the final 18-man team for the tournament. He made his debut for the Liberia U20 on the opening day of the tournament with a spectacular performance in goal. Unfortunate for Williams', Liberia lost 3–0 to Ivory Coast U20 despite managing eight saves. Despite the defeat, he kept the confidence and helped the Liberia U20 bounced back to defeat with a 2–1 win. Liberia U20 qualified from the group stage to the semifinals with a 5–1 win over Sierra Leone U20. It was another match for the youngster that performed excellently in goal. Not only his goalkeeping skills, but Williams won the heart of the many fans with his perfect feet-work. He would control the ball perfectly and take on his opponents with his dribbling ability. On May 2, Williams kept a clean-sheet as Liberia beat Mali to reach the final of the 2018 WAFU/FOX U-20 Tournament.

LISCR FC succeeded in signing the left-back turned goalkeeper in 2015 and sent him to Gardnersville Football Club for development. The young goalkeeper was immediately given a place in the team upon his arrival after then Gardnersville Football Club first choice goalkeeper, Gabriel Okotie was promoted to LISCR FC. Despite his debut season in the second tier of Liberian football where he played against some top players, he managed to put out some brilliant performances which caught the attention of LISCR FC head coach, Tapha Manneh who invited him to train with LISCR FC during the first phase break of the 2016–17 Liberia First Division. After more than two weeks of intensive training sessions, Williams performances pleased Tapha Manneh who awarded him a place in the team. His promotion to LISCR FC saw Gibriel Okotie returning to Gardnersville Football Club as he became the third choice goalkeeper behind Tommy Songo and Prince Wlame.

Born in Monrovia, Montserrado County, Williams started playing football in his local community in Monrovia, Logan Town where he started playing as a defender. The young potential kid began his career at age 12 when he joined a local community team, Duke Football Club. He played at the Left-back position with the community club before joining another community youth club, Bassa Town Young Controller. He joined the club in 2014 and switch his position from playing at left-back to the goalkeeping position because of the club lack of goalkeeper. The decision to go in goal worked out for the then 14-year-old who performed excellently. He remained as a goalkeeper and led the club to playing in the third division league where he was spotted by Liberia First Division club, LISCR FC that showed interest in signing him for their feeder team, Gardnersville Football Club that plays in the second division of Liberian football.

Williams' early dream of becoming one of the best Liberian left-back had faded away as he found himself between the sticks. However, it was a good decision for him with his continuous improvement in goal. In three years, he excelled from the third division to the top tier of Liberian football playing for on the country's best club. It was another dream that came through for Williams but his playing time reduced with a strong competition with Tommy Songo and Prince Wlame. Two months after his promotion to LISCR FC, he made his debut in the Liberian Cup second round against Muscat FC. He played all 90 minute as LISCR FC and Muscat FC played to a 4–4 draw, a result which sent LISCR FC to the Liberian Cup third round with a 7–3 aggregate. He was part of the LISCR FC team that won the 2016–17 Liberia First Division with an unbeaten record and also won the Liberian Cup. His debut year with LISCR FC turned out to be a successful one with two major trophies. Ahead of LISCR FC 2018 CAF Champions League preliminary round games against Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman), he featured and played a key role in helping LISCR FC to win two preseason the LISCR Trust Tournament and the Liberia Diaspora Tournament which were preseason tournaments. He missed out making playing in the 2018 CAF Champions League after not being included in the 18-man squad for the LISCR FC 1–0 win at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium and the 3–0 defeat in the return leg at the Blue Jewel Stadium in Sudan.

Ashley Williams (born 30 October 2000) is a Liberian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for LISCR FC in the Liberian Premier League and the Liberia U20 National Football Team. Local fans have named him after German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer for his excellent goalkeeping skills and perfect ball control with his feet.