Mike Williamson

Early career

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Williamson grew up supporting Port Vale. Having joined the academy of Torquay United, he went on to play six first-team games before joining Southampton in November 2001 for an initial fee believed to be in the region of £100,000. However, Williamson was unable to get into the first team at Southampton. He returned to Plainmoor on loan for two months in September 2003, where he made 11 further appearances. A further loan spell at Doncaster Rovers—then Third Division leaders—followed on transfer deadline day in March 2004, although he did not feature for the South Yorkshire club.

Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe Wanderers manager Tony Adams secured Williamson's services on a season-long loan in July 2004, a move that was made permanent at the end of the 2004–05 season. Williamson made the number 6 shirt his own from the start of the 2005–06 season. In total, he made 144 league appearances for Wycombe, scoring 11 league goals during his time at the club.

Watford

After a few consistent seasons he signed for Watford on 26 January 2009 for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He handed in a transfer request on 27 August 2009, declaring himself unfit for the away game at Swansea City on the Saturday and not travelling with the squad.

Portsmouth

On 1 September 2009, Watford accepted a £2 million offer, potentially rising to £3 million, from Premier League team Portsmouth. He…

Gateshead

Williamson was appointed as player-manager of Gateshead on 11 June 2019 with Ian Watson as his assistant, after the club's demotion to the National League North. His side were in eighth, two points off the playoffs, when the season was abandoned in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After picking up a maximum 12 points from four games in December 2021, seeing his side in the promotion picture, Williamson was awarded the National League North Manager of the Month. On 2 May 2022, in the penultimate match of the 2021–22 season, a 2–2 draw with Chorley saw Gateshead crowned champions and promoted back to the National League, three years after their demotion. Williamson was later named National League North Manager of the Season. In the 2022–23 season, Williamson guided Gateshead to a 14th-place finish in the National League and a place in the 2023 FA Trophy final, but lost 1–0 to FC Halifax Town. He left Gateshead in October 2023 with the club in 6th position in the National League.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 17 October 2023, Williamson was appointed manager of League Two club Milton Keynes Dons with the club in 16th position. On 11 January 2024 he was named the EFL League Two Manager of the Month for December following a perfect month of results in which the club achieved 12 points from four games, returning them to play-off contention. Williamson went on to lead the club to a fourth place play-off finish, but was defeated 8–1 on aggregate over two…

As a player

Torquay United

Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 2003–04 Wycombe Wanderers

Football League Two third-place promotion: 2008–09 Newcastle United

Football League Championship: 2009–10 Individual

Newcastle United Player of the Year: 2013–14

As a manager

Gateshead

National League North: 2021–22 FA Trophy runner-up: 2022–23 Individual

National League North Manager of the Month: December 2021 National League North Manager of the Year: 2021–22 EFL League Two Manager of the Month: December 2023