• Strong running
• Good eye for the ball
• Good passing

• Injury-prone
• Does not contribute much in defence
• Limited Premiership experience

A strong-running right-footed attacking midfielder, he liked to play in a central position but was equally at home on the right-hand side.  Harry Redknapp made no secret of his wish to bring Williamson's talents onto the Premiership stage early on but, with the abundance of experienced midfield quality available, the Hammers' boss struggled to accommodate him.  Danny's defensive qualities were pretty non-existent; he had a tendency to be a bit anonymous when under the cosh.  His redeeming feature was his eye for the quick early ball and his ability to get on the end of things.

In the 1996-97 season, the talented youngster should have featured prominently in The Hammers' battle to stay in the Premiership, playing in his preferred central midfield role.  Unfortunately, he did his ankle in and missed a lot of that season.  When he came back, he looked great during West Ham's 2-1 win at home to Chelsea but went off after 20 mins with a recurrence of the injury. 

In August 1997, he moved to join Everton as another one of Howard Kendall's potentially significant young finds, needed to add creativity and strength to the injury-prone midfield.  But unfortunately, Danny Williamson simply continued his propensity for injury.  After playing in just 17 matches, he picked up an injury against Wimbledon in December 1997 that kept him out for the rest of his first season at Goodison, and for the entire 1998-99 season... and then the complete 1999-2000 season... until it was eventually conceded that he would never play again.

Feb 11, 1999: Everton thought the problematic damage to his foot ligaments was now repaired as forgotten midfielder Danny Williamson made a significant breakthrough in his injury hell by training with the first team for the first time in 13 months.  The former West Ham star underwent career-saving surgery on a foot injury in August 1999 and had stepped up his training ahead of schedule.  Williamson was hoping to play for the reserves within the next fortnight and said: "It is an enormous relief.  It has been a nightmare year; an incredibly hard year and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone."

"It has been the hardest year of my life.  I was at a new club.  I only played 17 games, then I got injured and the manager who signed me was then sacked.  I have had no family or friends with me and it has been a terrible experience."

The 25-year-old continued: "But the whole thing has made me stronger and more determined.  Hopefully, I can get through this and rebuild my career.  It is just brilliant to train again. Now I have to prove myself all over again."

March 1999: Sadly, Danny experienced some discomfort in his original foot injury, and went back into the treatment room, missing the rest of the season.

August 1999: Danny was finally back in training, and looking to play some competitive football after his long, long layoff.

October 1999:  Danny went to Munich so that Dr Hans Muller Wohlfahrt could prognosticate on his long-standing foot problem.

November 1999:  Danny Williamson makes a second trip to German foot doctor Hans Muller Wohlfahrt in an effort to cure his long-term injury. 

April 2000: Everton were reported to have lost patience with Danny Williamson who has suffered terrible injury problems since he made just 17 appearances in prior to Wimbledon (h) in December 1997.   His contract was terminated at the end of September 2000 – 9 months early.  The main injury was a growth on his heel which required surgery.  He started training again and was thought to be close to a comeback when the same problem occurred on the other foot.

Last updated: 01 December 2008