Malick’s John-Williams creates a stir
By Nigel Simon (Trinidad Guardian)Former Malick Senior Comprehensive midfielder Michael John-Williams has created quite a name for himself during his four-year stint at the Western Michigan University.
Although John-Williams, a member of the FC Santa Rosa club and his Western Michigan teammates saw their 2005 campaign end with a 5-0 setback to third-ranked Arkon University in a semifinal match of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, it was a good season for the Broncos.
Unfortunately, they met a team playing at the top of their game as the top-seeded Zips scored three times in the first half and added a pair in the second to improve to 17-1-1 on the season.
John-Williams’ team entered the contest with a three-match win streak, having defeated Bowling Green in quarterfinal in Kalamazoo to advance to the semifinals.
Prior to his departure for Western Michigan, John-Williams who majored in business and played the midfield or striker position was a two-time College League winner at Malick after he transfered there to do his A-Level exams from EL Dorado Senior Comprehensive.
Back then Malick posted 14-1-2 record en route to the league championship and also claimed the North Zone title.
In his first year at Malick in 1999, the team was second in the zonal competition and reached the national semifinals.
In the USA though, John-Williams’ stay at Western Michigan was hampered by injuries.
Over his final season he played in 14 matches, starting only three times.
Last season, the sturdy striker appeared in 10 matches, earning one starting assignment after missing majority of the campaign because of injury.
He concluded the year with one goal, a one-time volley from 35-yards which earned a draw against Michigan State and was subsequently named man of the match.
In 2003, John-Williams who has two younger brothers (Joseph and Gerard) who play in the Secondary Schools Football League started nine of 10 matches before also missing the rest of the year with a knee injury.
He had netted three goals up to the point of his injury after making his season debut in the opening match.
The three goals came in one match in a 3-2 win to be named “MAC” “Player of the Week” for his performance against Western Kentucky.
Back in 2002, John-Williams, of D’Abadie earned seven starts in 17 appearances and concluded that season with one assist.
He made his Bronco debut as a starter in the season’s opener against Florida Atlantic and assisted on WMU’s fifth goal in a 6-1 triumph over Iona.
His parents, Gregory and Carol John-Williams seemed to have had a telling impact on his career.
After a below-standard performnace in his studies, mom Carol decided that it was time for John-Williams to slack off the football and get more serious with his class-work.
He responded with great authority and after obtaining his six O’Level passes he transfered to Malick to do his Sixth Form studies.
Carol said: “Everyone was saying that he should not go to Malick, but he did it against all the odds and we were pleased with his performance.”
It also seems that sports plays a big part of the family as apart from brother Joseph (goalkeeper at San Juan Senior Comprehensive) and Gerard (El Dorado Senior Comprehensive), Michael has a sister, Mary, who is on the track & field team at the University of Tulsa.
