Who Is Grace Williams? Newcastle Appoints New Director of Women’s Football

Newcastle United Women have confirmed the appointment of Grace Williams as their new Director of Women’s Football. The move is seen as another strong step in the club’s ambition to reach the Women’s Super League (WSL).

Who Is Grace Williams?

Williams is well known in English women’s football. She arrives from Crystal Palace, where she guided the club’s women’s side to a historic first promotion into the WSL. Her work at Palace showed her ability to build competitive teams with clear long-term planning.

Before her spell in South London, Williams spent over two years with Watford Women. During her time there, the Hornets secured promotion to the Championship in the 2020–21 campaign. Her leadership was praised for helping the team grow both on and off the pitch.

She also worked briefly with FA Wales, where she played a key role in reorganising the domestic women’s football system. That experience gave her valuable insight into football development at a national level.

Later, Williams joined Bristol City Women. Starting as Operations Manager, she quickly rose to become the club’s General Manager. Under her watch, Bristol City achieved promotion back to the WSL, proving her consistent impact across different clubs.

Speaking about her new role at Newcastle, Williams said she was proud to join a team with such high ambitions. “This club has a clear vision for success. It felt like the perfect fit for me. I can’t wait to build on the strong foundations already in place,” she shared.

Her appointment comes at an important time for Newcastle United Women. The WSL is set to expand to 14 clubs by the 2026/27 season. That means more promotion places will be available, giving Newcastle a real chance to rise.

The Magpies have also been active in the transfer market. This summer, they signed experienced midfielder Jordan Nobbs, the player with the most appearances in WSL history. Other arrivals include Jemma Purfield, Molly Pike, and Aoife Mannion, who add both depth and quality to the squad.

With Williams’ proven track record and Newcastle’s strong recruitment, expectations are high. The team will open their season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, September 7th, and fans believe a serious promotion push is now within reach.