THE LITTLE AUSSIE BATTLER
A 1950’s vintage rover with Chelsea, Tommy finished playing at a young age to concentrate on raising a young family with wife Gene. He fathered two sons, Paul and Shane, both of whom would play for the club in later years. Paul won a senior Best & Fairest in 1971 whilst Shane would later make his name as a football trainer who developed the cooling jackets used by AFL teams.
On request from Ray Stuart, Tommy assumed the Presidency in August 1978 as the club was languishing near the bottom of the ladder. Ray sought Tommy out to ask him the question and located him at the Chelsea pub. Typically, he was helping others by operating a BBQ to raise funds for cancer research at the time.

Tom took one day to consider the request and responded with “I’m in!” This heralded a wonderful period of success for the club both on and off the field. At his first meeting, Tom declared that under his leadership the club would never again finish down the bottom of the ladder. “We will always be finals contenders.” During his reign, the club finished in the finals on eight occasions for six Grand Final appearances and three flags.
But on-field performance was only a part of the equation. He engineered many improvements to the clubrooms including the refurbishment of the décor in the lower part of the building and the construction of the upstairs ‘Tom Williams Social Rooms’ which were officially opened by Prime Minister Bob Hawke on 18th April, 1987.

Tommy returned to the fray in 1997 when the Club was in financial difficulties and, once again, provided the leadership needed to guide them through a difficult period.
Tommy had a magic about him that simply absorbed all of those around him. With seemingly unlimited energy and an infinite source of ideas, he provided challenges which inspired everyone to contribute willingly. He was straight talking, honest, sincere and at the same time, jovial, happy and generous to a fault. He loved people and they loved him. The respect and admiration was mutual and the club benefited in all manner of ways. Tom Williams was an inspired choice as President and gave the club so much more than could ever have been anticipated. His positive influence was a key factor in Chelsea’s resurgence as a power club during the eighties.

PURE BLISS

Tommy Williams was never happier than winding up a few hours of club work with a ‘coupla quiet ones’ with the boys at the bar. He loved a good laugh and really looked forward to his ‘trips away’ with the boys.
 
RAY STUART