Fara Williams was born to do good and destined to be great.

With 172 international appearances to her name she is England’s most capped player of all time. But it was her time with Everton that saw Williams crowned as ‘Queen Fara’.

VERSUS: ‘Queen Fara’. Does it ever get old hearing that nickname?

‍Fara Williams: You know what, I actually didn’t know that was a nickname of mine when I was at Everton! When I first heard it I thought, “does it make me sound like a bit of a diva?”. Then I spoke with one of the girls who first gave me the nickname – I used to coach a few of the older players in Liverpool when I was working with Everton in the Community. And she told me they decided to call me that because of the amount of goals I scored for the club and what I helped them achieve at the time. It’s a really nice nickname to have and every now and then I actually remind people, “you know they used to call me Queen Fara?” 

‍That’s a really interesting point. For a lot of people nowadays, especially younger football fans, they recognise and know you as a pundit. It must be quite special to have moments like this then, where you’re being recognised for your on-pitch prowess and contributions to the game?

For sure! But you know what, it should be about this current crop of players and what they’re doing for the game right now. We’ve spoken a fair amount about my generation of players at times over the years, and even those before me, but it’s this generation who’ve put women’s football on the map. The Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022, for example. In a way, they’ve actually helped me to experience moments like today and be remembered for what I’ve done – something that wasn’t acknowledged at the time due to games rarely being televised or covered. I now get to re-showcase moments in my career, something I’m grateful for. 

‍You’re officially an FC Hero. What was your reaction when you were first told the news?

I was buzzing! More so for my nephews that play the game because they’re always telling me about the women’s players in their teams, how they get to play with this player and that player. So to see their faces when I told them I was going to be in the game, they were so excited! “What’s your rating!” was the first thing they said to me – they’re obsessed. They used to come and watch me play when they were younger but they’ve seen the women’s game transition and now get to play with so many WSL players via FC – they used to ask me, “why aren’t you in the game?”, and now they can finally play as their aunty. 

‍The introduction of women’s football to FC, as well as the game’s continued developments, have proven to be a really valuable education tool for wider football audiences. In your opinion, how important is it to welcome new fans to the women's game?

Of course it’s really important. In terms of what the game’s done for profiling women’s football and presenting it to new audiences, it’s massive. And it isn’t as if it’s solely building out the profile of English players either. I’ve heard my nephews talk about Fridolina Rolfö, her playing style and what positions she can play in. I asked them, “how do you know about her and how she plays?”, and it’s because they play the game religiously. The fact they can play with both their favourite men’s and women’s players is also great. We know that the games differ in real life and it isn’t feasible for men and women to play together, but by having both sets of players, teams, clubs etc. on the same platform, it allows people to learn about women’s football in the same vein as the men’s. 

I remember when people initially would question player ratings, “how can an ex-women’s player be rated the same as an ex-men’s player?” for example, and what the game has eventually made people realise is: this player has this rating because of how they perform(ed) compared to their fellow women’s players. People are understanding more about the context of women’s football as a separate entity from the men’s – the former isn’t dependent on the latter for growth. These are the superstars of the women’s game, and these are the superstars of the men’s. People used to be shocked or disheartened when they used to pack a women’s player, now they’re excited when they get a Lauren James or an Alexia Putellas. 

‍Or a Fara Williams!

Exactly!

‍Over the course of your career you’ve continued to excel and push for more. Whether it was at Everton, Liverpool or Arsenal. What does it take to consistently reach those levels of success?

I’m really glad you asked me that question because people ask me a lot, “what’s your biggest achievement in football?”, and for me, it’s staying at the top of the game for 23 years. I didn’t start at a lower level, I didn’t drop tiers at any point. I started my senior career playing for the best and ended it doing the same at 37-years-old. Even when it came to England, we had a lot of different managers and I was able to keep my place in the squad and more often than not in the Starting XI – something I’m really proud of. But as you’ve said, that doesn't happen without you wanting to get better each and every time you step onto the pitch. You should never settle for what you think you already know.

I remember when I signed for Reading and the manager, Kelly Cousins, said at the time: “we can’t give you all the money that Arsenal were giving you but we can improve you.” And that was something that excited me, and everyone questioned why I went to that club, but during my four years with Reading, I probably learned a helluva lot more technically about the game than anywhere else. I was already considered one of the most technically gifted players too, so the fact I got better, that was really important to me. I never wanted to stop learning, something I still say to young players even today. 

‍You were the first player to be inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame. You sit alongside the likes of Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney, Kelly Smith. Players and people who’ve built the English women’s game from the ground up. What has it been like to see the league grow and become recognised as the most competitive in the world?

They can’t take that off me can they! I’ve got that for life! It’s what the league was built for: we wanted all of the best players in the world to join the WSL and make it the most competitive in women’s football. The proof is in the pudding! Our national team is stronger as a result of how elite the league is. The issue now is, when it becomes so competitive players want a fresh challenge – that’s when you lose players to other leagues who are also working to be the best. Everyone wants to join a growing league because of the challenge. 

‍172 caps for England. I remember watching a video a few years ago where Lucy Bronze said to you: “nobody’s ever catching up to you Fara, not even me”. Do you ever think about that? The fact that possibly nobody will ever match your England caps.

This is not me being arrogant when I say this but…I think I should have had more. My international career was cut a little short in my opinion during that transition period of wanting to bring younger players through with Phil Neville. In terms of someone like Lucy, she is the most competitive person I’ve ever met. Whether it’s England caps or playing a game of cards. She will want to win. My caps will be on her radar and she’s fit enough to match or even better me. The amount of games they now play, she’ll be able to catch me up. We used to play something like eight a year if we were lucky, they play eight a month it feels like now! 

‍But the fact your legacy is pushing that team still. That’s something else Fara. 

Look, I’m an England fan. I want the girls to do well. At times, they can see and hear that I might be critical of them – which is my job now – it’s only because I know the levels they can operate at. They’re European champions and World Cup finalists. The levels have been set and I want them to keep pushing. And if I can continue to play a role in that, I am really proud. 

‍Who are some of the players you're excited about watching this season?

I am really looking forward to seeing Vivianne Miedema. Fresh from injury and the way things ended for her at Arsenal, she’s a player I admire – I think she’s unbelievable and City’s perfect for her. Linking up with Bunny Shaw, they’re going to be a serious threat. Mix that with what they can produce from the flanks in Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly, Miedema should do well this season. Grace Clinton as well, I am looking forward to seeing where she settles: is she going to stay with Manchester United? Sam Kerr is coming back from injury so that’ll be interesting, too. Alessia Russo’s in her second year with Arsenal and she’s a player I really like. She’s criticised for not scoring enough goals but in terms of her workrate and movements off the ball, her selfless runs, she’s a great player – I want her to hit double figures in 2024/25. Lauren James! She settled really well under Emma Hayes, so with that comfort blanket now gone, it’ll be intriguing to see how she performs – we all know what she’s capable of but can she keep herself fit and healthy on the pitch with a new manager this year? Let’s see how far a new manager, a serial winner by the way, can push her. 

‍If you had to recommend a women's player for someone to select in their Ultimate Team, who would it be and why?

Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema – if we’re talking WSL. Keira Walsh and Aitana Bonmati, they’re the players I really enjoy watching outside of English football, players who can control midfield. Argh! There’s just so many for people to choose from now! Beth Mead! 2021/22 Mead was unstoppable, and she’s back and fit. Alex Greenwood is one of the best defenders anyone could have in their team…I think I’ve made quite a decent recommendation or two there. What is really nice though, is people recognise who the star players are nowadays. My nephews won’t need their aunty to tell them who to put in their team, they’ll already know. 

‍Pre-order #FC25 Ultimate Edition by August 20 to get an Ultimate Team Hero at launch that will upgrade automatically from Origin to Prime on November 28.

In her time with The Toffees the former captain picked up two FA Women’s Premier League Cups and an FA Cup title. She scored 70 goals in 122 appearances, going down as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the side’s history. Williams later went on to claim back-to-back WSL titles with Liverpool and later picked up another FA Cup with Arsenal. And before hanging up her boots with Reading at the age of 37, this Queen played a crucial role in the Royals becoming known as a tour de force in the Women’s Super League.

The former midfielder spent 23 years, not just at the top of her game, but at the top of the game. Her on-pitch achievements were recognised by the FA when she became the first player to be inducted into the Barclays WSL Hall of Fame back in 2021. And only this week, FC commemorated Williams’ status as one of the best to ever step foot on a pitch by issuing her with her very own Hero card for FC 25.
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VERSUS sat down with ‘Queen Fara’ to talk about becoming an FC 25 Hero, what role the iconic video game plays in pushing women’s football forward and making the game a more inclusive space, and why Vivianne Miedema is the player she’s most excited to see play in the WSL this season.