Educated Newport Intermediate School. Started as Association footballer but switched to rugby. Stanley played for Newport RFC from 1904-05 until 1910-11. Commenced playing as wing but was a real success when switched to fullback. Welsh trialist and reserve but never capped. British Lion 1910 to South Africa. The Rugby Union invoked Newport's Rugby Union membership and he was capped for England against Wales in January 1911. Won 4 caps Jan-March 1911.
In early 1911 The Times published an article by C. Stewart Caine regarding the controversial selection of Stanley Williams to play for England. This followed their reports on 12th December 1910 regarding the England v South trial where "At back S. H. Williams showed himself to be good enough for any side, his fielding being remarkable." and on 19th December 1910 on England v North at Leeds, where "... Williams's defence and fine touch-kicking also contributed to the ultimate success of England by keeping down the North score. His touch-kicking was remarkable for its judgement, the ball invariably crossing the line just as its flight was spent." However they reported on 11th January 1911 that Haley (Pill Harriers) had been chosen at back for the Welsh Trial at Cardiff where "The decision of Williams to assist England is causing much unfavourable comment in South Wales, but in Newport sympathy appears to be with him."
Caine's article ran as follows:-
"The Welsh Protest"
"A rather nice point is raised in the protest of the Welsh Union against the action of the Rugby Union in playing Stanley Williams, the Newport full back, in the English International trial game. As a general principle, there is certainly much to be said for the contention of the Welsh authorities inasmuch as Williams was born in Monmouthshire, of Welsh parents, educated locally, and has never played for an English club, the Principality is entitled to first claim upon his services. Although strictly speaking, an English county, Monmouthshire, for football purposes, has always been considered as in Wales, and, therefore, Williams must be regarded as a purely Welsh product. On the other hand, the Rugby Union Selection Committee were well within their rights in picking a man born in England and playing for a club affiliated to the Rugby Union - as Newport has been for a great many years past. Strong objection, however, may very well be taken by the Rugby Union at the course pursued by the Welsh authorities in delaying their protest until so late in the day. Williams was chosen for the South against England late in November, and the time to protest was clearly the moment his name was announced. Williams's appearance for the South, however, aroused no objection from the Welsh Union, nor did his inclusion in the ranks of the England team against the North."
"Now, however, on the eve of the third and final of the England International trials this question is raised, and Williams is offered a place in the Welsh International trial. Such belated action on the part of the Principality is scarcely sportsmanlike. Had exception to Williams's selection been taken at the end of November someone else could have been chosen for the South team and the qualification of that player been duly weighed with those of Johnston and, if necessary, a further selection made for the other trials. As matters stand, Williams has come through a severe ordeal with so much credit that up to the time of the belated protest it is more than probable the English authorities had largely made up their mind to play him against Wales. Should the Rugby Union now give way on the matter the International trials are robbed of all value as an aid to selection of full back - a state of affairs eminently unfair to the English Selection Committee. If, as an outcome of this matter, the question of qualification for International matches is placed upon a more satisfactory basis there will be widespread satisfaction, but no one can reasonably urge that in raising the point of Williams's qualification at this late hour the Welsh Union have acted with either courtesy or consideration."
Williams did play for England, in a side beaten by Wales at Swansea by 15points to 11, The Times of 23rd Jan 1911 reporting "... S. H. Williams...found touch with great accuracy and length." "S. H. Williams was the hero of the match. He never made a mistake; he practically always found touch, yet the length of his kicking was always good, sometimes exceptionally so, while his tackling and his gathering of the ball were both as sure as possible."
Won Distinguished Service Order in World War I.
Working as an engineer Stanley was lost overboard on travelling home as a passenger with his wife and two children on the Royal Mail liner Arlanza bound from Montevideo to Southampton.