Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic gives 24 year old Brandon Williams a surprise football lifeline after avoiding jail.
The Tigers head coach Sergej Jakirovic is giving Williams a second chance to prove himself for a contract at the MKM Stadium.
He played 20 minutes in a 2-1 pre-season win over Sunderland, Williams, who faced a suspended jail sentence for dangerous driving in May, is on trial with the club.
‘Everybody deserves a second chance.’
Watch: @HullCity Head Coach Sergej Jakirović tells me Brandon Williams has been training with the club for the last week and they will take their time on deciding on whether or not to sign him. #hcafc pic.twitter.com/3SgQJK8SSf
— Arif Ahmed (@ArifAhmedITV) July 30, 2025
Brandon Williams set for sentencing after admitting to dangerous driving in 99mph crash
In May 2025, Williams received a 14-month suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving and driving without insurance after reaching speeds of nearly 100mph (161km/h) in an Audi A3, leading to a crash on the A34 near Handforth, Cheshire, on August 20th, 2023.
The collision involved a Ford Fiesta, causing extensive damage and injuries, including whiplash and psychological trauma to the Fiesta’s occupants.
Williams and his passenger were seen with yellow balloons, suggesting nitrous oxide use, though he was not under its influence.
He was banned from driving for three years, ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, and expressed remorse for his “stupid” and “ostentatious” driving.
Released by Manchester United in 2024, Williams is a free agent but working to rebuild his career and mental health.
“I like to help people because everyone deserves a second chance in life,” Sergej said to Hull Live.
“I spoke with him very honestly, and I explained to him what I expect from him. We will be very careful, very, very slow. We have time, so we will try to help him.
“I think the quality is there because he was on a high level at Man United, so his quality is there. We need him to bring good fitness, and then we will make a decision. For me, his mentality is good. From our conversations, he’s a very normal guy.
“He just asked me yesterday (Monday), ‘can I play?’ and then I asked him, ‘do you feel comfortable to play some minutes?’
“His desire is there, and so is the hard work. On Saturday, we left here here in Hull to carry on training and so far, everything has gone according to the plan.”
In April 2025, Brandon Williams spoke in an interview with Ben Foster. He discusses personal struggles that led to a break from football. After a stint at a club from August to January, off-field issues with family and friends caused a loss of passion for the game.
Advised by a coach to return to Manchester, the player’s problems intensified, leading to isolation and a six-month hiatus from training.
Fellow friends intervened, reconnecting him with a coach, and despite physical setbacks, he resumed training and wanted to join a team for pre-season.
Brandon reflects on falling out of love with football, dealing with betrayal, and the pressures of fame, but support from a psychologist helped during dark times.
He spoke about learning to set boundaries and focus on football moving forward. Have a watch of the 10 minute interview below…
Here’s how fans reacted as Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic gives Brandon Williams a surprise football lifeline after avoiding jail…
@owen150x: get him signed.
@bmt_hcafc: So refreshing to have what seems to be a brutally honest head coach. No sugar coating, no beating around the bush. This man deserves the hype he’s getting imo. As for Williams, if the wages are right and his fitness is good (seems to be) then could be a canny signing ✅ #hcafc
@ApeX_bn: Young lad made mistakes off the pitch but looks to be focused again sign him up #hcafc
@NickWBA1993: I thought he had been training with us the past week? Odd maybe it was the youth player williams on the bench on the weekend and wires have been crossed somewhere #wba
@Powl87Jp: Don’t mind that. There’s a player in there and stil young. Win win.
@PhilBarker6: I know it was only 20 minutes but I thought he looked good in that time, especially when you consider he hasn’t played a game for 2 years.
@AshleyBailez94: Played well for the 20 I saw him last night, yes he’s done some stupid stuff with driving but there’s a player in there plus he can play RB as well
@angel_high9: Also believe in second chances, lets hope he can get the best out of Brandon.
@BigInTheRing: It’s alright because we don’t need to pay him in cash we can pay him in smart whips.
@BenStrodder: Didn’t get as much of a go as I’d expected, I think he’ll likely play a bit more against Getafe. Personally I’d go for him regardless
@JustHxpz: He’d be a solid signing regardless and a even better one as a free agent, looks like he’s not missed a year and half at all. Would love for him to come in at LB and have a consistent run in the team too
@ClinkClinkFizz: Can’t put pressure on the lad it must be nerve wracking after 2 years out of the game, everybody deserves a second chance.
@NotArabTomTom1: Solid 15 min performance, but need to see a bit of a longer stint against Getafe personally
@Draco_aod: Looks composed. Wouldn’t guess he’d been out for as long as he has. Think he has a solid point to prove 🫡
@Leightonharri23: Id give him 45 mins on Saturday before we decide. Looked alright in his little cameo but not enough to decide
@hcityafc: I’d give it another game
@jimwatson50: He kept it simple. Not really much to go on.
@alanrparkinson: Had a promising career with Man U but his personal life leaves some questions. Hopefully he’s grown up a lot and get his career back on track. Could be a very shrewd capture. 🐅
@PhysioPeck: I’d like to see more of what he has to offer on the ball, overall looked good though. Wouldn’t mind seeing him get a semi consistent run in the squad
@luke_henryy: Good player. Glad we’re offering someone like him a trial
@joeullcity: Didn’t have the ball much but looked alright
@cool_guyy629: Thought he was quite comfortable would be a good backup
@RealLordOfHull: Looked comfortable with the ball and was willing to get stuck in also considering he hast played for over a year he didn’t show any rust. Depending on wage demands I’d take him.
@richardlutkin: Think he’d be valuable… hateee right footed players at LB but still would be good backup
@BaileyBarratt03: Absolutely world class , sign him up
@LennonWallis: Did what was needed to do can’t really complain I’d deffo sign him up if he stays fit
@jamesmarr5: Can Play both sides I’d take him as a back up long as his head is screwed on
@Fergo88888: Gotta be better then Jacobs. Jacobs has the pace of a dead dog
@JustHxpz: People saying they’d take him as backup are crazy😂😂 he’s better than Giles Drameh and Coyle at either side😂
@flarey_2: positive, i think he’d be good cover
