In honor of Black History Month, the Richmond Kickers are excited to celebrate Black club icons. In this edition, I spoke with club legend and fan-favorite, William Yomby about his storied career with the Kickers, why he calls Richmond home, his perspective on racism in football, and I ask him some questions submitted by the fans.
A man whose smile and passion managed to be bigger than his 6-foot-4 frame, Yomby was a Cameroonian international in the central defense for the Richmond Kickers, racking up 247 appearances with the club from 2009 through 2018. In his first year with the Kickers, the club won the 2009 USL Second Division championship, and he was awarded the league Defensive Player of the Year (POTY). He would go on to be a finalist for Defensive POTY for the next several years and a six-time USL All-League First Team defender.
Before his time with the Kickers, Yomby played for several teams: Virginia Beach Mariners, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), and the Puerto Rico Islanders. He also managed to make 10 appearances with the Cameroonian national team. Every match he played with other teams would never reach half the appearances Yomby made with the Kickers — the place he calls, “home.”
During his professional playing career, Yomby wanted to extend his love and passion for the game by sharing his knowledge and wisdom as a coach. He was the Director of Operations for VCU Men’s Soccer team while still playing with the Kickers, along with coaching in the Kickers Youth Club. Once he hung up his cleats, he would start coaching at his alma mater Old Dominion University where he continues to coach young players and live his passion through the joy younger players get from the game.
I hope you enjoy this exclusive, in-depth, video interview with the Richmond legend himself, William Yomby.
