Fern Whelan

Last updated

Fern Whelan
London Bees v Everton LFC, 20 May 2017 (013).jpg
Whelan in 2017
Personal information
Full name Gabriella Fern Whelan [1]
Date of birth (1988-12-05) 5 December 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Liverpool Feds
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2004–2005 Liverpool
2005–2014 Everton 22 (1)
2015–2017 Notts County 18 (2)
2017 Everton
2017–2019 Brighton & Hove Albion 23 (2)
International career‡
2011– England 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:05, 21 May 2017 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:05, 21 May 2017 (UTC)

Gabriella Fern Whelan (born 5 December 1988) [2] is an English former professional footballer who played for Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. [3] She previously played for both Liverpool and Everton in her native Merseyside and Notts County. She has represented England women's national football team at youth and senior level. A quick central defender, Whelan was named the FA Women's Young Player of the Year in 2008. [4]

Contents

Personal life

Whelan attended St Pascal Baylon School in Court Hey. [5] She was in a relationship with fellow footballer Aileen Whelan as of 2021. [6]

Club career

Whelan started playing football for her school's boys' team. [5] Her school teacher played for Liverpool Feds and signed Whelan up to play for their junior side. [5] She progressed to the Liverpool Ladies senior side before leaving to join Everton Ladies during the 2005 close season.

After playing in every round of the 2007–08 FA Women's Premier League Cup, Whelan missed Everton's 1–0 final win over Arsenal when she injured her cruciate ligaments in January 2008. [7] Despite missing half the season with the injury, she was named the FA Young Player of the Year for 2007–08. [2] [8]

In the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final, Whelan came on as a second-half substitute for Rachel Unitt as Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 in extra time. [9] After aggravating her previous knee injury, Whelan underwent surgery which saw her miss the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons. She declared a "brilliant feeling" in returning to the squad for 2014. [10] Whelan was a late substitute in Everton's 2–0 2014 FA Women's Cup final defeat by Arsenal. [11] When the 2014 season culminated in Everton's relegation, Whelan signed for Notts County on a two-year contract. [12]

In March 2017, Whelan agreed an extension to her Notts County contract, [13] only for the club to fold on the eve of the FA WSL Spring Series season. Instead she agreed to rejoin Everton on a free transfer. [14] She transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2017.

Whelan announced her retirement from professional football in October 2020, due to injury. [15]

International career

Whelan has represented England at Under-15, Under-19 (as captain), [16] Under-20 and Under-23 [17] levels. Whelan was named UEFA's "golden player" after inspiring England to the final of the 2007 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. [18] She recovered from a serious knee injury to captain England at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile in November 2008. [19]

National coach Hope Powell gave Whelan a first call-up to the senior England squad in October 2009, replacing Anita Asante who was withdrawn after the initial announcement of the squad. [20] In May 2011 Whelan received another senior call-up when Fara Williams withdrew from the squad for a home friendly with Sweden. She won her first cap as a late substitute for Casey Stoney in England's 2–0 win. [21]

Powell did not select Whelan for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, but she made her first competitive appearance in England's 4–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2013 qualifying win over Slovenia at the County Ground, Swindon on 22 September 2011. At the 2012 Cyprus Cup Whelan won another cap as England beat Switzerland 1–0. During the tournament she suffered a recurrence of her cruciate ligament injury and underwent surgery which kept her out for nearly two years, causing her to miss the 2012 Olympic Games and UEFA Women's Euro 2013. [22]

Whelan was allotted 177 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international. [23] [24]

Post-football career

As well as being a professional footballer, Whelan is a qualified physiotherapist. [25] [26] Following her retirement from football, Whelan became an executive for equality, diversity and inclusion in women's football at the Professional Footballers' Association. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Unitt</span> English footballer (born 1982)

Rachel Elizabeth Unitt is a former English footballer who last played for FA Women's Championship club London Bees. After beginning her club career with Wolves, Unitt began a long association with Everton in 2000. This was intersected by a three-year spell at Fulham between 2001 and 2004 and a summer on loan to New Jersey Wildcats in 2005. She left Everton in 2012 for a two-year stint at Birmingham City and later played for Notts County in 2014. A sturdy left back, Unitt has won over 100 caps for the England women's national football team since her debut in August 2000. She represented England at the 2001, 2005 and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship as well as at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011. She was ruled out of both the 2013 UEFA Women's Championship and the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics due to injury. In 2004 and 2006 Unitt was named The Football Association's (FA) International Player of the Year. In 2016, she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everton F.C. (women)</span> Football club

Everton Football Club is an English women's association football team based in Liverpool, England, that competes in the FA Women's Super League, the top division of English women's football. Formed in 1983 as Hoylake W.F.C., it is now part of Everton F.C. and has played home games at Walton Hall Park in Walton since February 2020. The team has won the Premier League National Division once, the Premier League Cup once, and the Women's FA Cup twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Chapman</span> English footballer (born 1982)

Katie Sarah Chapman is an English former professional footballer who notably played for FA WSL clubs Arsenal Ladies and Chelsea Ladies and was a member of the England women's national team. She primarily played as a central midfielder, although she was also deployed in central defence while playing for England. Chapman was described as "a physical player who handles a brunt of the dirty work in the middle of the pitch." Her playing ability, profile and influence have drawn comparisons to former England captain David Beckham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Brown-Finnis</span> English international association football goalkeeper

Rachel Brown is an English former football goalkeeper who played for Liverpool from 1995 to 1998, spent five years from 1998 playing varsity soccer for Alabama Crimson Tide and Pittsburgh Panthers in the US college system, and played for Everton from 2003 until 2014. She also spent the 2003 season on loan in the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild, playing for ÍBV. Since making her debut for the England women's national football team in 1997, Brown won over 80 caps. She understudied Pauline Cope in her first years with the national team, then served as England's first choice goalkeeper at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2009. Due to injuries, Brown was displaced in the team by Karen Bardsley for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was also selected in the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics. Brown was the goalkeeper on Channel Five's Superstars and is employed by Everton FC's Community Project. She married professional golf caddie Ian Finnis in 2013 and has since been known as Rachel Brown-Finnis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fara Williams</span> English footballer (born 1984)

Fara Tanya Franki Merrett, known professionally as Fara Williams, is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A consistent goalscorer and set-piece specialist, Williams was considered one of England's leading players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Handley</span> English footballer

Jody Handley is an English former footballer from Stafford, who most recently played for FA WSL 2 club Doncaster Rovers Belles. A pacy and intelligent attacking player, she featured as both a wide midfielder and striker for England as well as clubs including Wolves Women, Liverpool Ladies and Everton Ladies. She has featured in four FA Women's Cup finals with three clubs, losing the first three but captaining Everton Ladies to their win in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siobhan Chamberlain</span> English footballer, sports pundit, and commentator

Siobhan Rebecca Chamberlain is an English sports pundit, commentator, and former professional footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Bassett</span> English footballer

Laura Bassett is an English former football defender who represented England internationally. She played for FA WSL club Notts County, Birmingham City, Arsenal, Leeds Carnegie, Chelsea, and Australian W-League club Canberra United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Clarke (footballer)</span> English footballer

Jessica Anne Clarke is an English footballer who plays as a winger or forward for FA Women's Championship club Durham and the England national team. After beginning her career with hometown team Leeds United, Clarke joined Lincoln Ladies in 2010 and remained with the club when it re-branded as Notts County four years later. After six seasons at Notts County, Clarke signed for league rivals Liverpool in April 2017. Since making her senior England debut in 2009, Clarke has won over 50 caps. She has represented her country at two editions of the UEFA Women's Championship and at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Hill</span> English footballer (born 1988)

Danielle Marie Hill is a retired English football goalkeeper and currently the goalkeeping coach for the Blackburn Rovers of the FA Women's Championship. She retired in 2020 after a spell with Blackburn Rovers. Hill briefly played for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FA WSL 2. Born in Liverpool, she began her career with Everton Ladies and had a previous spell with Blackburn Rovers. She also played for ÍBV of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild and in Norway for Toppserien club Avaldsnes IL. She has represented England up to Under 23 level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Dowie</span> English footballer (born 1988)

Natasha Khalila Dowie is an English former footballer. She represented the England women's national football team at the youth level before making her senior international debut in 2009. Dowie played for the London teams Watford, Fulham and Charlton Athletic, and then spent five years with Everton before transferring to FA WSL clubs Liverpool Ladies in November 2012 and Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2016. She also spent three periods on loan with Melbourne Victory of the Australian W-League in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and played for Boston Breakers in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2016 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellen White (footballer)</span> English footballer (born 1989)

Ellen Toni Convery is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. She is the record goalscorer for the England women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jo Potter</span> English footballer and pundit

Josanne Potter is an English Association football Manager and former footballer who played as a midfielder, most recently for Reading. Originally a left-winger, she matured into a creative central midfield player. At club level Potter enjoyed three separate spells at Birmingham City Ladies and was noted for her crossing abilities and goalscoring record. She played in three FA Women's Cup finals – with Arsenal in 2004, Charlton Athletic in 2007 and Birmingham City in 2012. On the international stage, she often had to compete with Rachel Yankey and Sue Smith for a place on the left flank of the England team. After 2007 Potter worked as a BBC television football pundit. In June 2023, Potter was appointed the head coach of Rangers W.F.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Nobbs</span> English footballer

Jordan Nobbs is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Aston Villa. She previously played for Sunderland and Arsenal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Duggan</span> English footballer (born 1991)

Toni Duggan is an English former footballer who played as a winger or forward. During her career, she played in England for Everton and Manchester City, and in Spain for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jade Moore</span> English footballer

Jade Ellis Moore is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for USL Super League club Tampa Bay Sun FC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Carter (footballer)</span> English footballer

Danielle Carter-Loblack is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Championship club London City Lionesses and the England national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Greenwood</span> English footballer (born 1993)

Alex Greenwood is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Manchester City, whom she captains, and the England national team. Primarily a left-sided defender, she plays as both a centre-back and a left-back. Greenwood began her senior career at Everton, Notts County and Liverpool, before playing for Olympique Lyonnais and winning Division 1 and the Champions League with the club. She also captained Manchester United, winning the Championship in their inaugural season. Greenwood is known for her tackling, positional play and passing; as a left-footed player she is a set-piece specialist, who often takes penalties, free kicks and corners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabby George</span> English footballer

Gabrielle Alishya George is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Manchester United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloe Kelly</span> English footballer (born 1998)

Chloe Maggie Kelly is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the England national team. Kelly started her senior career at Arsenal, prior to going on loan to Everton, and joining the team permanently in 2018. With Manchester City, she is a 2019–20 FA Cup and 2021–22 League Cup winner, has twice been named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year, and was the joint top assist provider in the 2020–21 WSL season.

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  2. 1 2 "Fern Whelan". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  3. ↑ "Fern Whelan". Brighton & Hove Albion. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Whelan named young player of year". BBC Sport. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Lisa Dawson (25 October 2005). "England Under 19's Fern Whelan". BBC Liverpool. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  6. ↑ "Brighton's Aileen Whelan: 'I'll concentrate on child psychology after retiring'". The Guardian. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "It didn't cross my mind – Fern". Women's Soccer Scene. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Whelan named young player of the year". BBC Sport. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  9. ↑ Leighton, Tony (3 May 2010). "Everton upset Arsenal to win FA Women's Cup". BBC . Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  10. ↑ Polley, Victoria (10 April 2014). "WSL club profile: Everton Ladies". BT Sport. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Arsenal Ladies 2 Everton Ladies 0 match report: Arsenal Ladies give Shelley Kerr triumphant send-off with Everton win". The Independent . 1 June 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Notts County Ladies sign defender Fern Whelan". Nottingham Post . 17 January 2015. Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Fern Whelan: Notts County Ladies and England defender agrees new deal". BBC Sport. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. ↑ "Whelan Happy To Be 'Home'". Everton F.C. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "Fern Whelan announces retirement". Latest News. Professional Footballers' Association. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Skipper salvages point for England". Women's Football News. 19 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  17. ↑ "Germany level late with Lions". The Football Association. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  18. ↑ "2007: Fern Whelan". UEFA. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "England – Fern Whelan". FIFA. Archived from the original on 23 November 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  20. ↑ "Women's squad named for Malta Qualifier". The Football Association. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  21. ↑ Antonia De Feo (19 May 2011). "Whelan eyes more caps". Everton FC. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  22. ↑ Bessley, Chris (17 February 2014). "Physio Whelan charts her recovery; Blues defender has inside knowledge on own injury". Liverpool Echo . Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  24. ↑ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  25. ↑ "Whelan praises Women and Girls Programme". Premier League. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Member Profiles". Rushcliffe Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  27. ↑ Sanders, Emma (15 March 2023). "Canada, France and Spain turmoil: Why some players are shunning their national teams". BBC Sport . Retrieved 15 March 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.