![]() Davison playing for Arsenal in 2013 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Gemma Suzanne Davison [1] | ||
Date of birth | 17 April 1987 | ||
Place of birth | Barnet, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Position(s) | Winger Wing-Back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Watford | ||
Number | 9 | ||
Youth career | |||
Watford | |||
2001–2005 | Arsenal | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2008 | Arsenal | ||
2008 | New York Magic | ||
2008–2009 | Arsenal | 22 | (7) |
2009 | Chicago Red Eleven | ||
2009–2010 | Arsenal | 22 | (12) |
2010 | Buffalo Flash [2] | 5 | (1) |
2011 | Western New York Flash | 12 | (1) |
2012 | Sky Blue FC | 0 | (0) |
2012–2013 | Arsenal | 28 | (4) |
2013–2014 | Liverpool | 14 | (4) |
2015–2018 | Chelsea | 49 | (11) |
2018–2019 | Reading | 13 | (2) |
2019–2021 | Tottenham Hotspur | 28 | (1) |
2021–2022 | Aston Villa | 3 | (0) |
2022– | Watford | 4 | (1) |
International career | |||
2013 | England U23 | 1 | (0) |
2009–2017 | England | 16 | (2) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 2 May 2022 |
Gemma Suzanne Davison (born 17 April 1987) is an English footballer who plays as a winger. She has previously played for Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Reading whom she joined from Chelsea in 2018. After joining Arsenal at youth team level from Watford Ladies, Davison became a regular player and won several trophies. She also spent time in the United States playing for various American clubs in three separate spells. Davison is a full senior international player for the England women's national football team.
Davison began her career with Watford Ladies before joining the youth set up at Arsenal Ladies. She progressed through the youth system to establish herself as regular in the Arsenal Squad. She spent the summer of 2008 playing in the United States for New York Magic, [3] before returning to Arsenal and playing every game of the 2008–09 season, scoring seven times. [4] In 2009, she signed for Chicago Red Eleven for their inaugural season. [5]
In 2010 Davison joined Chelsea Ladies pair Eartha Pond and Ann-Marie Heatherson at professional USL W-League club Buffalo Flash. [6] 23 year old Davison was part of the Buffalo Flash squad that won the 2010 USL W-League Championship. Having played just five games in 2010 she proved influential in the final, scoring a goal in Buffalo's 3–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. In January 2011, after the Flash joined the WPS and renamed themselves Western New York Flash, Davison left Arsenal to re-sign for the club. [7] In 2011, she registered one goal and two assists in 12 appearances helping Western New York Flash to a championship title. [8] [9]
Davison signed for Sky Blue FC in time for the 2012 season. Before she could play for her new club, the WPS was suspended. She returns to Arsenal Ladies for a fourth spell, having first joined the club's Centre of Excellence as a teenager.
Davison rejoined Arsenal in March 2012 along with new signings Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. She joined an Arsenal team that had won the treble the previous season. In 2012 Arsenal retained the FA WSL 1 league title. The 2013 season saw Davison play a key role in win the FA Women's Cup and the FA WSL Cup whilst finishing third in the league. The 2013 season saw Davison selected for the PFA WSL Team of the Year along with fellow Arsenal teammates Jordan Nobbs and Danielle Carter.
On 17 December 2013 Davison signed with current WSL 1 champions Liverpool Ladies. [10] Davison played 14 times and scored 4 goals helping Liverpool to retain the WSL 1 title in 2014.
Davison signed a two-year deal with Chelsea L.F.C. on 24 November 2014 ready for the 2015 season. [11] She made her debut scoring twice in a win against Notts County Ladies. Davison went on to provide six more goals in 26 appearances helping Chelsea lift their first FA WSL 1 title beating Manchester City W.F.C by two points. Chelsea also went on to do the double by winning their first FA Women's Cup. The 2015 Women's FA Cup was the first to be held at Wembley Stadium and saw a 39-minute goal from Ji So-Yun secure a 1–0 victory over Notts County Ladies in front of 30,710. Davison was integral throughout, often from a position wide on the right as she linked up to devastating effect. Chelsea faced Glasgow City in the first round of the UEFA Women's Champions League beating city 1–0 at home and 3–0 in the away fixture. Chelsea advance through to the round of 16 facing two-time winners VFL Wolfsburg. Chelsea would go on to lose both home and away ending their Champions League run.
In September 2016, it was announced that Davison had signed a new contract until the summer of 2018. In the 2016 season, Davison played in 22 games scoring 3 times as Chelsea finished second in the WSL 1 five points behind Manchester City W.F.C. Chelsea faced Manchester City in the semi-final of the women's FA Cup. Davison played the full game as Chelsea scored a winning goal in extra time sending them to final to face Arsenal Ladies. Chelsea had the opportunity to retain their title against Arsenal but failed to score after an early goal from Danielle Carter at Wembley Stadium in front of 32,912 fans. Chelsea Ladies drew VfL Wolfsburg in the first round of the UEFA Women's Champions League after they knocked Chelsea out the previous year. Wolfsburg defeated Chelsea 3–0 in their first game played at Stamford Bridge. The second leg in Germany finished a 1–1 draw and resulted in Chelsea being knocked out of the competition.
On 8 July 2018 Reading manager Kelly Chambers signed Davison from Chelsea. [12]
On 25 May 2020 Tottenham released Davison at the end of her contract. [13]
On 3 September 2021 it was announced that Davison had joined Aston Villa on a short-term contract. [14] It was announced on 4 January 2022 that Davison had left Aston Villa at the end of her contract. [15]
Davison played for England regularly at Under-19, [16] Under-21 [17] and Under-23 level. [18] In April 2009 she received her first call-up to the England senior squad. [19] Her England debut came in July 2009 when she came on as a substitute for Jessica Clarke in the 2–0 defeat at home to Iceland. [20]
Subsequently, out of favour with England coach Hope Powell, in December 2013 Davison was named in the first senior squad by Powell's successor Mark Sampson. [21] She was named on the standby list for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. [22]
On 7 June 2016 Davison opened her account for England in her 12th appearance in a 7–0 euro qualifying win over Serbia. Having scored her first goal she secured her second international goal just five minutes later, in the opening minutes of the second half, helping England seal qualification to the 2017 European Championship in the Netherlands.
Davison was allotted 172 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international. [23] [24]
Club | Season | League | Europe | WFA Cup | Premier League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Arsenal Ladies | 2006–07 [25] | 21 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 37 | 10 |
2007–08 [26] | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 4 | |
New York Magic | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Arsenal Ladies | 2008–09 [27] | 22 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 11 |
Chicago Red Eleven | 2009 | ||||||||||||
Arsenal Ladies | 2009–10 [28] | 22 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 13 |
Buffalo Flash | 2010 | ||||||||||||
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 7 June 2016 | Sports Center of FA of Serbia, Stara Pazova, Serbia | ![]() | 3–0 | 7–0 | Euro 2017 qualifying |
2. | 4–0 | |||||
Karen Julia Carney is an English sports journalist and former professional footballer who played as a winger and midfielder. Carney has been a regular broadcaster for live football on Sky Sports, ITV and Amazon Prime, including Women's Super League and men's Premier League matches since 2019. She is also a sports columnist for BBC Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Television, and The Guardian.
Chelsea Football Club Women, formerly known as Chelsea Ladies Football Club, are an English women's football club based in Kingston upon Thames, London. Founded in 1992, they compete in the Women's Super League, the top flight of women's football in England, and plays their home games at the Kingsmeadow with some select games at Stamford Bridge. Since 2004, the club has been affiliated with Chelsea F.C., the men's team in the Premier League. Chelsea Women were a founding member of the Super League in 2010. From 2005 to 2010, the side competed in the Premier League National Division, the top tier of women's football in England at the time.
Lianne Joan Sanderson is a current broadcaster and former English professional footballer who played as a forward. She won 50 caps for the England national team.
Alexandra Virina Scott is an English sports presenter, pundit, and former professional footballer who mostly played as a right-back for Arsenal in the FA WSL. She made 140 appearances for the England national team and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
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.
Eniola Aluko is a British-Nigerian football executive, football broadcaster and former professional player who played as a winger and striker. Aluko has been a regular broadcaster for live football on ITV, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and Fox Sports in the USA, including men's Premier League matches and Women's Super League since 2014. She was the first Sporting Director for Angel City FC of the American National women's soccer league and formerly held the position of Sporting Director at Aston Villa W.F.C. from January 2020 to June 2021.
Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante is an English football coach and former player who is the first-team coach at Bristol City. A defender or midfielder, she won 71 caps for the English national team and was selected in the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics. At club level, Asante has played for English clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa, whilst also having played for Saint Louis Athletica, Chicago Red Stars, Washington Freedom and Sky Blue FC of the American Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She also spent six seasons playing in Sweden, two with Göteborg and then four with FC Rosengård.
Fara Tanya Franki Merrett MBE, known professionally as Fara Williams, is a former English footballer who played as a central midfielder for multiple clubs, as well as the England national team. A consistent goalscorer and set-piece specialist, Williams was considered one of England's leading players. From her senior debut in 2001 until her retirement in 2019, Williams earned 177 caps for the England women's team, making her their highest capped player. She played at the 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017 European Championships, as well as the World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Williams also featured for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics.
Gilly Louise Scarlett Flaherty is an English former footballer who last played for FA WSL club Liverpool. Flaherty is a former Arsenal Ladies player who began her career in Millwall Lionesses' youth teams. She usually plays in the centre back position and represented England at youth level before making her senior debut in October 2015.
Rachel Louise Williams is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United of the English Women's Super League.
Ellen Toni Convery, commonly known as Ellen White, is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward. White is the record goalscorer for the England women's national team. With England, she has competed at three FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: in the 2011, 2015 and 2019, reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019 and finishing third in 2015. White earned the Bronze Boot award at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. She represented Great Britain team at the 2012 and 2020 Summer Olympics.
Ann-Marie "Annie" Heatherson is an English former footballer who most recently played as a forward and captain for Yeovil Town of the FA Women's National League. She began her career with Charlton Athletic and played for rival London clubs Fulham, Millwall Lionesses and Chelsea Ladies after Charlton folded their women's team in 2007. Heatherson also enjoyed short spells in Iceland and the United States before joining Bristol Academy ahead of the inaugural 2011 FA WSL season, where she was also employed by the club as an ambassador. Heatherson represented England up to Under-21 level and was named in senior squads but never capped. She was named the FA Women's Young Player of the Year in 2004.
Ji So-yun is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Seattle Reign FC of the National Women's Soccer League and the South Korea national team.
Jordan Nobbs is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Aston Villa. She previously played for Sunderland and Arsenal.
Gemma Bonner is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Liverpool, and appeared for the England national team.
The 2015 season of the Women's Super League was the fifth season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season was played from 25 March to 4 October.
Francesca Kirby is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. She began her career with hometown club Reading before moving to Chelsea in July 2015. In August 2014, Kirby won her first senior cap for England. She represented her country at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France and the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands.
Laura Coombs is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Women's Super League club Manchester City and the England national team.
Millie Bright is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Chelsea who she captains, and the England national team. She previously played for Doncaster Belles and Leeds Ladies, and represented England on the under-19 and under-23 national teams.
Lauren Elizabeth James is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League (WSL) club Chelsea and the England women's national team. James started her senior career with Arsenal in 2017 before joining Manchester United in 2018 and winning the Championship. Since joining Chelsea in 2021, she has twice won the WSL and FA Cup with the club, and was awarded the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year for the 2022–2023 season.