![]() Handley (right) playing for Everton in November 2006 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 12 March 1979 | ||
Place of birth | Stafford, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) [1] | ||
Position(s) | Winger / Forward | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1997 | Detroit Mercy Titans | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
Shrewsbury Ladies | |||
1993–1995 | Wolves Women | ||
1995–1996 | Liverpool Ladies | ||
1998–2000 | Liverpool Ladies | ||
2000–2001 | Everton Ladies | ||
2001–2004 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | ||
2004–2014 | Everton Ladies | ||
2015 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 0 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2002–2010 | England | 38 | (6) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:18, 2 October 2010 (UTC) |
Jody Handley (born 12 March 1979) 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.
On the international stage Handley won 38 England caps and scored six goals following her debut in July 2002. She took part in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a non-playing squad member at the 2005 and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship.
Handley began her career at Shrewsbury Ladies before moving on to Wolves Women in the middle of season 1993–94. Making nine appearances, she scored five goals to help Wolves take the Northern Premier title. In her first season in the National Premier Division she made 16 appearances and scored two goals including the opener in Wolves' first National Division win against Millwall Lionesses. The rest of Wolves' campaign did not go so well and they were eventually relegated after a further season.
Handley remained in the top–flight, having signed for Liverpool Ladies in December 1995. She also made an appearance in the FA Women's Cup final in April 1996, which Liverpool lost on penalties to Croydon. [2]
In 1997 Handley played varsity soccer for the University of Detroit Mercy. She registered ten assists [3] and was named league Newcomer of the Year. [4]
After her scholarship in the US, Handley returned to Liverpool in March 1998. However, the Reds were kicked out of the 1997–98 FA Women's Cup when Handley played in a win over Millwall without international clearance. [5] In 2000, she left Liverpool for local rivals Everton [6] and was successfully converted from a midfielder to a striker. [7]
She moved to Doncaster Belles for season 2001–02 and scored twice on her debut. [8] She went on to play in her second FA Women's Cup final, this time against Fulham. Despite getting on the score sheet Handley had to make do with another runners–up medal; as professional outfit Fulham secured a 2–1 win. [9]
Handley returned to Everton Ladies in the 2004–05 season and went on to score in the FA Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, however she was to be disappointed once again after a 1–0 loss to Charlton Athletic in the 2005 final. [10] In the 2007–08 season Handley was named Everton captain through the absence of Leanne Duffy. Handley then led Everton to their first silverware in over a decade with a 1–0 win against Arsenal in the Premier League Cup final, [11] where she was named Player of the Match.
Season 2008–09 seemed to be full of promise for Handley, but it got off to a bad start when she suffered a broken ankle during the Umbro pre-season tournament. [11] She recovered ahead of schedule and came on as a substitute in the 4–0 FA Cup win against Manchester City before travelling to Cyprus with England for a squad get together. Everton finished second in the league and qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League.[ citation needed ]
In 2009–10 Handley captained Everton to their FA Women's Cup final win over Arsenal, setting up Natasha Dowie for the opening goal. [12]
The 2014 season saw Everton defeat local rivals Liverpool en route to the FA Women's Cup final, but Handley did not play as Arsenal won the final 2–0 at Stadium mk. [13] Worse was to follow in September 2014 as Everton were relegated out of the top division for the first time in 21 years. [14]
On 28 January 2015, Handley announced that she had transferred from Everton back to Doncaster Belles. [15] Unable to shake off injuries picked up in pre-season, Handley retired from playing in May 2015: "I felt it was my body's way of telling me enough was enough". She was studying physiotherapy through the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and hoped to stay in football in that capacity. [16]
Handley first represented England as a 16-year-old [17] and played in the U-18 national team. [7] She also represented English Universities while a student. [18]
Good performances at club level led to further international recognition for Handley. She made her full debut against Nigeria in July 2002 and was named Player of the Match by Sky Sports. [19] In October 2003 she got her first goal for the senior England team in a 2–2 draw against Russia in Moscow. [17] She was on the score sheet in a 5–0 whitewash of Mexico in the 2005 Algarve Cup and was also involved in the World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring a goal in the record 13–0 win against Hungary en route to China 2007. [20] She played in the finals, coming on for the last ten minutes of England's third game against Argentina, a 6–1 win which guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. [21]
In May 2009, Handley was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association. [22]
She was allotted 144 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international. [23] [24]
# | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition | Scored |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 21 October 2003 | Kryoia Soveto, Moscow | ![]() | 2–2 | Friendly | 1 |
2 | 17 February 2005 | National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes | ![]() | 4–1 | Friendly | 1 |
3 | 13 March 2005 | Estádio Fernando Cabrita, Lagos | ![]() | 5–0 | Algarve Cup | 1 |
4 | 27 October 2005 | Tapolca | ![]() | 13–0 | 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 |
5 | 20 April 2006 | Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham | ![]() | 4–0 | 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 |
6 | 22 July 2009 | County Ground, Swindon | ![]() | 1–0 | Friendly | 1 |
Handley attended Sir Graham Balfour School [20] then studied health, diet and fitness at Liverpool University. [17] She was later employed as a health development worker in Knowsley. [17]
In 2018 she graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Physiotherapy, the first female Professional Footballers Association member to graduate through the programme linked between the university and the PFA. [25]
Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club, previously Doncaster Belles, is an English women's football club that currently plays in the FA Women's National League Division One Midlands, the fourth tier of women's football in England. The club's administration is based at the Eco Power Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, while home matches are played at nearby Thorne Colliery F.C.
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.
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.
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.
Vicky Exley is an English former international footballer from Rotherham in South Yorkshire. She most recently played for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FA WSL, the top division of women's football in England. Exley also played over 50 times for England's national team.
Katie Ann Holtham is an English footballer who last played as a midfielder for Australian W-League club Perth Glory. Holtham's manager at former club Leeds Carnegie, Rick Passmoor, described her as: "strong, athletic and a good box to box midfield player."
Rachel Louise Williams is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Manchester United of the English Women's Super League.
Karen Burke is a former English footballer. She most recently played for Blackburn Rovers Ladies. Burke was born in Liverpool and represented England at full international level.
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.
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.
Sophie Elizabeth Bradley-Auckland is an English former international football defender who played for Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Lincoln Ladies, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Liverpool, and, Sheffield United.
Naldra "Naz" Ball is a Welsh former football striker. She represented the Wales women's national football team and the English FA Women's Premier League clubs Arsenal and Wembley.
Joanne Broadhurst is an English football coach and former player. As an attacking midfielder or forward she represented England at full international level. Broadhurst also played for English clubs Doncaster Belles, Arsenal and Croydon/Charlton Athletic.
The 2011 FA WSL was the inaugural season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 13 April 2011 and ended on 28 August 2011. The league also took a break between 12 May and mid-July to allow preparation for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The 2002 FA Women's Cup Final was the 32nd final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. The final event was played between Doncaster Belles and Fulham Ladies on 6 May 2002 at Selhurst Park in London. Fulham made its second final appearance, after losing the 2001 final. Doncaster Belles entered a record 13th final having won the trophy on six previous occasions.
The 2010 FA Women's Cup Final was the 40th final of the FA Women's Cup, England's primary cup competition for women's football teams. It was the 17th final to be held under the direct control of the Football Association (FA). The match was contested by Arsenal and Everton at the City Ground on 3 May 2010. Arsenal entered their fifth consecutive final having won the last four. Already the most successful team in the competition's history with 10 wins from 10 finals, Arsenal sought an 11th victory overall. Everton had one previous final appearance, losing 1–0 to Charlton Athletic in 2005. An earlier incarnation of the club, known as Leasowe Pacific, had lost the 1988 final and won in 1989.
Chelsea L.F.C.'s 2012 season was the club's second season in the FA WSL and seventh in the top flight of English women's football, in its 20th year.
The 2013 FA WSL was the third season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 14 April and ended on 29 September.
The 2014 FA WSL was the fourth season of the FA WSL, the top-level women's football league of England. The season began on 30 March and ended on 12 October.
The 1988–89 Women's Football Association Cup was the nineteenth edition of the WFA Cup, the national women's football knockout competition in England. It was organised by the Women's Football Association (WFA).