Millie Bright

Last updated

Millie Bright
OBE
Millie-Bright.jpg
Bright with England in 2022.
Personal information
Full name Millie Bright [1]
Date of birth (1993-08-21) 21 August 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Chesterfield, England [2]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 4
Youth career
Killamarsh Dynamos
Sheffield United [3]
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2009–2014 Doncaster Belles 42 (3)
2011–2012 → Leeds Ladies (loan) 13 (6)
2014– Chelsea 252 (17)
International career‡
2011–2012 England U19 5 (0)
2013–2016 England U23 13 (0)
2016– England 77 (5)
2021– Great Britain 3 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing Flag of England.svg  England
UEFA Women's Championship
Winner 2022 England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Runner-up 2023 Australia and New Zealand
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:29, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:29, 27 November 2023 (UTC)

Millie Bright OBE (born 21 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Chelsea [4] [5] 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.

Contents

Bright was named Vauxhall England Young Player of the Year in 2016. With Chelsea, she won three league titles in 2015, 2017–18, and 2019–20, as well as the 2015 and 2017–18 FA Women's Cup. In 2020, she helped the club win the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield.

Bright was named to the PFA Team of the Year for the 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons. In 2020, she was named to the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11.

Early life

Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, Bright spent her youngest years immersed in equestrianism. [6] She developed pneumonia as a baby and spent some of her early childhood in the hospital with bouts of asthma. [6] As a youth, Bright attended Sheffield Road School and Killamarsh Junior School, [7] followed by Eckington School. [8] Bright began playing football at age nine. [9] After watching a friend play for Killamarsh Dynamos, a local team in Derbyshire, she decided to join; [10] as part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque honouring Bright was installed at the club in 2022. [11] She was later scouted by Sheffield United and joined their academy team until age 16 before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2009. [6] [12]

Club career

Doncaster Rovers Belles

Described by the club as "a tall, powerful, athletic striker with an good eye for goal," Bright made her Belles debut as a substitute against Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium in August 2009. [13] She scored her first goal on the occasion of her first start, in the following month's 5–0 FA Women's Premier League Cup win at Leeds City Vixens. [13] She was awarded a contract for the inaugural 2011 season of the FA WSL, making five substitute appearances. [14] At her own request, Bright then went on loan to Leeds United in their 2011–12 FA Women's Premier League season and debuted on her 18th birthday, scoring a goal after entering play as a substitute. [15]

When Bright returned to Doncaster she had developed into a regular first team starter. [16] Bright was critical of The Football Association's decision to demote Doncaster Rovers Belles from the WSL in favour of Manchester City one game into the 2013 season: "It was heartbreaking. It felt like we weren't respected or even wanted in the league, purely based on money. It should be about the level you play at, not how much money you have. That season, we just felt what's the point?" [17]

Chelsea

In December 2014, Bright signed with Chelsea ahead of the 2015 season. [18] Chelsea assistant manager Paul Green said of the signing, "Millie is a great character and a young player who is hungry to develop and improve her game. She has a lot of experience for a 21-year-old and has already played a lot of games in the FA WSL and knows what the league is all about. She will add strength and physicality to the squad and I’m sure that she will prove to be a good addition to this talented group of players as we look to build on last season’s achievements." Chelsea finished in first place during the regular season with a 10–2–2 record and qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Women's Champions League for the second time in the team's history. [19] Bright made fourteen appearances for Chelsea during the 2015 season tallying a total of 906 minutes. [14] [20] She was named Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year by her teammates. [21]

Bright (centre) during a match against Lewes FC during the 2019-20 FA Women's League Cup, November 2019 Lewes FC Women 1 Chelsea Women 2 Conti Cup 02 11 2019-153 (49006350957).jpg
Bright (centre) during a match against Lewes FC during the 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup, November 2019

During the 2016 season, Bright was a starting defender in all 15 games that she played and scored a goal in the team's 5–0 win over Sunderland. [22] Chelsea finished in second place with a 12–3–1 record. [23]

Bright was Chelsea's starting left-side defender for the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series and helped lead the defensive line to concede only five goals in all competitions. She scored two goals during attacking set-pieces against Bristol and Arsenal. [22] [21] Chelsea won the Spring Series with a 8–6–1 record. [24] [25]

In August 2018, Bright signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea. Of the signing, she said, "I just want to be a successful player and to help my team-mates and this football club win more trophies. We've already won a few in my time here and hopefully we can continue that and keep winning things, and I hope the Champions League is one of those trophies. We made a big statement in the competition last season and we're ready to keep developing and take the next step." [26]

During the 2019–20 FA WSL season, Bright was named the league's Player of the Month for December after she scored and provided an assist against Birmingham and led the Chelsea defense in a shut-out against Manchester United. [27] Chelsea won the regular season with a 12–3–0 record as well as the 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup after defeating Arsenal 2–1 in the Final. [28]

When the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield was played for the first time since 2008, Bright scored Chelsea's game-winning goal from long range during the team's 2–0 over Manchester City. [29]

International career

Bright has represented England on the senior national team as well as numerous youth national teams, including the under-19 and under-23 national team squads. [19] In June 2016, she scored a penalty kick goal against the United States during the final game of the Nordic Cup. [30]

Bright earned her first cap for the senior England national team in September 2016, as a last-minute substitute in a 2–0 win over Belgium. [31] In February 2019, Bright pulled out of the England squad for the SheBelieves Cup due to injury, and was replaced by Gemma Bonner. [32]

Bright huddles with England national team squad during the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France England Women's World Cup 2019.jpg
Bright huddles with England national team squad during the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France

In May 2019, Bright was selected to represent England at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France. [33] She played in two of the three group matches as well as in the Round of 16, Quarter Final and Semi Final. She was sent off in the 2–1 semifinal loss to the United States after receiving a second yellow card. [34] She captained England for the first time in a friendly game against Canada on 13 April 2021. [35] She was again called on to captain the squad by head coach Sarina Wiegman in the two November World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Latvia. [36]

In June 2022, Bright was included in the England squad which won UEFA Women's Euro 2022. [37] [38]

Bright was allotted 197 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international. [39] [40]

On 31 May 2023, Bright was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. [41] Due to Leah Williamson being injured, Bright was named interim captain for the tournament. On 16 August 2023, Bright assisted one of the three goals that got England into its first World Cup final. [42]

Bright was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to association football. [43] [44]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 November 2023 [45] [46]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [lower-alpha 1] League cup [lower-alpha 2] Continental [lower-alpha 3] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Doncaster Belles 2009–10 Women's Premier League 100??11—111
2011 Women's Super League 50??00—50
2012Women's Super League132??20—152
2013Women's Super League141??30—171
2014 Women's Super League 2 ????50—50
Total423??11100534
Leeds United (loan)2010–11 Women's National League 1360000—136
Chelsea 2015Women's Super League140??4140221
2016Women's Super League151201120202
2017 Women's Super League72??——72
2017–18Women's Super League151205080301
2018–19 Women's Super League161??3061252
2019–20 Women's Super League1513060—241
2020–21 Women's Super League211115091363
2021–22 Women's Super League220503060360
2022–23 Women's Super League141303051252
2023–24 Women's Super League6100001071
Total145916130241323215
Career total2001816141341329825

International

As of match played 31 October 2023 [46]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 201610
2017170
201870
201990
202030
202183
2022192
2023130
Total775
National teamYearAppsGoals
Great Britain 202130
Total30
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bright goal.
List of international goals scored by Millie Bright
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
121 September 2021 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 7–010–0 2023 FIFA World Cup qualification
28–0
326 October 2021 Daugava Stadium, Liepāja, Latvia Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 4–010–0 [47]
417 February 2022 Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1–01–1 2022 Arnold Clark Cup [48]
523 February 2022 Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, EnglandFlag of Germany.svg  Germany 2–13–1

Honours

Chelsea

England

Individual

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 27 May 2019. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad". BBC Sport. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "How I Started". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chelsea Ladies: Millie Bright joins Blues from Doncaster Belles". BBC. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Chelsea Ladies: European debut puts champions' party on hold". BBC. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 "From Doncaster Belles to the World Cup for England's Millie Bright". Yorkshire Post. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "Millie Bright returns to Killamarsh roots ahead of Lionesses' Rotherham date". Rotherham United. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. ↑ "England Lionesses star Millie Bright on the pitfalls of social media as international looms at Rotherham United". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
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  13. 1 2 "Strikers / Millie Bright". Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Millie Bright". Soccer Way. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "Millie's Bright future with England". Sheffield United F.C. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
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  17. ↑ "Millie Bright column: 'New money is welcome but needs to be shared around'". BBC Sport. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
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  19. 1 2 "Chelsea Ladies sign England U23 star Millie Bright". getwestlondon. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
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  32. ↑ "Millie Bright misses out on SheBelieves Cup squad through injury". 19 February 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
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  34. ↑ Garry, Tom (2 July 2019). "England 1–2 USA: Lionesses beaten in Women's World Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  35. ↑ "England v Canada". BBC Sport. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
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  45. ↑ "Millie Bright player stats". Fulltime The FA. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  46. 1 2 "England - M. Bright - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  47. ↑ "Latvia 0–10 England: Lionesses maintain 100% record in Women's World Cup qualifying". BBC Sport. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  48. ↑ "England 1–1 Canada: Lionesses held to draw in opening game of Arnold Clark Cup". BBC Sport. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  49. ↑ UEFA.com. "Chelsea-Barcelona | UEFA Women's Champions League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  50. ↑ Emma Sanders (20 August 2023). "Women's World Cup final: England lose to Spain in Sydney". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  51. ↑ Sanders, Emma (31 July 2022). "England beat Germany to win first major women's trophy". BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  52. 1 2 "England 3 – 1 Germany". BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  53. ↑ "Arnold Clark Cup: England hit six v Belgium to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  54. ↑ FA, The. "JORDAN NOBBS AMONG THE WINNERS AT ANNUAL FA WOMEN'S FOOTBALL AWARDS". The Football Association. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  55. ↑ "Manchester City players dominate PFA team of the year". BBC. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  56. ↑ "Jordan Henderson among five Liverpool players in PFA team of the year". Irish Examiner. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  57. ↑ "2021–22 PFA WSL Team Of The Year". The Professional Footballers' Association. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  58. ↑ "The FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11 of 2019–2020 – FIFPRO World Players' Union". FIFPRO. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  59. ↑ "2020–2021 Women's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Revealded". FIFPRO. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  60. ↑ "Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win". ITV News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.

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