Samantha Britton

Last updated

Sammy Britton
Personal information
Full name Samantha Britton
Date of birth (1973-12-08) 8 December 1973 (age 51) [1]
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Position(s) Defender / Midfielder/
Forward
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
Huddersfield Town
Bronte
Arsenal Ladies
Cove Rangers
Croydon
Doncaster Belles
Everton Ladies
2000 IBV 14 (12)
2001–2003 Leeds United Ladies
2003–2005 Everton Ladies
International career
England 65 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Samantha Britton (born 8 December 1973) is an English retired footballer, and former England international player. An extremely versatile performer, Britton was equally at home playing in defence, midfield or attack. [2]

Contents

Britton played for England in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. [3]

She dropped out of the side after the finals, but scored on her return two years later as England beat Scotland 4–0. [4] At the time she was playing for Cove Rangers in Scotland, but was looking for a move back to the English Premier League. She had previously played for Arsenal.

Britton got her wish as she joined Croydon for 1997–98, featuring in the 3–2 FA Women's Cup final defeat to Arsenal. [5] She moved to Doncaster Belles the following season. In summer 2000 Britton played for IBV in Iceland, finishing as the club's top goalscorer with 12 goals in 14 games. [6]

During qualifying for Euro 2001, Britton pre-empted the results of a random drugs test by admitting to smoking marijuana. She was subsequently banned for seven months by England coach Hope Powell and missed six Everton matches while attending a voluntary rehabilitation programme. [7] [8] Britton was recalled to the England squad for the European Championship finals. [1]

In March 2005 she was playing for Everton, [9] having re-joined from Leeds United in January 2003. [10]

International career

In November 2022, Britton was recognized by The Football Association as one of the England national team's legacy players, and as the 88th women's player to be capped by England. [11]

Personal life

Britton is of Jamaican descent through her father. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Smith</span> English footballer (born 1978)

Kelly Jayne Smith is an English former football forward who spent three spells with FA WSL club Arsenal. After moving to the United States, Smith broke records with Seton Hall University then played professionally with Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) franchise Philadelphia Charge. After returning to Arsenal for a period which included a 2007 UEFA Women's Cup win, Smith was tempted back to America with another professional contract, this time with Boston Breakers in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). She accumulated 117 caps for the England national team after making her debut in 1995. Despite being hit by serious injury during her career, Smith is England's second-highest goalscorer with 46 goals. She played for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. Smith was renowned for her speed, ball control and quickness in which she developed into a potent centre forward. She is considered by many who played with and against her to be one of the greatest ever players to come out of England, as well as one of the greatest players of all time.

<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">Alex Scott (footballer, born 1984)</span> English footballer and sports commentator (born 1984)

Alexandra Virina Scott is an English sports presenter, pundit and former professional footballer who played as a right-back. She has been the current presenter of Football Focus since 2021.

<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">Jill Scott (footballer)</span> English footballer (born 1987)

Jill Louise Scott is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. The FIFA technical report into the 2011 Women's World Cup described Scott as one of England's four outstanding players; "[an] energetic, ball-winning midfielder who organises the team well, works hard at both ends of the pitch and can change her team's angle of attack."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debbie Bampton</span> English footballer (born 1961)

Deborah Bampton is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. During her career, Bampton won a treble at Arsenal and two doubles with Croydon. She was also capped a total of 95 times for England, scoring seven goals in all.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pauline Cope</span> English footballer

Pauline Cope, whose married name is Pauline Cope-Boanas, is an English former football goalkeeper. She won 60 caps for the England women's national football team between her debut in 1995 and retirement from international football in 2004. Cope was England's first choice goalkeeper at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2001. Ted Copeland, England's coach at the former competition, described Cope as the best female goalkeeper in the world.

<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.

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.

<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">Fern Whelan</span> English footballer

Gabriella Fern Whelan is an English former professional footballer who played for Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly McDougall</span> English footballer

Kelly Marie McDougall is an English former international footballer. She played in midfield for Everton Ladies and Sunderland Women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joanne Broadhurst</span> English footballer and coach

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.

<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">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">Izzy Christiansen</span> English footballer (born 1991)

Isobel Mary Christiansen is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder or forward. She is known for her time with Manchester City Women between 2014 and 2018, and Everton (2019–2023). She has also played for Birmingham City and Lyon. She played as a junior international in 2009 and later in the senior team, including in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers.

<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. 1 2 "European Women Championship 2001 - Final Tournament Details". RSSSF . Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  2. "England Women's player profiles". BBC Sport. 19 June 2001. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  3. "England-Samantha Britton". FIFA. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  4. Sweet, Susan (25 August 1997). "England excel as Coultard joins club". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  5. Adam Szreter (5 May 1998). "Women's Football: Another trophy for the Gunners". The Independent . Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  6. "Grein - Samantha Britton rekin úr enska landsliðinu" (in Icelandic). MBL.is. 28 November 2000. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  7. Pete Lansley (30 June 2001). "Britton survives drug 'shame'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 15 February 2011.[ dead link ]
  8. Tony Leighton (12 March 2001). "The highs and lows of Britton". BBC Sport. London. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  9. "Cite revel in relegation win". The Guardian. London. 7 March 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  10. Paula Cocozza (3 February 2003). "Women's Football". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  11. Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". Mirror . Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  12. "Stories From The 90's - JJ Heritage".