Vicky Exley
Encyclopedia
Vicky Exley is an English international women's footballer
, who plays for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FA WSL, the top division of women's football in England. She has also played over 50 times for England's national side
.
Despite scoring with a header, Exley was on the losing side in the 2000 FA Women's Cup
final, as Croydon
won 2–1. Two years later Exley featured in another Cup final defeat
, this time to professional Fulham
.
In 2004 Doncaster Belles suffered an exodus of players after a financial crisis, however, Exley and Claire Utley
chose to remain loyal to the club. In September 2004, Exley scored after four seconds of a League Cup tie against Aston Villa
from inside her own half. During that 2004–05 season, Doncaster struggled and only retained their National Premier League status thanks to Exley scoring on the final day of the season. Exley was top scorer for Doncaster Belles in the following two seasons, winning the manager's Player of the Year award in 2006.
In July 2008, Exley scored the only goal of the game as Doncaster beat Watford Ladies
in the FA Futsal
Women's Cup, the competition being the first time that Doncaster had played Futsal.
Exley scored 25 goals in all competitions during 2009–10 and was named in the Belles' 2011 FA WSL
squad. She netted Doncaster's first goal in the new league, the winner at Lincoln Ladies' Sincil Bank
on the opening night.
, Exley played 52 times for England
. In September 2004 Exley captained England for the first time, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2–1 friendly win over Holland
. She appeared in the 2007 World Cup, scoring a penalty in the final group-stage game against Argentina
. Exley then announced her retirement from international football in November 2007, stating her desire to go into coaching.
and works as a postwoman.
Women's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
, who plays for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the FA WSL, the top division of women's football in England. She has also played over 50 times for England's national side
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
.
Club career
Exley joined Sheffield Wednesday Ladies at the age of 15, moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles three years later. She began her Belles career as a striker before switching back to a midfield playmaker role. Nicknamed Tricky, Exley is renowned for her powerful shot.Despite scoring with a header, Exley was on the losing side in the 2000 FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
final, as Croydon
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
won 2–1. Two years later Exley featured in another Cup final defeat
2002 FA Women's Cup Final
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 showpiece event was played between Doncaster Belles and Fulham Ladies at Selhurst Park in London on 6 May 2002. Fulham made its second final appearance, after...
, this time to professional Fulham
Fulham L.F.C.
WFC Fulham, previously known as Fulham LFC, was a Ladies Football Club formerly associated with Fulham Football Club. The team were dissolved as of 16 May 2006, but were later re-established with independence from Fulham F.C....
.
In 2004 Doncaster Belles suffered an exodus of players after a financial crisis, however, Exley and Claire Utley
Claire Utley
Claire Utley is an English female footballer. She currently plays for Whitley Bay Ladies after a long association with Doncaster Rovers Belles. She has represented England at full international level.-Club career:...
chose to remain loyal to the club. In September 2004, Exley scored after four seconds of a League Cup tie against Aston Villa
Aston Villa L.F.C.
Aston Villa Ladies Football Club is an English women's football team affiliated with Aston Villa F.C., currently playing in the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division. The club has been in existence under several names since 1973. Originally titled Solihull FC, the team became officially...
from inside her own half. During that 2004–05 season, Doncaster struggled and only retained their National Premier League status thanks to Exley scoring on the final day of the season. Exley was top scorer for Doncaster Belles in the following two seasons, winning the manager's Player of the Year award in 2006.
In July 2008, Exley scored the only goal of the game as Doncaster beat Watford Ladies
Watford L.F.C.
Watford Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club affiliated with Watford F.C. They play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division. After losing their captain and top scorer Helen Lander to Arsenal LFC in mid-season, Watford finished a creditable 7th in the 2008-09...
in the FA Futsal
Futsal
Futsal is a variant of association football that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a portmanteau of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón , which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football"...
Women's Cup, the competition being the first time that Doncaster had played Futsal.
Exley scored 25 goals in all competitions during 2009–10 and was named in the Belles' 2011 FA WSL
2011 FA WSL
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 in order to allow preparation for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.Arsenal...
squad. She netted Doncaster's first goal in the new league, the winner at Lincoln Ladies' Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
on the opening night.
International career
Following her March 1996 debut, a 2–1 defeat in ItalyItaly women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
, Exley played 52 times for England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
. In September 2004 Exley captained England for the first time, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2–1 friendly win over Holland
Netherlands women's national football team
The Netherlands women's national football team represents the Netherlands in international women's football. The team played the first women's international recognized by FIFA, on 17 April 1971 against France.-World Cup record:-Current squad:...
. She appeared in the 2007 World Cup, scoring a penalty in the final group-stage game against Argentina
Argentina women's national football team
The Argentina women's national football team represents Argentina in international women's football. Since there is no professional league in Argentina, almost all its members are amateur players....
. Exley then announced her retirement from international football in November 2007, stating her desire to go into coaching.
International goals
- Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored 1 18 April 1996 Osijek OsijekOsijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 83,496 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county...
2–0 1997 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. 1997 UEFA Women's Championship qualificationThe qualification for the UEFA Women's Euro 1997 was held between September 17, 1995 & September 29, 1996. The first-placed of the group stage qualified directly...
1 2 7 March 2002 Paderne Paderne, AlbufeiraPaderne is a village and a civil parish in the municipality of Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. The village is situated 7.4 miles north of the town of Albufeira, 23 miles west of Faro and is 151 miles from Lisbon. The village has good transport links being very close to junctions on the A2 motorway to...
4–1 Algarve Cup Algarve CupThe Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
1 3 16 September 2004 Sportpark De Wending, Heerhugowaard HeerhugowaardHeerhugowaard is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia.-History:...
2–1 Friendly 1 5 9 March 2005 Paderne Paderne, AlbufeiraPaderne is a village and a civil parish in the municipality of Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. The village is situated 7.4 miles north of the town of Albufeira, 23 miles west of Faro and is 151 miles from Lisbon. The village has good transport links being very close to junctions on the A2 motorway to...
4–0 Algarve Cup Algarve CupThe Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
2 6 11 May 2006 St. Mary's St Mary's StadiumSt Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C., in the city of Southampton. It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London.-History:...
, SouthamptonSouthamptonSouthampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
2–0 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. 1 7 17 September 2007 Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium, Chengdu ChengduChengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
6–1 2007 FIFA World Cup 1
Personal life
Exley supports Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
and works as a postwoman.
External links
- Vicky Exley at Doncaster Rovers Belles