Vicky Exley

Vicky Exley (born 22 October 1975) 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.[2] Exley also played over 50 times for England's national team.

Vicky Exley
Personal information
Full name Vicky Exley
Date of birth (1975-10-22) 22 October 1975
Place of birth Rotherham, England
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1991–1994 Sheffield Wednesday Ladies
1994–2012 Doncaster Rovers Belles
International career‡
1996–2007 England 52 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:25, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:25, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Club career

Exley joined Sheffield Wednesday Ladies at the age of 15, moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles three years later.[3] She began her Belles career as a striker before switching back to a midfield playmaker role.[3] Nicknamed Tricky, Exley is renowned for her powerful shot.[4]

Despite scoring with a header, Exley was on the losing side in the 2000 FA Women's Cup final, as Croydon won 2–1.[5] Two years later Exley featured in another Cup final defeat, this time to professional Fulham.[6]

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.[7] In September 2004, Exley scored after four seconds of a League Cup tie against Aston Villa from inside her own half.[8] 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.[9] Exley was top scorer for Doncaster Belles in the following two seasons,[3][10] winning the manager's Player of the Year award in 2006.[3]

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.[11]

Exley scored 25 goals in all competitions during 2009–10 and was named in the Belles' 2011 FA WSL squad.[12] She netted Doncaster's first goal in the new league, the winner at Lincoln Ladies' Sincil Bank on the opening night.[13]

Prior to the 2012 season Exley was released by Doncaster. In explaining his decision, manager John Buckley paid his own tribute, telling the Doncaster Free Press:[14]

Vicky has been a great servant to the club. When she was younger there were times when she virtually carried the team on her shoulders. I just felt that she has reached a stage where her legs can't do what her brain wants her to do. It's probably one of the hardest decisions I'll ever have to make—and she'll probably hate me for it.

In May 2012 it was reported that Exley had decided to retire from football altogether.[15] In June 2012 Exley served as a torch bearer in the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay, as recognition for her services to playing and coaching football.[16]

International career

Following her March 1996 debut, a 2–1 defeat in Italy, Exley played a total of 52 times for England.[17] In September 2004 Exley captained England for the first time, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2–1 friendly win over the Netherlands.[18] She appeared in the 2007 World Cup, scoring a penalty in the final group-stage game against Argentina.[19] Exley then announced her retirement from international football in November 2007, stating her desire to go into coaching.[20]

She was allotted 113 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[21][22]

International goals
Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentResultCompetitionScored
118 April 1996Osijek Croatia2–01997 UEFA Women's Championship Qual.1
27 March 2002Paderne Scotland4–1Algarve Cup1
316 September 2004Sportpark De Wending, Heerhugowaard Netherlands2–1Friendly1
59 March 2005Paderne Northern Ireland4–0Algarve Cup2
611 May 2006St. Mary's, Southampton Hungary2–02007 FIFA World Cup Qual.1
717 September 2007Chengdu Longquanyi Football Stadium, Chengdu Argentina6–12007 FIFA World Cup1

Personal life

Exley supports Sheffield Wednesday and works as a postwoman.[3]

References
  1. "#19 Vicky Exley". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  2. "Players Directory – Vicky Exley". Doncaster Belles Online. Archived from the original on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
  3. Hayley Paterson (19 February 2009). "Belles hit their stride again at 40". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  4. "England women Fixtures and Results, 2004/05". Cresswell Wanderers FC. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  5. Sarah Hughes (2 May 2000). "Hunt keeps Croydon on double track". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  6. Tony Leighton (7 May 2005). "Fulham too professional for battling Belles". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. "BELLES DEFY THE ODDS". Doncaster Free Press. 26 August 2004. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
  8. Tony Leighton (12 September 2004). "Donny scrape through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  9. "Arsenal clinch title as Belles survive". The Guardian. 25 April 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  10. "2006/07 Season Stats". Doncaster Belles Online. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
  11. "Belles lift cup". The Football Association. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  12. "Vicky Exley". Doncaster Rovers Belles. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  13. Steve Hossack (17 May 2001). "Exley enjoying life in new league". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  14. Paul Goodwin (23 February 2012). "Gone But Not Forgotten". Doncaster Belles. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  15. Hossack, Steve (1 May 2012). "DONCASTER ROVERS: Belles race to get Mary Earps fit for Brum trip". South Yorkshire Times. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  16. "June 26, Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes". British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
  17. "A great role model". TheFA.com. 7 November 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  18. Tony Leighton (20 September 2004). "Holland 1–2 England". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  19. "SIX OF THE BEST FOR ENGLAND". football365.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2007.
  20. "Exley retires from England duty". BBC Sport. 7 November 2007.
  21. "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  22. Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
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