The centre-back really made a name for herself this year.

Sophie Bradley
Clubs Lincoln, Nottingham Forest (loan)
DOB 20.10.89
Debut and Year Austria 2010
Overall Record Caps 12 Goals 0
Record in 2011 Caps 10 Goals 0

2011 was a real breakthrough year for centre-back Sophie Bradley.

The 21-year-old only made her England senior debut in March 2010, but racked up an impressive ten caps in this calendar year, including three appearances at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

A former England U19 captain, Bradley’s steady performances for Leeds Carnegie (now United) and more recently Lincoln pushed her firmly into Hope Powell’s thoughts at the start of this year, but a thigh injury restricted her to just one appearance in the Cyprus Cup, against Canada.

In the absence of Faye White, Bradley was handed a starting place against USA at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road ground and she impressed alongside club mate Casey Stoney, maintaining her place in the team for the Sweden friendly six weeks later.

White was restored to the team for the opening World Cup game, against Mexico, but Bradley replaced her late on, as she did against New Zealand, too.  Her first World Cup start came against Japan when the youngster put in arguably her best performance of the year, helping the Three Lions keep a clean sheet against the eventual World Champions.

Bradley has also started each of England’s first four UEFA Euro 2013 qualifiers.