England Women's U21 Squad, Nordic Cup, July 2005

Player

Club

Caps*

Karen Bardsley

California State Univ.

0

Siobhan Chamberlain

Birmingham City

2

Alex Scott

Birmingham City

5

Jo Traynor

Liverpool

3

Rachel Axon

Wimbledon

0

Laura Bassett

Birmingham City

4

Casey Stoney

Charlton Athletic

0

Shelly Cox

Birmingham City

3

Jessica Smith

Charlton Athletic

1

Anita Asante

Arsenal

5

Lynda Shepherd

Stockport County

0

Kelly McDougall

Everton

5

Ellen Maggs

Birmingham City

3

Josanne Potter

Birmingham City

0

Michelle Hickmott

Coventry City

5

Ann-Marie Heatherson

Charlton Athletic

4

Jodain Clarke

Charlton Athletic

0

Gemma Davison

Arsenal

0


*Statistics refer to caps/goals at Under-19 level only

GOALKEEPERS

Karen Bardsley (California State University)

Karen made her debut for England against Sweden in July 2003, with her senior debut against Northern Ireland in the Algarve Cup in March 2005. She controls her area well and with authority.  Confident in one-on-one situations, she is the tallest of England’s keepers and users her height to her advantage.

Siobhan Chamberlain (Birmingham City)

Siobhan has been in and around the senior squad now for a couple of years, making her debut against Holland in 2004. Based at Loughborough University she is physically imposing and a good shot-stopper.

DEFENDERS

Casey Stoney (Charlton Athletic)

She may still only be 23 but Casey already has plenty of winners’ medals, most recently lifting The FA Women’s Cup in May 2005 as Charlton beat Everton 1-0. Casey’s first and only goal for the senior squad came in the 4-0 victory over Portugal at the Algarve Cup in March 2005, a crisp half volley that marks her out as a danger attacking set pieces.

Alex Scott (Birmingham City)

Alex made her Senior debut in September 2004 after progressing through the England U19 and U21 ranks and is a powerful force on the right flank, strong in the tackle and has great stamina.

Laura Bassett (Birmingham City)

Laura was a star performer in central defence as the England U19 side reached the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship and the quarter-finals of the inaugural FIFA U19 World Championship. She made her senior debut in the international against Italy in February 2003 as a substitute.

Jo Traynor (Liverpool)

Jo played in the U19 finals in 2003 in Leipzig when the team got to the semis and is a tall centre-half with lots of potential who needs experience of international level at a higher level.

Rachel Axon (Wimbledon)

Rachel is another player based at the National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University. Inexperienced at international level, she has worked very hard over the last twelve months to earn her call-up.

Beth Bailey (Birmingham City)

Beth makes the step-up to U21 level after being a mainstay of U17 and U19 squads over the last four years, either at left-back or centre-half.

Georgie Adams (Chelsea)

Georgie featured for the U19s in 2003 and has worked hard on her game. Part of Chelsea’s Southern Division winning squad last season, she will benefit from the challenges posed by being in the National Division this coming season.

Shelly Cox (Birmingham City)

Shelly has played for the U19s and U21s at left-back and is an elegant passer of the ball. Another based at Loughborough, she too has worked hard on her game over the last year, and her experience in the National Division has earned her a call-up.

MIDFIELDERS

Kelly McDougall (Everton)

A regular in the Everton side in midfield, Kelly has also been involved in the England senior set-up for over a year now, and featured in Everton’s narrow FA Women’s Cup Final defeat to Charlton Athletic in May 2005.

Anita Asante (Arsenal)

Anita has five senior caps for England and most recently against Norway at Oakwell in May 2005, she scored her first international goal. Anita is a player with great versatility and ability. She is a skilful and hard working midfielder who can play in both defensive and attacking roles.

Lynda Shepherd (Stockport County)

Lynda has come into the international set-up quite late and is looking for her first taste of tournament match play. A committed box-to-box player, she has the potential to develop with further experience.

Jessica Smith (Charlton Athletic)

A member of the Addicks’ FA Women’s Cup winning team last season, she has the ability to stake a regular claim for an U21 spot and begin to push for a place in the Senior ranks.

FORWARDS

Josanne Potter (Birmingham City)

Jo has progressed from the U19 squad and featured in a number of senior training camps in the build-up to Euro 2005. Jo joined Birmingham City at the start of last season alongside fellow former Arsenal players Ellen Maggs and Alex Scott.

Ellen Maggs (Birmingham City)

Ellen is a small, fast and skilful striker. She made her Senior debut in May 2003 against Canada. Will be hoping for a big season at club level to propel her back into the senior squad, for the 2007 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Gemma Davison (Arsenal)

Gemma has featured in previous U17 and U19 squads and shows good potential. She has been taken on this trip to gain experience and exposure to a higher level of international competition.

Michelle Hickmott (Coventry City)

Michelle has been a feature of England squads for the past four years and scored in the 1-0 victory over Sweden last October. Technically a very skillful player who is also versatile.