Wikipedia

Kerry Davis

For the radio producer and writer, see Keri Davies.

Kerry Davis (born 2 August 1962) is an English former international women's footballer. She was the first Black woman to play for the England women's national team.

Kerry Davis
Davis in 2015
Personal information
Full name Kerry Davis
Date of birth (1962-08-02) 2 August 1962 (age 62)[1]
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
0000–1985 Crewe Alexandra Ladies
1985–1986 Roi Lazio
1986–1988 Trani 80
1988–1989 Napoli
1989–1992 Crewe Alexandra Ladies
1992–1994 Liverpool Ladies
1994–1999 Croydon Women
International career
1982–1998 England 90 (43)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

During her 16-year international career, Davis represented England in the inaugural 1984 UEFA Championships final and at England's first FIFA Women's World Cup appearance in 1995. She also helped England win the Mundialito tournament in Italy and scored for her country at Wembley Stadium. At club level Davis spent four seasons playing in Italy, in between spells with Crewe Alexandra Ladies. She later played for Liverpool Ladies and Croydon.

Club career

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Davis was a 23–year–old student from Stoke-on-Trent, playing for Crewe Alexandra Ladies, when Italian club Roi Lazio signed her in November 1985.[2] She spent four years playing semi–professionally in Italy, one year at the Stadio Flaminio with Roi Lazio, two years with Trani and one with Napoli.[3][4] In her second season with Trani, Davis played alongside compatriot Debbie Bampton. They finished runners–up in both the Serie A and national Cup before the club folded and Bampton returned to England.

After a further year at Napoli, Davis returned to Crewe Alexandra Ladies,[4] but by April 1994 was playing for Knowsley United Women in the FA Women's Cup final.[5] Knowsley became Liverpool Ladies that summer and Davis left for Croydon Women in December 1994.[6]

In 1996, Davis was playing for Croydon[7] when they won the league and cup double. In May 1996 goals from Davis and Brenda Sempare earned the decisive 2–1 league win over Arsenal Ladies.[8] That summer she sparked rumours of a transfer by guesting for Arsenal Ladies in a pre–season tournament,[9] but remained with Croydon. She eventually resigned in April 1999.[10]

International career

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Davis made her England debut in 1982, becoming England's first black woman international.[11] Davis played in the first UEFA championships for national women's teams in 1984. England reached the final only to lose to Sweden on penalties, despite Davis successfully converting her kick.[12] In the qualifying stages, Davis had been England's top scorer after making her debut in the first ever match in UEFA competition; a 7–1 win over Northern Ireland at Gresty Road on 19 September 1982. In August 1985 Davis scored in a 1–1 group stage draw with Italy, during England's victorious Mundialito campaign. At the 1987 UEFA championships England lost to Sweden at the semi–final stage, 3–2 after extra time. Davis gave England the lead against Italy in the third place match, but Carolina Morace and Betty Vignotto replied to ensure England finished fourth.[13]

As a curtain–raiser to the 1990 FA Charity Shield, England played Italy at Wembley Stadium. Davis netted a consolation in England's 4–1 defeat, while Carolina Morace scored all four Italian goals and featured on the front page of the following day's La Gazzetta dello Sport.[14] Davis later described her former Trani teammate Morace as: "the best women's player I have ever seen."[15]

Davis also played in all four of England's matches at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.[1] She had won her 60th cap in the 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 1995 semi–final first–leg defeat to Germany on 11 December 1994. In May 1996 Davis scored two goals and set up the other for strike–partner Kelly Smith in a 3–0 win over Portugal at Griffin Park.[7] Although Davis's versatility saw her selected as a midfielder or sometimes as a defender, she continued to score at a prolific rate. By the time of a World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands in October 1997, Davis had 42 goals in 78 appearances.[16] In March 1998, Davis made her 82nd and final appearance for England, but was substituted 20 minutes into a 1–0 defeat to Germany at The Den.[17]

Davis left the England squad in April 1998, ahead of another friendly with Italy.[18]

In October 2010, She Kicks magazine reported that Davis remained England's all–time record goalscorer. Although it was stated that records were "sketchy" because the Football Association (FA) took over running women's football in 1993. There was uncertainty whether all Davis's goals before this were scored in matches considered official.[19] In February 2012 Kelly Smith netted twice against Finland, moving on to 45 goals for England and setting a new record.

International goals

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No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 19 September 1982 Crewe, England   Northern Ireland ?–? 7–1 1984 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying
2. ?–?
3. 3 October 1982 Dumbarton, Scotland   Scotland 1–0 4–0
4. 2–0
5. 3–0
6. 4–0
7. 7 November 1982 Dublin, Ireland   Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–0
8. 14 May 1983 Belfast, Northern Ireland   Northern Ireland ?–0 4–0
9. ?–0
10. 11 September 1983 Reading, England   Republic of Ireland ?–0 6–0
11. ?–0
12. 30 October 1983 Charlton, England   Sweden ?–? 2–2 Friendly
13. 17 Marc 1985 Lancashire, England   Scotland 3–0 4–0 1987 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying
14. 25 May 1985 Antrim, Northern Ireland   Northern Ireland ?–? 8–1
15. ?–?
16. ?–?
17. ?–?
18. ?–?
19. 17 August 1985 Ramsey, Isle of Man   Wales ?–0 6–0 Friendly
20. 16 March 1986 Blackburn, England   Northern Ireland 5–0 10–0 1987 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying
21. 8–0
22. 9–0
23. 27 April 1986 Reading, England   Republic of Ireland 1–0 4–0
24. 4–0
25. 29 March 1987 Dublin, Ireland   Republic of Ireland 1–0 1–0 Friendly
26. 11 June 1987 Moss, Norway   Sweden 2–1 3–2 (a.e.t.) 1987 European Competition for Women's Football
27. 13 June 1987 Drammen, Norway   Italy 1–0 1–2
28. 8 November 1987 Reading, England   Denmark 2–0 2–1 1989 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying

Awards

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In 2022, Davis was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.[20] Davis received the Keith Alexander award, at the Football Black List event in April, 2024, for being a pioneer in women's football.[21]

Personal life

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Davis was born in England to a Jamaican father and English mother.[22] After returning from Italy Davis worked in a sports shop in Stoke-on-Trent.[4]

Honours

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Croydon

References

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  1. ^ a b "England:Kerry Davis". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  2. ^ Simon Barnes (21 November 1985). "Women footballers are lured by the lire / English women to become professional soccer players in Italy". The Times.
  3. ^ Henry Winter (18 May 1991). "The Diary: Lazio for beginners". The Independent. London.
  4. ^ a b c "A nice place to go for a holiday . . . ; From basketball to table tennis, European integration is nothing new to Britain's sportsmen and women, many of whom have gone to live and work in the EC. A selection recount their experiences; Kerry Davis, Footballer". The Independent. London. 1 December 1991.
  5. ^ "SOCCER: MARSEILLE START COURT BATTLE TO REVERSE RELEGATION PUNISHMENT". The Guardian. 25 April 1994.
  6. ^ Alyson Rudd (10 December 1994). "England women thirsting for revenge". The Times.
  7. ^ a b Tom Chesshyre (20 May 1996). "Davis puts Portuguese to flight". The Independent. London. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  8. ^ "Croydon double". The Times. 15 May 1996.
  9. ^ Sarah Forde (12 August 1996). "Olympic success can ignite women's game". The Times.
  10. ^ Cathy Gibb (24 April 1999). "Davis quits title push". The Times.
  11. ^ Paterson, Abi; Penney, Sophie (28 October 2021). "'There were no black players on the pitch': Hope Powell and Kerry Davis on women's football's diversity problem". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.
  12. ^ Tony Leighton (19 May 2009). "England's shoot-out jinx begins - England, 1984". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  13. ^ "Italia - Inghilterra". FIGC. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Inghilterra - Italia". FIGC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  15. ^ Wyke, Nick (March 1997). "Press for attention". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  16. ^ Mike Rowbottom (31 October 1997). "Football: Bright Smith lights England's blue touchpaper; England 1 Netherlands 0". The Independent. London.
  17. ^ Rowbottom, Mike (9 March 1998). "Football: Smisek sinks England women". The Independent. London. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  18. ^ Ged Scott (21 April 1998). "LADIES IN THE LIMELIGHT". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  19. ^ Aldis, Colin A (13 October 2010). "She Kicks Facts Fix". She Kicks. No. 3.
  20. ^ Dobson, Craig (11 November 2022). "Kerry Davis inducted into National Football Museum Hall of Fame". National Football Museum. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Kerry 'Pioneer and a Leader'". The Voice. April 2024. p. 46.
  22. ^ "Lost Lionesses: The black pioneers of women's football". Sky Sports. 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023.
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