Wikipedia

Ruby Mace

Ruby Mace (born 5 September 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and defender for Women's Super League club Leicester City and the England national team. She previously played for Manchester City, Birmingham City, and Arsenal.

Ruby Mace
Personal information
Full name Ruby Mace
Date of birth (2003-09-05) 5 September 2003 (age 21)[1]
Place of birth Upminster, England
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)[2]
Position(s) Holding midfielder, centre-back[3]
Team information
Current team
 Leicester City
Youth career
2010–2020 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2021 Arsenal 3 (0)
2021 → Birmingham City (dual reg) 11 (2)
2021–2024 Manchester City 13 (0)
2023 → Leicester City (loan) 10 (0)
2024– Leicester City 8 (0)
International career‡
2019 England U17 4 (2)
2021–2022 England U19 7 (0)
2023– England U23 9 (0)
2024– England 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:15, 19 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:26, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Early life

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Raised in Upminster, in the London Borough of Havering, Mace is the youngest of three and attended Coopers' Company and Coborn School.[4] Mace gained interest in football from watching her older brother play when she was three years old. She trained with boys teams soon after, playing competitively by age 5, and joined Arsenal Academy aged 7.[5]

At 15 years old, the England Football Association nominated Mace to receive Sports Aid funding for £1,000 towards football-related costs.[6] She remained at Arsenal until age 17.[5]

Club career

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Arsenal

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Mace made her Arsenal debut on 26 September 2020 against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the postponed FA Cup quarter final of 2019–20 season. She came on in the 88th minute to replace captain Kim Little as Arsenal won 4–0.[7] On 7 October 2020, Mace made another substitute appearance for Arsenal, this time against Chelsea in the 2020–21 League Cup, replacing Caitlin Foord in the 84th minute.

Mace made her WSL debut against Brighton & Hove Albion on 11 October 2020, coming on as a second-half substitute replacing Caitiln Foord in the 78th Minute.[8] She made her second league appearance against Tottenham Hotspur on 18 October, again coming on as a second-half substitute, this time replacing Danielle van de Donk in the 77th minute.[9]

Mace made her second League Cup appearance against London City Lionesses, coming on in the 46th minute replacing Jill Roord, in a game Arsenal won 4–0.[10]

Birmingham City (dual registration)

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On 2 February 2021, Mace signed for Birmingham City on dual registration for the rest of the 2020–21 WSL season.[11]

Manchester City

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On 11 June 2021, Mace signed her first professional contract with Manchester City ahead of her 18th birthday.[12]

On 13 October 2021, she made her debut in the 2021–22 League Cup against Everton, playing the full 90 minutes, and receiving praise from fellow teenage teammate Jess Park.[13] City would go on to win the League Cup that season.[14] In April 2024, the Manchester Evening News stated that Mace was "widely regarded as one of England's brightest young talents".[15]

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Mace would leave the club upon the expiry of her contract.[16]

Leicester City (loan)

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I think it gave me confidence [the loan spell] especially at Leicester, I can't thank them enough for the platform that they put out for me to be able to play every week. It really meant a lot to me and the way that they trusted me in that position as well.

Ruby Mace, October 2023[17]

On 28 January 2023, Mace joined Leicester City on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season,[18] and was credited with playing an important role in helping Leicester avoid relegation.[15]

She made her debut for the club against Reading in the FA Cup on 29 January 2023,[19][20] and on May 21, 2023, was sent off against West Ham United for a second yellow card.[21]

Leicester City

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On 20 July 2024, Mace re-joined Leicester City signing a two-year deal,[22] having rejected offers from Spanish side Atlético Madrid and Women's Super League clubs,[23] including Chelsea.[24]

International career

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Youth

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In October 2017, Mace made her youth international debut with England's under-15s, captaining the team in a match against Scotland,[1] going on to play for the U-17, U-19, and U-23 team.[11][25]

Mace made her England under-17 debut captaining the team for 2020 U-17 Championship qualification against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 24 October 2019, in which England won 4–0.[26][17] Three days later, on 27 October, Mace scored her first goal for the under-17s against Belgium.[27]

On 20 October 2021, Mace made her debut for the under-19s in 2022 U-19 Championship qualification against Republic of Ireland in an 8–1,[28] followed by playing against Switzerland in which England would win 1–0.[29] In April 2022, she played further winning games for Championship qualification against Wales and Belgium at St George's Park, helping the squad to qualify for the final tournament in the Czech Republic.[30][31]

In June 2022, Mace featured as part of the starting eleven for the under-19s in the 2022 U-19 Championship fixtures against Norway and Sweden as centre-back, in a win and a loss,[32][33] prior to being replaced for the match against Germany due to injury.[34]

Mace was first named as part of the squad for the England under-23s on 8 February 2023.[35] Throughout 2023 she went on to play as the number 4 (a defensive midfielder), as part of the starting eleven, playing in fixtures against Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, Italy, Portugal and France.[36] In October 2023, in discussing the U23 side, Mace said her goal is "just pushing myself to be the best that I can be, to transform into the seniors.".[17] In February 2024, BBC Sport listed Mace as one of the five future Lionesses, described as "one of England's most highly-rated youngsters".[3]

Senior

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Mace was first called up to the senior squad on 19 November 2024, for the friendly matches against the United States and Switzerland.[37] In being selected, she became the first Leciester City women's player to be called up to the senior team.[38] On 3 December, she made her debut against Switzerland in the starting eleven with England winning the game 1–0.[39]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 24 November 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2019–20 Women's Super League 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2020–21 Women's Super League 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 6 0
Total 3 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 7 0
Birmingham City (loan) 2020–21 Women's Super League 11 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 2
Manchester City 2021–22 Women's Super League 7 0 2 0 6 0 0 0 15 0
2022–23 Women's Super League 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 0
2023–24 Women's Super League 5 0 1 0 3 0 — 9 0
Total 13 0 3 0 13 0 0 0 29 0
Leicester City (loan) 2022–23 Women's Super League 10 0 1 0 — — 11 0
Leicester City 2024–25 Women's Super League 8 0 0 0 2 0 — 10 0
Total 18 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 21 0
Career total 45 2 7 0 18 0 0 0 70 2

International

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As of match played 3 December 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2024 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Manchester City

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ruby Mace Profile". Manchester City F.C. 8 February 2024.[permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Ruby Mace". Leicester City F.C. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b Sanders, Emma (26 February 2024). "England Under-23s: Five future Lionesses to look out for". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. ^ Sessions, George (16 May 2019). "Havering's Mace continues to progress at Arsenal and hopeful of England selection". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 16 November 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b Fasanella, Kaleigh (21 July 2023). "Football Star Ruby Mace Says Sport Has Had a Huge Impact on Her Self-Confidence — Here's How". Pop Sugar.
  6. ^ Sessions, George (16 May 2019). "Havering's Mace continues to progress at Arsenal and hopeful of England selection". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  7. ^ Bunting, Josh (17 October 2020). "Preview: Arsenal host north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur". Hackney Gazette. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  8. ^ Bunting, Josh (12 October 2020). "Arsenal put in five star performance at Brighton". Islington Gazette. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. ^ Bunting, Josh (18 October 2020). "Vivianne Miedema breaks record as Arsenal claim bragging rights over rivals Tottenham". Islington Gazette. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  10. ^ Bunting, Josh (7 November 2020). "Miedema hits four as Arsenal roar to victory at London City Lionesses". Hackney Gazette. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Ruby Mace: Birmingham City sign Arsenal midfielder on dual contract". BBC Sport. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Arsenal's Mace joins Man City women". BBC Sport. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  13. ^ Oatway, Caroline (31 October 2021). "Mace: City debut an 'incredible' feeling". Manchester City F.C.
  14. ^ "Watch: Man City beat Chelsea to win Women's League Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b Lindop, Beth (9 April 2024). "Man City defender lifts lid on title race hopes and inspiring next generation". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Roebuck, Stokes, Mace & Angeldahl leaving Man City". BBC Sport. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Wilkes, Louise (29 October 2023). "Rising City star Ruby Mace relishes home chance in England u23 squad". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Man City midfielder Mace joins Leicester on loan". BBC Sport. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Shootout Heartbreak For The Foxes". www.lcfc.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Leicester City Women v Reading Women". BBC Sport. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  21. ^ Thomas, Marissa (21 May 2023). "WSL relegation fight goes to wire as West Ham beat Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Mace makes LCFC Women return". www.lcfc.com. 20 July 2024.
  23. ^ Toloui, Anton (19 September 2024). "Leicester Women's Ruby Mace: It's time to show what I can do after leaving Man City Women". Sky News.
  24. ^ Pinnock, Hannah (2 July 2024). "Leicester 'hoping' to complete Ruby Mace signing despite Chelsea interest". 90min. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  25. ^ Wilkes, Louise (27 October 2023). "Man City's Ruby Mace remarks on teammate Khiara Keating's senior England call-up". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  26. ^ "England 4–0 Bosnia: UEFA Women's U17 Championship qualifier". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Belgium 1–4 England: UEFA Women's U17 Championship qualifier". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  28. ^ "Republic of Ireland-England | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  29. ^ "England-Switzerland | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  30. ^ "England-Wales | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Belgium-England | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  32. ^ "England-Norway | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Sweden-England | Women's Under-19 2022". UEFA.com. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  34. ^ Smith, Frank (3 July 2022). "Match report: England WU19s 0-3 Germany". England Football. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Young Lionesses ready to roar again in February". England Football. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  36. ^
  37. ^ Sanders, Emma (19 November 2024). "Hemp to miss England matches after knee surgery". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  38. ^ "Leicester's Mace hopes to 'cement' position". BBC Sport. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  39. ^ Ruszkai, Ameé (3 December 2024). "England women's player ratings vs Switzerland: Grace Clinton sends a message while Ruby Mace enjoys strong Lionesses debut in Sarina Wiegman's experimental XI | Goal.com Kenya". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  40. ^ a b "England - R. Mace - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
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