Kerry Davis

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For the radio producer and writer, see Keri Davies.

Kerry Davis
Davis in 2015
Personal information
Full name Kerry Davis
Date of birth (1962-08-02) 2 August 1962 (age 61)[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 82 (44)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kerry Davis (born 2 August 1962) is an English former international women's

Croydon
.

Club career

Davis was a 23–year–old student from

national Cup
before the club folded and Bampton returned to England.

After a further year at Napoli, Davis returned to

Croydon Women in December 1994.[6]

In 1996, Davis was playing for Croydon

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

Davis made her England debut in 1982, becoming England's first black woman international.

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.

Awards

Davis received the Keith Alexander award, at the Football Black List event in April, 2024, for being a pioneer in women's football.[20]

Personal life

Davis was born in England to a Jamaican father and English mother.[21] After returning from Italy Davis worked in a sports shop in Stoke-on-Trent.[4]

References

  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. ^ "'There were no black players on the pitch': Hope Powell and Kerry Davis on women's football's diversity problem".
  12. ^ Tony Leighton (19 May 2009). "England's shoot-out jinx begins - England, 1984". The Guardian. 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. ^ "Kerry 'Pioneer and a Leader'". The Voice. April 2024. p. 46.
  21. ^ "Lost Lionesses: The black pioneers of women's football".
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