Best Women Soccer Players From England: English women’s soccer has given us some of the world’s greatest players. The recent victories of the Lionesses at Euro 2022 and Women’s Finalissima 2023 have made it clear that England is a strong force in women’s soccer.
But who are the best women’s soccer players from England? And who are the top scorers from the England women’s team?
In this article, we’ll list the top 10 female soccer players from England and the top 10 goal-scorers for the England women’s team.
1. Ellen White
- Career Span: 2010–2022
- Matches: 113
- Goals: 52
- Average: 0.46
Ellen White is a top women’s soccer player from England who has achieved many milestones in her career. She made her senior national team debut on March 25, 2010, in a World Cup qualifier against Austria, where she scored a goal.
In 2017, she helped England qualify for the European Championships by playing in a few matches. She scored in the group stage against Scotland but was substituted during the game against Spain. In 2019, she participated in the SheBelieves Cup and played in three games, scoring a goal in one of them. She was also part of the England team for the 2019 World Cup, where she scored six goals and became the record goal-scorer for England in World Cup tournaments.
In November 2021, England won 20-0 against Latvia in World Cup qualifying, and White scored three goals, making her the all-time leading goal-scorer for England. On April 8, 2022, she scored her 50th goal for England in a 10-0 win against North Macedonia, surpassing famous English players Sir Bobby Charlton and Harry Kane.
Ellen White’s career has been full of achievements and goals for the England women’s soccer team.
2. Kelly Smith
- Career Span: 1995–2015
- Matches: 117
- Goals: 46
- Average: 0.39
Kelly Smith had a remarkable career. She made her debut for the England national team in 1994. In 1995, Smith played a key role in securing the championship for her club, Arsenal, with two goals in a 3-0 win over Liverpool FC. She then moved to the USA for her college education, where she excelled in soccer. After college, she played in professional leagues, including the WUSA and the W-League in the USA.
Smith returned to Arsenal in 2004 and contributed significantly to the team’s success, securing the championship with a spectacular long-range goal against Charlton Athletic. She later played for the Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
Smith represented England in international competitions, including the World Cup and the Olympics. She made her 100th international appearance in a game against Italy in the Cyprus Cup in 2011. Despite some injuries, she played a vital role in the national team’s performance.
In 2015, Smith announced her retirement from the national team after playing 117 international matches for England. She continued to play for her club and also pursued her coaching license, marking the end of a remarkable international soccer career.
3. Kerry Davis
- Career Span: 1982–1998
- Matches: 82
- Goals: 44
- Average: 0.54
Kerry Davis made history by becoming England’s first black woman international player in 1982. Davis played a significant role in the early years of women’s soccer.
In 1984, she participated in the first UEFA championships for national women’s teams. England reached the final but lost to Sweden on penalties, despite Davis scoring her kick. She continued to be a key player for England, contributing to their campaigns in various international tournaments.
Davis played in all four of England’s matches at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was a versatile player, often switching between midfielder and defender positions. By the time of her final international appearance in March 1998, Davis had scored 44 goals in 82 appearances for England.
Davis held the title of England’s all-time record goalscorer, although there was some uncertainty about the official status of her goals due to changes in women’s football administration. In 2012, Kelly Smith surpassed her goal tally, but Davis remained a pioneering figure in English women’s soccer history.
4. Karen Walker
- Career Span: 1988–2003
- Matches: 83
- Goals: 40
- Average: 0.48
Karen Walker was a talented women’s soccer player from England. She made her debut for the England national team in July 1988 as a teenager, playing against an Italy B team in the Mundialito tournament.
Walker made an impressive start by scoring with her first kick of the ball, which motivated her to pursue her football career more seriously.
In November 2022, The Football Association recognized Walker as one of the England national team’s legacy players. She was honored as the 13th women’s player to be capped by England, acknowledging her contributions to the sport.
5. Fara Williams
- Career Span: 2001–2019
- Matches: 172
- Goals: 40
- Average: 0.23
Fara Williams made her debut for the England national team in 2001 during a match in Portugal. Williams played in several major tournaments, including the 2005 European Championships, the 2007 World Cup, and the 2009 European Championships. She also participated in the 2012 London Olympics as part of Team GB.
In 2013, Williams won the Cyprus Cup with England and was part of the squad for the 2013 European Championships. She made history by earning her 130th international cap, becoming England’s all-time record holder, surpassing Rachel Yankey.
Williams played a crucial role in the 2015 World Cup, scoring five goals, including the winning penalty against Germany in the third-place match. With this victory, England achieved their highest-ever finish in the Women’s World Cup.
She continued her impressive international career, reaching her 150th cap in 2016. Williams played for Arsenal Ladies FC and later joined Reading FC, where she concluded her career in 2021. Throughout her journey, she became England’s top goalscorer in World Cup tournaments and remains one of the women’s national team’s top scorers with 40 goals. Williams’ contributions to English women’s soccer are remarkable and enduring.
6. Hope Powell
- Career Span: 1983–1998
- Matches: 66
- Goals: 35
- Average: 0.53
Hope Powell is a distinguished women’s soccer player from England. She made 66 appearances for the England national team, primarily playing as a midfielder and scoring 35 goals. Powell started her international career at the young age of 16 and was part of the England squad for the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She also served as the vice-captain of her country.
At the club level, Powell played for the London-based team Millwall Lionesses for eleven years. During her time there, she won the FA Women’s Cup in 1991. She also played for Friends of Fulham for two years. After her successful stint with Millwall Lionesses, Powell founded a new club Bromley Borough in Bromley, London, along with some teammates. The team rose to the first class after playing just three years.
In 1994, before their first season in the Premier League, the club was relocated to Croydon and renamed through a collaboration with the London club Croydon FC. Powell served as the captain of Croydon and led the team to win the league and FA Women’s Cup in 1996. Later, the team moved to Charlton Athletic. Powell concluded her playing career in 1998 after making significant contributions to women’s soccer in England.
7. Eniola Aluko
- Career Span: 2004–2017
- Matches: 102
- Goals: 33
- Average: 0.32
Eniola Aluko is a talented women’s soccer player from England, known for her skill and contributions to the national team. She represented England in several major tournaments, including the 2005 European Championship, the 2007 World Cup, and the 2009 European Championship, where England finished as runners-up. Aluko was also part of the squad for the 2011 World Cup.
In the 2012 London Olympics, she played in all four games for Team GB but was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Canada. Aluko continued her international career and was selected for England’s squad in Euro 2013 in Sweden, where she scored a goal in the three games she played.
During the SheBelieves Cup in 2016, Aluko reached her 100th international cap for England in a game against France, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Her contributions to the team and her achievements mark her as one of England’s notable women’s soccer players.
8. Karen Carney
- Career Span: 2005–2019
- Matches: 144
- Goals: 32
- Average: 0.22
Karen Carney was a notable women’s soccer player from England, known for her skills and achievements on the field. She made her debut for the English national team on February 17, 2005, in a game against Italy, where she scored a goal right away. Carney participated in several major tournaments, including the 2005 and 2009 European Championships and the 2007 World Championships.
During her international career, Carney played in significant matches, contributing to England’s successes. She was part of Team GB in the 2012 London Olympics and played in all four games, although the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Canada. Carney also represented England in the 2015 World Cup, where the team achieved their highest-ever finish, securing third place.
In the subsequent qualification for the 2017 European Championship, Carney played a crucial role, scoring six goals in six games and helping England qualify confidently as group winners. She continued to be a key player for the team, winning the SheBelieves Cup in 2019.
Carney’s remarkable international career came to an end after the 2019 World Cup, where she made three appearances in the group games and announced her retirement from the national team before the game for third place against Sweden. She had played 144 international matches for England, making her one of the most capped players, and scored 32 goals, earning her a place among the top scorers in the team’s history. Her contributions to English women’s soccer were significant and enduring.
9. Gillian Coultard
- Career Span: 1981–2000
- Matches: 119
- Goals: 30
- Average: 0.25
Gillian Coultard is a respected women’s soccer player from England, known for her contributions to the national team. She earned her first cap in 1981, playing in a 3-1 win against Ireland. Although FIFA records do not list this match, she became a significant figure in English women’s soccer.
In 1984, Coultard and her team qualified for the first women’s European Championship and reached the finals against Sweden, which they lost in a penalty shootout. Over the years, Coultard played crucial roles in various tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup in Sweden in 1995, where she scored two goals against Canada, helping England secure a 3-0 lead.
She continued her international career, earning her 100th cap in a historic match against Scotland in 1997. By the time she retired in 2000, Coultard had made 119 international appearances and scored 30 goals, placing her 9th on the top scorer list for England. After her retirement, she was honored by UEFA for her achievements.
Coultard’s dedication and skill made her a standout player, and she remains an influential figure in the history of English women’s soccer.
10. Beth Mead
- Career Span: 2018–
- Matches: 50
- Goals: 29
- Average: 0.58
Beth Mead is a standout women’s soccer player from England, known for her remarkable performances on the field. She made her debut for the senior national team in 2018, coming on as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Wales. Mead quickly established herself as a key player, scoring two goals in her first start against Kazakhstan.
She continued to shine in international competitions, notably during the SheBelieves Cup where she played a pivotal role in England’s victory. Mead’s skills and goal-scoring abilities were evident in the 2019 World Cup, where she provided crucial assists in important matches, helping England secure a fourth-place finish.
In the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup, Mead made a significant impact, scoring 12 goals in just eight games, including a historic 20-0 victory against Latvia. Her contributions were vital in England surpassing European records and earning their spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Mead’s talent was further showcased in the 2022 European Championship, where she played a pivotal role in England’s triumph. She scored vital goals, including the winning goal in the opening game against Austria. Mead’s outstanding performance led her to be named the tournament’s top scorer, and she was recognized as the best player of the championship. Her achievements continue to make her a key asset to the England national team.
