Casey Stoney

Casey Jean Stoney, MBE (born 13 May 1982) is an English footballer who plays for FA WSL club Liverpool. A versatile defender, she has been capped more than 100 times for the England women's national football team since making her debut in 2000. After being a non playing squad member at UEFA Women's Euro 2005, she was an integral part of the England teams which reached the UEFA Women's Euro 2009 final and the quarter finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011. In 2012 Stoney succeeded Faye White as the England captain and also became captain of the newly formed Team GB squad for the 2012 London Olympics.

Stoney joined Chelsea Ladies at the age of 12, and moved on to Arsenal Ladies in 1999. She was already an England international when she joined Charlton Athletic Ladies in the summer of 2002 in search of regular first-team football. She also took up a scholarship at The Football Association's National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University. In a successful first season Stoney captained Charlton to their first FA Women's Cup final.

She led Charlton to success in the FA Women's Premier League Cup in 2004, the FA Women's Cup in 2005 as Charlton beat Everton 1–0, and the 2–1 victory over Arsenal in the 2006 Premier League Cup. When Charlton disbanded their entire women's section following the relegation of Charlton Athletic men's team in 2007, Stoney expressed a forceful opinion:

I'm disgusted with the club – the men get relegated and we get punished. The club's only trophies in recent years have been won by the women's team – and in the last four seasons we were the only side apart from Arsenal to win major honours. Seven weeks ago we played in front of a record crowd at the FA Cup final – that's now our last match and I'm totally gutted for everyone involved on the women's side. I just hope that what has happened to us doesn't reverberate around the women's game – otherwise it will be in serious trouble.

In July 2007 she signed for Chelsea Ladies along with Charlton and England teammate Eniola Aluko. In February 2009 she became player-manager until the end of the season, following the resignation of Steve Jones. At Stoney's recommendation, Matt Beard took over as manager for 2009–10.

On 13 March 2010 Stoney announced on Twitter that she had signed for FA WSL rivals Lincoln Ladies to play alongside England stars such as Sue Smith and Jess Clarke. Stoney stated that Lincoln offered the prospect of full-time training, which Chelsea were unable to match. Keith Boanas, her manager at Charlton, revealed that Stoney is a Chelsea supporter so found the decision extremely difficult. Stoney re-joined Arsenal on a two-year deal for the 2014 season, citing her desire to win more trophies.

On 13 December 2016, Liverpool confirmed that Stoney had signed with the club.

Stoney came through England's under–age squads, making her debut for the senior side in August 2000 as a substitute against France. She was named in the provisional 30–player squad for Euro 2001 but did not make the final list of 20 and remained on the standby list. She made her first start in March 2002 against Norway, and, after spells in central defence and at right back, went on to become England's first choice left back. In February 2003 Stoney wore the captain's armband when regular skipper Karen Walker was substituted in a 1–0 friendly defeat to Italy. Her first senior international goal came as England beat Portugal 4–0 in the Algarve Cup in March 2005.

Stoney was named in the squad for Euro 2005, hosted in England, but remained unused as the hosts made a group stage exit. Her disappointment was such that she considered retiring from international football. But by the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, Stoney, preferred to Rachel Unitt at left back, was one of four England players to play every minute of every match as they lost a quarter final 3–0 to the United States. Stoney won the Nationwide International Player of the Year award for the 2007–08 season, ahead of Anita Asante and Alex Scott. In May 2009, Stoney was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association (FA).

At the Euro 2009 final tournament in Finland, Stoney recovered from a red card in a 2–1 opening match defeat to Italy to help England reach the final. Stoney explained that for many players this was not only the best moment of their careers, but possibly the happiest moment in their lives.

Stoney started all four of England's games at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, and converted her kick in the quarter final penalty shootout defeat to France. When pregnant Faye White retired from international football in 2012, Hope Powell appointed Stoney as the new England captain. "It's an absolute honour, the biggest privilege I've ever been given," was Stoney's response.

In 2013 Stoney became the first female member of the Professional Footballers' Association's management committee. She led England into their Euro 2013 campaign but the team performed poorly and finished in last place, to her "bitter disappointment". When England's longstanding manager Hope Powell was sacked, Stoney was left out of new boss Mark Sampson's first squad due to a foot injury. Sampson informed Stoney that her captaincy was under review, a decision she understood. Stephanie Houghton was then named as her successor as captain.

After being called for her third straight World Cup, Stoney said the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada would be her last. Mostly coming out of the bench, Stoney was part of the first English team to qualify for the semifinals.

International goals

Scores and results list England's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Competition	Scored
1	9 March 2005	Estádio de São Luís, Faro	Portugal	4–0	2005 Algarve Cup	1
2	8 March 2007	National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes	Russia	6–0	Friendly	1
3	7 March 2009	Paralimni Stadium, Paralimni	France	2–2	2009 Cyprus Cup	1
4	1 March 2010	Larnaca	Switzerland	2–2	2010 Cyprus Cup	1
5	19 September 2012	Bescot Stadium, Walsall	Croatia	3–0	UEFA Euro 2013 Qual.	1
6	19 June 2014	Arena Lviv, Lviv	Ukraine	2–1	2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Qual.	1

Great Britain Olympic

In June 2012 Stoney was named in the 18–player Great Britain squad formed for the 2012 London Olympics. The group was selected by England manager Hope Powell and comprised 16 English players plus Scots Kim Little and Ifeoma Dieke. Stoney was confirmed in her role as captain.

International goals

Scores and results list Great Britain's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Competition	Scored
1	28 July 2012	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff	Cameroon	3–0	2012 Olympic Games	1

In November 2012, Stoney was named 50th on The Independent newspaper's Pink List of influential lesbian and gay people in the UK. On 10 February 2014, Stoney first publicly acknowledged that she was gay. She is in a relationship with her former Lincoln team mate Megan Harris. On 16 July 2014, she announced that Harris is pregnant with twins. Megan gave birth to their twins, Teddy and Tilly, on 9 November 2014.

In May 2015 the University of Essex announced that it would be awarding Stoney an honorary degree.

• FA Women's Premier League National Division: 2

2000–01, 2001–02

• FA Women's Cup: 4

2000–01, 2004–05, 2013–14, 2015–16

• FA Women's Premier League Cup: 4

1999–00, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2005–06

• FA International Player of the Year Award: 1

2007–08