Mary Phillip

Mary Rose Phillip (born 14 March 1977) is a former English international footballer. A versatile player, she played in all four positions at the back and also in midfield. Phillip captained England and—until 2011—was the only player to represent the country in two World Cup squads. She enjoyed a successful club career with Millwall Lionesses, Fulham, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Phillip joined Milwall Lionesses as a 12-year-old, then moved to Fulham as a professional in 2000.

Phillip became the club captain at Fulham, for whom she lifted The FA Women’s Cup in front of 10,000 fans and 1.9m viewers on BBC Television in May 2003, the season Fulham completed the treble.

Phillip’s strength and composure at the heart of defence brings reassurance to her teammates and she is always on hand to provide some advice to the younger members of the squad.

She was a strong player for Arsenal Ladies in central defence and was with the club for four years after joining from Fulham Ladies in July 2004. Her central defensive partnership with Faye White was key to Arsenal's unprecedented success, both domestically and in Europe. At the end of the 2007/08 season it was announced that Phillip would be leaving Arsenal Ladies. She later joined Chelsea Ladies in time for the start of the 2008/09 season. In October 2008 Phillip retired from football at the age of 31.

Phillip made her England debut whilst with Millwall Lionesses, playing in the same team as current national coach Hope Powell in 1996. As an 18-year-old she received an unexpected call-up to the 1995 World Cup squad. Phillip won six caps then spent four years (1998–2002) out of the international set-up while having her two sons. She returned to the international set-up early in 2002 and her performances at the international friendly tournament, The Algarve Cup, in March showed that she was back to full fitness.

Phillip subsequently captained England in two international friendlies against Sweden in February 2006 when Faye White was absent with an ankle injury.

Phillip also captained England in the absence of her teammate Faye White, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury at the start of the 2006/07 season, when they overcame France to secure passage to the World Cup in China. After being named in the squad for China, Phillip became the first English player to feature in two World Cup squads. In February 2008 Phillip was one of a record eight Arsenal players who started in England's 2–1 friendly win over Norway. She won a total of 65 caps for the national side.

Arsenal

• Women’s Premier League: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
• UEFA Women’s Cup: 2006/07
• FA Cup: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08
• Premier League Cup: 2004/05, 2006/07
• Community Shield: 2005/06

Fulham

• Women’s Premier League: 2002/03
• FA Cup: 2001/02, 2002/03
• Premier League Cup: 2000/01, 2001/02, 2002/03
• Community Shield: 2002/03, 2003/04

Millwall Lionesses

• FA Cup: 1996/97
• Premier League Cup: 1996/97