EDUCATOR. HISTORIAN. CONSULTANT.
Kerry - Hope - Brenda - Samantha - Mary - Rachel - Una - Carmaine - Anita - Eniola - Alexandra
The First11
Lionesses
The Black Soccer Academic - 1607
Kerry Davis was born in Stoke-on-Trent to English and Jamaican parents. The Crewe Alexandra Ladies striker won the first of 90 caps on September 19th 1982.
She started against Northern Ireland and scored twice in a 7-1 win at Gresty Road. Davis scored 43 goals between 1982 and 1998.
She is the first England player with Black heritage to score a senior hat-trick, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Hope Patricia Powell CBE was born in Lewisham to Jamaican parents and made her England debut at the age of 16.
The Millwall Lionesses won her first cap on September 11th 1983. She appeared in a 6-0 win against the Republic of Ireland at Elm Park.
Powell went onto make 72 appearances and scored 17 goals between 1983 and 1998. She was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
1. Kerry Davis
Debut: September 19th 1982
Caps: 90
Legacy number 59
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2. Hope Powell
Debut: September 11th 1983
Caps: 72
Legacy number 61
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Known as one of the most skilful midfielders of her generation, Brenda Sempare debuted for England on September 11th 1983.
Of English and Ghanaian descent, the Friends of Fulham star scored the first of her 5 international goals against Italy in the final of the 1985 Mundialito (Little World Cup).
Sempare won 55 caps between 1983 and 1995 and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
3. Brenda Sempare
Debut: September 11th 1983
Caps: 55
Legacy number 62
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The Black Soccer Academic - 1607
4. Sammy Britton
Debut: January 1st 1991
Caps: 65
Legacy number 88
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Samantha Britton was born in Huddersfield to English and Jamaican parents. She made her England debut on January 1st 1991 against Russia at the Spartak Varna Stadium.
She could play at full-back, on the wing or in midfield. Her versatility saw her play a key role at the 1995 World Cup, where she started in all four of the Lionesses matches.
She won 65 caps and scored 3 goals between 1991 and 2003.
Mary Rose Phillip was born in Peckham London to Irish and Saint Lucian parents. The Millwall Lionesses central defender made her England debut at the age of 19.
On April 18th 1996 she started in England’s 2-0 win against Croatia in Osijek. In 2003 she became the first Black footballer to captain the Lionesses.
She won 65 caps between 1996 and 2008, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
5. Mary Phillip
Debut: April 18th 1996
Caps: 65
Legacy number 114
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Rachel Aba Yankey OBE was born in London to English and Ghanaian parents. The Arsenal winger made her England debut on August 23rd 1997.
Aged 17, she started and scored in a 4-0 win against Scotland and was a brilliant left winger.
She won 129 caps between 1997 and 2013 and is our nation's ‘very’ first Black Centurian. She was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
6. Rachel Yankey
Debut: August 1997
Caps: 129
Legacy number 126
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7. Una Nwajei
Debut: March 1st 2002
Caps: 3
Legacy number 142
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Una Obiose Kriston Nwajei is the first Black Lioness to be born outside of England. Born in Nigeria. The striker played for Southampton Saints whilst she was at university.
Her form won her a call up to the England squad and in March 2002, she started against Norway in the Algarve Cup.
She made 3 appearances for the Lionesses.
The Black Soccer Academic - 1607
Carmaine Walker was born in London to parents of Jamaican, English and African descent. A prolific striker at club level, she played for Crystal Palace.
She won her first cap whilst playing for Charlton Athletic. Called up to the squad in early 2003, she debuted for the Lionesses against Italy in a friendly held in Viareggio.
She won more caps on England’s 2003 tour of North America and won 7 caps between 2003 and 2004.
8. Carmaine Walker
Debut: February 3rd 2003
Caps: 7
Legacy number 148
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Anita Amma Ankyewah Asante was born in London to Ghanaian parents. She made her England debut at the age of 19.
On May 14th 2004, she replaced Mary Phillip in a 1-0 win against Iceland at the London Road Stadium. She kept her place in the squad despite moving to play in America.
She made two appearances at the 2011 World Cup and won 71 caps between 2004 and 2018.
9. Anita Asante
Debut: May 14th 2004
Caps: 71
Legacy number 152
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Eniola Aluko MBE was born in Lagos to Nigerian parents and moved to England as a young girl.
Aged 17, she made her England debut on September 18th 2004, starting against Holland in a 2-1 win. Aluko is one of 4 Black Lionesses to have scored an England hat-trick.
She made 102 appearances and won the Bronze at the 2015 World Cup. Her 100th cap came in 2016 against France.
10. Eni Aluko
Debut: September 18th 2004
Caps: 102
Legacy number 154
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11. Alex Scott
Debut: September 18th 2004
Caps: 140
Legacy number 156
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Alexandra Virina Scott MBE was born in London to English and Jamaican parents. She made her England debut as a Birmingham City player.
She won her first cap on September 18th 2004 in a 2-1 win against Holland. She represented the Lionesses at 4 Euros, winning a silver medal in 2009, and 3 World Cups, winning a bronze in 2015.
The right-back won 140 caps between 2004 and 2017, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2019.