Jump to content

Leah Williamson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Leah Williams.

Leah Williamson
OBE
Williamson with England in 2022
Personal information
Full name Leah Cathrine Williamson[1]
Date of birth (1997-03-29) 29 March 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder, centre back
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 6
Youth career
2003–2006 Rushden & Diamonds
2006–2013 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014– Arsenal 149 (8)
International career‡
2010–2011 England U15 1 (0)
2012–2013 England U17 16 (2)
2014–2016 England U19 15 (6)
2014 England U20 3 (0)
2014–2018 England U23 6 (0)
2018– England 50 (5)
2021– Great Britain 3 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  England
UEFA Women's Championship
Winner 2022 England
UEFA–CONMEBOL Finalissima
Winner 2023 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 October 2024

Leah Cathrine Williamson OBE (born 29 March 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women's national team. A versatile player, she plays in central defence or the midfield. She has spent her entire senior domestic career at Arsenal. She also represented Great Britain at the Olympics in 2021. Williamson captained England to their first UEFA European Championship victory, and the women's team's first international title, in 2022, for which she was named in the Team of the Tournament.

After being part of Arsenal's youth programme from the age of nine, Williamson debuted for the senior team as a teenager at the end of their 2014 Champions League campaign; she started for them in the League Cup final that year, in which she had individual success.[3] With Arsenal, Williamson has won the League once and the FA Cup and League Cup twice each. She has captained Arsenal on various occasions and reached 200 appearances for them in December 2022.[4]

Williamson represented England for all their age-group teams before making her senior debut in 2018, for 2019 FIFA World Cup qualifying. She was used sparsely in her first years with England, then became a regular under manager Sarina Wiegman, who also made her permanent captain in 2022.[5][6]

Early life

[edit]

Leah Cathrine Williamson was born on 29 March 1997 in Milton Keynes to David Williamson and his wife, Amanda (Baker) Williamson [7] and grew up in Newport Pagnell on the northern edge of the urban area, attending Portfields School for primary education and Ousedale School for secondary.[8] She comes from a divided footballing family, with her brother and father fans of North London team Tottenham Hotspur, while she, her mother and grandmother are lifelong fans of Arsenal F.C. (Spurs' main rivals).[9][10][11] Williamson's mother played football when she was younger, cutting her hair short so that she would look like a boy and be allowed to play.[12]

In 2006, she was selected as the mascot to the Arsenal men's team in a league cup match at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion. Despite being on holiday, her mother drove her the 430 mile round trip from Bude to ensure her dream was fulfilled. She was rewarded with a photo with Arsenal's Theo Walcott.[11] In 2007, she was selected as a mascot for the Lionesses and accompanied Kelly Smith, the captain at the time and a future teammate who Williamson would later follow when she became England captain. Smith autographed a photo for Williamson and told her to "dream big".[13][14]

After watching long jumper Greg Rutherford, who also comes from Milton Keynes, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Williamson briefly considered switching her focus to athletics, a sport she had local experience in, inspired to become an Olympic athlete.[15]

Club career

[edit]

Rushden & Diamonds

[edit]

Williamson joined Rushden & Diamonds Centre of Excellence at the age of 6. On that period, Williamson said, "My coach at the time left to go to Arsenal. I went across with her and had a couple of trials and luckily they took me on and I never looked back from there. So I owe it all to my coach from when I was 9."[16]

Arsenal

[edit]

Williamson joined Arsenal's Centre of Excellence in 2006 at the age of nine.[17]

2014

[edit]

Williamson made her senior team debut the day after her seventeenth birthday when she came on as an 81st-minute substitution for Rachel Yankey in Arsenal's 0–2 defeat to Birmingham City in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final.[18][failed verification] She made her FA WSL debut on 16 April against Notts County.[19] She won her first major title, the 2014 FA Women's Cup with Arsenal on 1 June in the final against Everton, in which she came on as a 76th-minute substitute for Jade Bailey.[20][failed verification] On 13 July, Williamson netted her first professional goal for Arsenal in a 4–0 win away against Millwall Lionesses in the League Cup.[21] On 4 September, she scored her first league goal against Chelsea.[22] She made 12 appearances in the 2014 FA Women's Super League. Williamson played in the 2014 League Cup final against Manchester City which Arsenal lost 1–0.[23] At the end of the 2014 season, she was named the League Cup Player of the Year, ahead of Jess Clarke from Notts County, Ji So-yun from Chelsea and Toni Duggan from Manchester City.[3]

2015

[edit]
Rachel Yankey giving Williamson the captain's armband during a match in 2015

On 8 January, Williamson won the England Women's Youth Player of the Year award.[24] Before the start of the 2015 FA Women's Super League, on 31 March, Williamson signed her first professional contract with Arsenal.[25] On 26 April, she was named the 2014–15 PFA Young Women's Player of the Year.[26] Williamson scored her first goal of the season in a convincing 3–0 home victory over Watford in the League Cup on 23 July.[27] Williamson was a key figure in the club's victorious League Cup campaign, after the quarter final win over holders Manchester City, who had beaten Arsenal in the final, Williamson said, "I think Arsenal as a football club have won a lot of trophies in the past and we wanted to keep winning silverware for the club. Even with the younger players in the squad we all thought we have got to win, the morale was certainly high before the game. Last year’s final was always in the back of our mind and we know how good a side City can be. After going 1–0 up it was all about defending which we managed to do and it was a great result for us. I think we can win the cup as we have won it three times but we have to keep on focusing on the next game."[28]

2016

[edit]

Williamson helped her team reach the final of the FA Cup of 2016, which Arsenal won by a 1–0 margin over Chelsea.[29]

2017–18

[edit]

Williamson was ever-present in the 2017–18 FA WSL Cup as Arsenal ended as Champions beating the defending champions, Manchester City in the final. Arsenal's league campaign was more disappointing with Arsenal missing out a top two finish and Champions League qualification for the sixth consecutive edition of the WSL. She started the season in midfield but switched to central defence with the arrival of new manager Joe Montemurro in December 2017. On her change of position, Williamson said, "I’m not sure in the long term and I never want to shut the door on either position, because I know I can do both. But I’m enjoying playing as a centre back with the way we play. Under Joe we want to play out from the back and that suits my qualities. At the minute I am enjoying playing at centre half, but I’m open minded about what the future holds."[30] Towards the end of the season, Williamson reflected on the season since Montemurro took over, "I feel like since Joe came in we’re back on a journey again, we had lost that a little bit. Despite today, I feel like we’re building something. But pretty much every game we have played since around November has been a must win game and that takes its toll emotionally. In every single game we have known no less than a win will do, in the league and in the cups."[31]

2018–19

[edit]

On 14 October 2018, Arsenal laid down a marker in their title challenge with a 5–0 thrashing of champions Chelsea, inflicting a first home defeat on the champions since July 2016.[32] Joe Montemurro began utilizing Williamson on the right of a back three and after a 4–0 win at Bristol City on 28 October, in which Williamson assisted Jordan Nobbs for one of the goals, he commented positively on her performance.[33] Arsenal won their first nine games and went into the match with Manchester City six points clear of their title rivals; however, they lost 2–0 amid an injury crisis. Two games later, on Williamson's 100th Arsenal appearance, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea allowed Manchester City to move a point clear albeit having played one game more.[34]

On 23 February, Arsenal attempted to defend their title in the FA WSL Continental Cup but Manchester City won 4–2 on penalties; nevertheless, Montemurro praised Williamson after the match.[35] In the league, Arsenal won four games in a row, and after a 5–1 victory at Liverpool on 24 March, England manager Phil Neville indicated his confidence that Williamson would one day captain the national team.[36] The team won another four games in a row to clinch the title with a 4–0 defeat of Brighton at the Falmer Stadium on 28 April.[37] During the season, the most common passes exchanged were between Williamson and Lisa Evans at right wing back. Williamson took the most touches out of any Arsenal player, with 1,501, and completed the most passes in the opposition’s half (591). She also made thirty interceptions, more than any other player in the squad.[38][39]

2019–20

[edit]

Williamson was voted to the PFA Team of the Year for 2019-20.[40]

2020–21

[edit]

On 13 September 2020, Williamson netted her first goal of the season in Arsenal's 9–1 victory over fellow London side West Ham United.

On 18 November, Williamson made her 150th appearance in all competitions for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Continental Cup a game which Arsenal would draw 2–2 but go on to win 5–4 on penalties.

2021–22

[edit]

On 16 June 2021, Arsenal announced that Williamson had signed a new one-year contract with the club until the end of the 2021–22 season.[41] On November 13 she suffered a signfificant hamstring injury in the match against Tottenham.[42] Teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy dedicated her goal in the next game to Leah.[43] She returned to play after two months.[44]

Just seven months after signing the one-year contract, in January 2022, she agreed to a prolonged contract with the club. Arsenal did not disclose the duration of the new commitment, but coach Jonas Eidevall stated that Leah Williamson is "a player for us to build Arsenal around".[45]

2022–23

[edit]

On 21 April, she announced her injury from two days prior was a ruptured ACL, ruling her out of the Champion’s League and the World Cup later that year.[46]

2023–24

[edit]

Williamson returned from injury on 21 January 2024 to play in the Conti Cup against Reading, where she came on as a substitute for Jen Beattie in the 61st minute and assisted a goal in the 6-0 win.[47]

International career

[edit]

England

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Williamson has represented England since 2010 at youth levels. As a midfielder, she was first called up to train with the under-15 team for a thirty-player camp in April 2010,[48] and was retained for the new season in August 2010.[49] She captained the England under-17 side in the 2014 UEFA Under-17 Championship (held in November and December 2013), where they eventually finished fourth; they lost on penalties in the third place play-off against Italy, with Williamson scoring one of England's three to Italy's four[50][51] and being included in the team of the tournament.[52] She was also part of the under-20 team to compete in the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada in August 2014. Williamson featured in the starting lineup in each England game, though they exited in the group stage without winning a match.[53]

On 9 April 2015, Williamson scored a penalty for her team in a qualifying match against Norway for the 2015 UEFA under-19 championship, which had been ordered to be retaken five days after the original contest. In an unprecedented decision,[54] UEFA had ordered the match to be restarted from the 96th minute.

Previously, on 4 April, Williamson's successful penalty for England was disallowed for player encroachment (by substitute Rosella Ayane, who had won the penalty and scored a goal in her brief cameo from the bench). The laws of the game state that in such a situation, the penalty should be retaken, but the German referee, Marija Kurtes instead awarded Norway a free kick. After protests from the England camp, the European governing body agreed that the match should be replayed from the time of the incident.[55]

The players returned to finish the last two minutes of their match after each had played what was scheduled to be their last qualifying matches for the tournament. With the scores standing at 2–1 to Norway, Williamson equalised and, in doing so, booked her team's place in the tournament finals.

Senior

[edit]
Williamson with England in 2018

In November 2017, Williamson was called up to train with the senior England squad.[56] She then travelled with the team to the 2018 SheBelieves Cup in the United States in March 2018, without being available for the squad, as part of the development pathway.[57] On 8 June 2018, she made her debut for the senior team coming on for Walsh with six minutes left in their 2019 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Russia, which England won 3–1.[58] She had her first senior start in September that year, in a 6–0 victory over Kazakhstan.[59]

She was part of the England squad that won the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, playing in the final game, a 3–0 win over Japan,[60] and was part of the squad that defeated Denmark 2–0 in one of their final friendly preparation matches for the World Cup.[61] She was then selected for the 2019 FIFA World Cup, with Ian Wright announcing her selection in May 2019.[10] On being selected, Williamson said that she had aimed to go to a World Cup after seeing the previous edition in Canada, considering herself lucky to be called up.[62] She made her World Cup debut from the bench in the Round of 16 match against Cameroon on 23 June 2019.[63] Then-manager Phil Neville felt he did not use Williamson as much as he could have during the qualifiers and World Cup, putting in more experienced defenders and considering Keira Walsh crucial to the defensive midfield instead.[64]

Williamson scored her first England goal, an 86th-minute winner, in a 3–2 friendly win against the Czech Republic on 12 November 2019.[65]

On 17 September 2021, Williamson was named England captain for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. On 5 April 2022, she was appointed permanent England captain;[66] previous captain Steph Houghton had suggested Williamson was one of the players who could eventually take over as captain even before the 2019 World Cup.[67] Williamson captained the England squad which won the UEFA Women's Euro 2022;[68] she made the most ball recoveries in the competition[69] and was named to the Team of the Tournament.[70]

She was the 205th player to represent the England women's team, with this announced as her legacy number on 18 November 2022, the 50th anniversary of the team.[71][72]

As European champions, England qualified to contest the first Women's Finalissima; on 6 April 2023, Williamson captained the Lionesses to another international title by defeating Brazil on penalties after 90 minutes.[73]

On 19 April 2023, Williamson sustained an injury in Arsenal's 1-0 Women's Super League loss to Manchester United. The injury was later revealed to have been an anterior cruciate ligament, meaning she would miss the rest of the season and the 2023 World Cup in Australia & New Zealand.[74] During her period of recovery, Williamson learned how to play the piano and performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the BBC Sport digital show Out Of Office, which follows players pursuing interests off the pitch.[75]

Great Britain

[edit]

Williamson played for the Great Britain Olympic football team at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021). She was proud of her defensive work in the team's group games, and of being an Olympian, saying she had to close her eyes when the camera passed her during the anthem as she was tearing up.[76] Williamson has said that a shift in her mentality came when GB was knocked out of the Olympics, not wanting to feel the same disappointment, "she recognised what she needed to do to fulfil her potential" in terms of the demands of international competition.[77]

Style of play

[edit]

Williamson has been likened to Italian defender Paolo Maldini by numerous news outlets due to her ability to regain possession for her team without having to tackle her opponent.[6][78] In Euro 2022, she completed the championships having recovered the ball 56 times and having completed 472 passes, in both cases doing so more than any other player in the tournament.[79] Another article describes Williamson as the "epitome of a modern-day ball-playing centre back", citing her ability to anticipate opponent's passes and also to predict her teammates' attacking runs so that she can play a precise forward pass among her strengths.[80] She also has by far the highest rate of passes into the final third for a defender in the WSL since 2021, with a November 2022 Arsenal technical report saying that "she wrecks the curve" for this statistic due to the margin.[81]

[edit]

In Williamson's hometown, Newport Pagnell, a mural of her was completed in August 2022. The artwork was painted on a former garage by professional street artists.[82] As part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque honouring Williamson was installed at Scot Sports & Social Club in Milton Keynes.[83] She was one of the legends of football featured in Nike's "The Football Verse" ad spot for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup.[84] She guest wrote about the England men's football team at this tournament for The Athletic.[85]

In 2022, she was one of the honourees of the British GQ Men of the Year Award.[86] She appeared as a special guest on The Graham Norton Show on New Year's Eve 2022, his 30th series.[87] In 2023 she appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Story reading Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller.[88]

Activism and charity work

[edit]

Williamson frequently uses her platform for social justice, although she has said: "I’m uncomfortable with the way the word activism is used, because I think it’s just how normal people should behave.”[89]

Williamson wore a Stonewall rainbow armband throughout the 2022 Euro in support of LGBTQ+ rights.[90]

Because of controversies relating to the 2022 Men's World Cup, Williamson said that while she would still "support the boys [she has not] got any interest in it as a fan really this year, which is sad."[91]

The day after England triumphed at the 2022 Euros, the team wrote an open letter to Tory leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss requesting government support for girls to receive two hours a week of PE lessons and to support resources for girls’ football sessions in school.[92][93] Williamson credited teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy with driving the success of the request.[94]

In August 2023, Williamson travelled to Jordan and visited the largest Syrian refugee camp in the world in support of the Coaching for Life programme. Afterwards, she spoke about how the programme is empowering girls and transforming male attitudes to gender stereotypes.[95][96]

Williamson was the first England women's footballer to address the United Nations when she appeared at the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) Summit in September 2023.[97]

As well as her involvement with Coaching for Life, Williamson is an ambassador for the Willow Foundation.[98]

Writing

[edit]

Williamson has co-authored two books to date:

Non-fiction

[edit]

You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can (2023)[99] - A positive guide for empowering young girls, written with sports journalist Suzanne Wrack.

Fiction

[edit]

The Wonder Team and the Forgotten Footballers (2023)[100] - A time-travel adventure for children aged 8–12, written with Williamson's cousin Jordan Glover; illustrations by Robin Boyden. This is the first of a three book deal Williamson signed with Macmillan Children's Books.[101]

Williamson was a special guest editor of The Beano, in an edition celebrating 70 years since Minnie the Minx's first appearance.[102]

Personal life

[edit]

Williamson was training to be an accountant but has reportedly put her studies on hold to focus on football.[103][104]

She is close friends with former Arsenal teammate Alex Scott,[86] and international teammate Keira Walsh. Williamson and Walsh went through all the England junior ranks together and received their first senior call up on the same day in 2017; in 2019, Williamson commented that whenever England teams were announced "the first thing you do, you check for your name on the list and then you check for Keira's." Walsh also reflected that there was "nobody [she] would rather have shared this journey with".[105]

Williamson has endometriosis, which made her anxious to play while menstruating, and has spoken about it to increase awareness of the disruptive condition and the need for more symptom-relieving measures.[106] She is part of the LGBTQ+ community.[107][108]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 8 November 2024.[109]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2014 WSL 13 1 4 0 7 1 1 0 25 2
2015 7 0 2 0 4 1 — 13 1
2016 8 0 4 0 0 0 — 12 0
2017 7 0 2 0 — — 9 0
2017–18 17 1 4 0 7 0 — 28 1
2018–19 19 1 2 0 6 1 — 27 2
2019–20 15 1 4 0 6 1 4 0 29 2
2020–21 20 1 4 1 3 0 — 27 2
2021–22 18 2 2 0 1 0 7 1 28 3
2022–23 12 1 2 0 3 0 7 0 24 1
2023–24 9 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 13 0
2024–25 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 9 0
Career total 149 8 31 1 40 4 24 1 244 14

International

[edit]
Statistics accurate as of match played 29 October 2024.
Year England Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2018 4 0 —
2019 10 1 —
2020 3 0 —
2021 7 1 3 0
2022 15 0 —
2023 4 2 —
2024 7 1 —
Total 50 5 3 0
As of match played 29 October 2024
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Williamson goal.
List of international goals scored by Leah Williamson
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 12 November 2019 Stadion Střelecký ostrov, České Budějovice, Czech Republic  Czech Republic 3–2 3–2 Friendly [65]
2 26 October 2021 Daugava Stadium, Liepāja, Latvia  Latvia 8–0 10–0 2023 FIFA World Cup qualification [110]
3 22 February 2023 Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, England  Belgium 2–0 6–1 2023 Arnold Clark Cup [111]
4 6–1
5 29 October 2024 Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, England  South Africa 1–0 2–1 Friendly [112]

Honours

[edit]

Arsenal

England

See also: Collective honours for the England women's national football team

Individual

Orders

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Leah Williamson-UEFA.com". Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ List of Players – England" (PDF). FIFA. 27 May 2019. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Leah Williamson- Rising Star". fawsl.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Leah Williamson reflects on 200 appearances". Arsenal. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  5. ^ Burhan, Asif. "Leah Williamson Confirmed As New Permanent Captain Of England Women's Soccer Team". Forbes. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  6. ^ a b Reynolds, Tom (30 December 2022). "Leah Williamson: From gamble as captain to face of women's football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Euro 2022: Leah Williamson's mum talks matchday nerves". BBC News. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad". BBC Sport. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Leah Williamson handling expectation as Arsenal bid to end four-year title wait". London Evening Standard. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  10. ^ a b Wrack, Suzanne (10 May 2019). "Arsenal's Leah Williamson: 'I'll put myself on the line for this club'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  11. ^ a b "From Arsenal mascot to England captain - Williamson's rise to top of women's game". talkSPORT. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  12. ^ Campbell, Hayley (9 November 2022). "Leah Williamson has goals". GQ. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  13. ^ Kelly Smith [@Kelly_Smith10] (31 July 2022). "Good luck to @LeahCWilliamson and the @Lionesses tonight. Boy how you have grown and done so well..." (Tweet). Retrieved 27 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ BBC Radio 4 (1 August 2022). "Woman's Hour: Women's Euro 2022". BBC Sounds. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ McKenzie, Courtney (5 June 2021). "Leah Williamson admits she considered other Olympic sports". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  16. ^ Stillman, Tim (28 January 2018). "Arseblog News Exclusive! Interview with Arsenal Women's Leah Williamson | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Leah Williamson". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  18. ^ Moore, Isaac (30 March 2014). "WCL: Arsenal Ladies 0–2 Birmingham". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  19. ^ "Notts County vs. Arsenal – 16 April 2014". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  20. ^ "Kelly Smith stars as Arsenal retain The FA Women's Cup". The Football Association. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  21. ^ "Continental Cup: Millwall 0–4 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  22. ^ "Arsenal vs. Chelsea – 4 September 2014". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Arsenal Ladies vs Manchester City Ladies FA WSL Cup 2014". Football-Lineups. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Wayne Rooney scoops England Player of the Year award". The Football Association. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  25. ^ "Leah Williamson Signed First Contract". arsenalladies.com. Arsenal Ladies. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  26. ^ "PFA Women's Young Player of the Year: Leah Williamson — News — The PFA". thepfa.com. Professional Footballers' Association. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  27. ^ "Arsenal Ladies v Watford". Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Leah Williamson delighted as Arsenal book semi-final spot". www.fawsl.com. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Arsenal Ladies 1–0 Chelsea Ladies". BBC Sport. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  30. ^ Stillman, Tim (28 January 2018). "Arseblog News Exclusive! Interview with Arsenal Women's Leah Williamson | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  31. ^ Stillman, Tim (6 May 2018). "Arseblog Exclusive! Louise Quinn and Leah Williamson React to Cup Final Defeat at Wembley | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  32. ^ "Williamson: Arsenal can rediscover fear factor after Chelsea thrashing". Evening Standard. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  33. ^ Stillman, Tim (2 November 2018). "Arsenal v Birmingham City Women Match Preview | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  34. ^ Stillman, Tim (13 January 2019). "Arseblog Exclusive! Leah Williamson Reacts to Chelsea Defeat | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  35. ^ Stillman, Tim (24 February 2019). "Joe Montemurro Reacts to Conti Cup Final Defeat | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  36. ^ Hattenstone, Simon (13 April 2019). "Phil Neville: 'The tweets were wrong then and wrong now'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  37. ^ Stillman, Tim (29 April 2019). "'Since I Was 9, All I Ever Wanted Was To Win The League With Arsenal.' Arseblog Excusive with Leah Williamson | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  38. ^ Stillman, Tim (20 April 2019). "Arsenal Women Are No One Woman Show | Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site". Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  39. ^ "2018/19: The stats behind our title-winning season". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  40. ^ Lerner, Aaron (8 September 2020). "Arsenal have 4 players named to PFA Team of the Year". The Short Fuse. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Leah Williamson signs new contract".
  42. ^ Whitehead, Jacob. "Arsenal and England's Leah Williamson suffers 'significant' hamstring injury". The Athletic. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  43. ^ Garry, Tom (17 November 2021). "Lotte Wubben-Moy dedicates goal in Champions League win over HB Koge to Leah Williamson". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  44. ^ "Arsenal's season is crumbling & Leah Williamson's injury return is critical". 90min.com. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Leah Williamson signs new contract". www.arsenal.com. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  46. ^ "England skipper Williamson to miss World Cup with knee ligament injury". Reuters. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  47. ^ "Williamson back from injury in Arsenal cup cruise". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  48. ^ "Training squad announced | Latest Women's U15s training camp announced". The Football Association. 24 March 2010.
  49. ^ "First camp of new season for U15s". The Football Association. 1 August 2010.
  50. ^ "Vergani: Italy success never in doubt". UEFA. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  51. ^ Lavery, Glenn (8 December 2013). "Penalty heartbreak for England Women's U17s". The Football Association.
  52. ^ "Team of the Tournament". UEFA. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014.
  53. ^ "Groups". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  54. ^ "England women: Leah Williamson penalty books Euro spot". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 April 2015.
  55. ^ "Watch Leah Williamson score penalty for England Women's Under-19s – ending spot kick drama". Daily Mirror. 9 April 2015.
  56. ^ "England Women: Karen Bardsley named in World Cup qualifiers squad". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  57. ^ O'Neill, Jen (20 February 2018). "England Squad for 2018 She Believes Cup". SheKicks. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  58. ^ Lavery, Glenn (8 June 2018). "Russia 1-3 England". The FA.
  59. ^ Lavery, Glenn (4 September 2018). "England Women cruise to 6-0 win in final World Cup qualifier". The FA.
  60. ^ "England Claims 2019 SheBelieves Cup Crown with 3–0 Win vs. Japan". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  61. ^ "Road to France: England 2–0 Denmark". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  62. ^ "Leah Williamson: 'The luckiest girl in the world'". The FA. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  63. ^ "Women's World Cup 2019: England beat Cameroon in fiery encounter to reach quarter-finals". 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  64. ^ Hudson, Molly. "Best friends Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson may be solution to England's defensive weakness". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  65. ^ a b Garry, Tom (12 November 2019). "Czech Republic 2–3 England: Leah Williamson's late goal gives Lionesses win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  66. ^ Hudson, Molly. "Keira Walsh: I knew Leah Williamson would become captain, she was always the serious one". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  67. ^ Laverty, Richard (22 June 2019). "Steph Houghton on Her Evolution as England Captain". Our Game Magazine. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  68. ^ Davies, Callum (15 June 2022). "England Women's final squad named for EURO 2022". England Football.com. The FA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  69. ^ "Most ball recoveries". UEFA. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  70. ^ "UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Team of the Tournament announced". UEFA. 2 August 2022.
  71. ^ Gerty, David (31 May 2023). "England squad named for World Cup". The FA. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  72. ^ "Legacy numbers introduced for England women's team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  73. ^ "England-Brazil | Women's Finalissima 2023 Final". UEFA.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  74. ^ "England captain Williamson set to miss World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  75. ^ "England footballer Leah Williamson plays piano with orchestra in new BBC series". Bracknellnews.co.uk. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  76. ^ "Team GB's Leah Williamson: 'I had to keep my eyes closed for the anthem'". the Guardian. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  77. ^ Harpur, Charlotte (21 October 2022). "England approach the World Cup draw as a team to avoid - we have not said that before". The Athletic.
  78. ^ Taylor, Louise (29 July 2022). "England captain Williamson making her mark without having to tackle". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  79. ^ Verri, Matt (1 August 2022). "Leah Williamson leads Euro 2022 defensive stats despite England captain making ZERO tackles". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  80. ^ Limb, Bethany (26 July 2022). "Leah Williamson: The Ultimate Ball-Playing Defender for Club and Country". Breaking the Lines. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  81. ^ Stillman, Tim (18 November 2022). "Laura Wienroither and Noelle Maritz: An Analysis of the battle for the right-back spot". Arseblog. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  82. ^ Murrer, Sally (4 August 2022). "Incredible mural tribute to Milton Keynes hero Leah Williamson painted in her home town". Milton Keynes Citizen. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  83. ^ "England's Euro 2022 winners honoured with gold plaques at local football clubs". 90min. 22 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  84. ^ Dabbs, Ryan (16 November 2022). "Watch: Nike FC pits legendary players from the past and present against each other in fascinating advert". fourfourtwo. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  85. ^ Onye, Nnamdi. "Meet The Athletic's guest writers for the World Cup". The Athletic. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  86. ^ a b Ford, Lucy (17 November 2022). ""You inspired us to believe": Leah Williamson honoured by Will Poulter and Alex Scott". GQ. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  87. ^ The Graham Norton Show - Series 30: New Year's Eve Show, retrieved 31 December 2022
  88. ^ Footballer Leah Williamson to read CBeebies Bedtime Story, retrieved 24 March 2023
  89. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (19 September 2023). "'It breaks my heart': Leah Williamson to speak at UN about Syrian refugees". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  90. ^ "England Lionesses' captain made history at Euro 2022 while wearing a Stonewall rainbow armband". Pink News. August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  91. ^ "World Cup 2022: England captain Leah Williamson says she has no interest in watching the tournament in Qatar". Eurosport UK. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  92. ^ "Lionesses: England's Euro 2022 winners urge Tory leadership duo to help schoolgirls play football". BBC Sport. 3 August 2022.
  93. ^ Elgot, Jessica (3 August 2022). "Lionesses urge next PM to ensure all girls are able to play football in schools". The Guardian.
  94. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (8 March 2023). "Government pledges equal access to school PE sports for boys and girls". The Guardian.
  95. ^ "Williamson asks the UN: "Don't leave girls behind"". Arsenal Media. 19 September 2023.
  96. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (19 September 2023). "'It breaks my heart': Leah Williamson to speak at UN about Syrian refugees". The Guardian.
  97. ^ "Leah Williamson set to make history by addressing gender stereotypes at United Nations summit in New York". TNT Sports. 19 September 2023.
  98. ^ Campbell, Hayley (9 November 2022). "Leah Williamson has goals". GQ UK.
  99. ^ Williamson, Leah (1 January 2023). You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can. Macmillan Children's Books. ISBN 9781035023165.
  100. ^ Williamson, Leah (31 August 2023). The Wonder Team and the Forgotten Footballers. Macmillan Children's Books. ISBN 9781035023134.
  101. ^ "Macmillan Children's Books launches first fiction title with Leah Williamson OBE, Euros-winning England captain". panmacmillan.com. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  102. ^ Diamond, Drew (15 November 2023). "Leah Williamson guest edits Beano for 70th anniversary of Minnie the Minx". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  103. ^ "Leah Williamson: Lionesses' captain 'couldn't dream this big as a girl'". BBC News. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  104. ^ Keith, Felix (12 February 2020). "Leah Williamson interview: England and Arsenal defender on the fortunate timing of her career, studying accountancy and her Olympic dream". City A.M. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  105. ^ McElwee, Molly (20 June 2019). "'To have someone you compete against one moment and laugh with the next is rare' – The eight strongest female friendships in sport". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  106. ^ Taylor, Louise (28 December 2022). "Leah Williamson reveals endometriosis led to fears of missing games at Euros". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  107. ^ Stroude, Will (30 December 2022). "England Lionesses Leah Williamson and Beth Mead among LGBTQ+ heroes on New Year Honours List 2023". PinkNews.
  108. ^ Morris, Seren (16 February 2023). "British LGBT Awards 2023: nominees and how to vote". Evening Standard. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  109. ^ "L. Williamson". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  110. ^ "Latvia 0–10 England: Lionesses maintain 100% record in Women's World Cup qualifying". BBC Sport. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  111. ^ "England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with win over Belgium". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  112. ^ "England 2-1 South Africa: Leah Williamson and Grace Clinton score as Lionesses hold on". BBC Sport. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  113. ^ "Two-Goal Nobbs Helps Arsenal win the Continental Tyres Cup". The FA.com.
  114. ^ Garry, Tom (14 March 2018). "Arsenal Women 1–0 Manchester City Women". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  115. ^ Sanders, Emma (5 March 2023). "Arsenal 3–1 Chelsea: Gunners fight back to win Women's League Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  116. ^ Smith, Emma (31 March 2024). "Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (AET): Stina Blackstenius secures League Cup glory in extra time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  117. ^ Sanders, Emma (31 July 2022). "England beat Germany to win first major women's trophy". BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  118. ^ Sanders, Emma (6 April 2023). "England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  119. ^ "England record statement win over Japan to clinch prestigious SheBelieves Cup". The Football Association. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  120. ^ "England 3 - 1 Germany". BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  121. ^ "Arnold Clark Cup: England hit six v Belgium to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  122. ^ "Lifetime Award for Clarke". The Football Association. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  123. ^ Buntin, Josh (9 September 2020). "Arsenal Women's trio named in PFA team of the year". Islington Gazette. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  124. ^ "2021–22 PFA WSL Team Of The Year". The Professional Footballers' Association. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  125. ^ "UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Team of the Tournament announced". UEFA.com. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  126. ^ "Football: Beth Mead named England Player of the Year!". CBBC Newsround. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  127. ^ "IFFHS WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM 2022". IFFHS. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  128. ^ "Renard, Bronze and Morgan secure FIFPRO Women's 11 places". FIFA. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  129. ^ "England captain Leah Williamson awarded Freedom of the City of Milton Keynes". MKFM. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  130. ^ "Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win". ITV News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  131. ^ "New Year Honours 2023: Brian May and Lionesses on list". BBC News. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  132. ^ "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N16.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leah Williamson.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leah_Williamson&oldid=1256452254"