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Millie Bright
Bright with England in 2022.
Personal information
Full name Millie Bright[1]
Date of birth (1993-08-21) 21 August 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Chesterfield, England[2]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 4
Youth career
Killamarsh Dynamos
Sheffield United[3]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2014 Doncaster Belles 32 (3)
2011–2012 → Leeds Ladies (loan)
2014- Chelsea 242 (14)
International career‡
2011–2012 England U19 5 (0)
2013–2016 England U23 13 (0)
2016– England 75 (5)
2021– Great Britain 3 (0)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  England
UEFA Women's Championship
Winner 2022 England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Runner-up 2023 Australia and New Zealand
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 01:25, 27 September 2023 (UTC)

Millie Bright (born 21 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chelsea[4][5] who she captains, and the England national team, whom she is interim captain for. She previously played for Doncaster Belles and Leeds Ladies, and represented England on the under-19 and under-23 national teams.

Bright was named Vauxhall England Young Player of the Year in 2016. With Chelsea, she won three league titles in 2015, 2017–18, and 2019–20, as well as the 2015 and 2017–18 FA Women's Cup. In 2020, she helped the club win the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield.

Bright was named to the PFA Team of the Year for the 2017–18 and 2019–20 seasons. In 2020, she was named to the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11.

Early life

Born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, Bright spent her youngest years immersed in equestrianism.[6] She developed pneumonia as a baby and spent some of her early childhood in the hospital with bouts of asthma.[6] As a youth, Bright attended Sheffield Road School and Killamarsh Junior School,[7] followed by Eckington School.[8] Bright began playing football at age nine.[9] After watching a friend play for Killamarsh Dynamos, a local team in Derbyshire, she decided to join;[10] as part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, a plaque honouring Bright was installed at the club in 2022.[11] She was later scouted by Sheffield United and joined their academy team until age 16 before moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2009.[6][12]

Club career

2009–2015: Doncaster Rovers Belles

Described by the club as "a tall, powerful, athletic striker with an good eye for goal," Bright made her Belles debut as a substitute against Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium in August 2009.[13] She scored her first goal on the occasion of her first start, in the following month's 5–0 FA Women's Premier League Cup win at Leeds City Vixens.[13] She was awarded a contract for the inaugural 2011 season of the FA WSL, making five substitute appearances.[14] At her own request, Bright then went on loan to Leeds United in their 2011–12 FA Women's Premier League season and debuted on her 18th birthday, scoring a goal after entering play as a substitute.[15]

When Bright returned to Doncaster she had developed into a regular first team starter.[16] Bright was critical of The Football Association's decision to demote Doncaster Rovers Belles from the WSL in favour of Manchester City one game into the 2013 season: "It was heartbreaking. It felt like we weren't respected or even wanted in the league, purely based on money. It should be about the level you play at, not how much money you have. That season, we just felt what's the point?"[17]

2015–present: Chelsea

In December 2014, Bright signed with Chelsea ahead of the 2015 season.[18] Chelsea assistant manager Paul Green said of the signing, "Millie is a great character and a young player who is hungry to develop and improve her game. She has a lot of experience for a 21-year-old and has already played a lot of games in the FA WSL and knows what the league is all about. She will add strength and physicality to the squad and I’m sure that she will prove to be a good addition to this talented group of players as we look to build on last season’s achievements." Chelsea finished in first place during the regular season with a 10–2–2 record and qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Women's Champions League for the second time in the team's history.[19] Bright made fourteen appearances for Chelsea during the 2015 season tallying a total of 906 minutes.[14][20] She was named Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year by her teammates.[21]

Bright (centre) during a match against Lewes FC during the 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup, November 2019

During the 2016 season, Bright was a starting defender in all 15 games that she played and scored a goal in the team's 5–0 win over Sunderland.[22] Chelsea finished in second place with a 12–3–1 record.[23]

Bright was Chelsea's starting left-side defender for the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series and helped lead the defensive line to concede only five goals in all competitions. She scored two goals during attacking set-pieces against Bristol and Arsenal.[22][21] Chelsea won the Spring Series with a 8–6–1 record.[24][25]

In August 2018, Bright signed a new three-year contract with Chelsea. Of the signing, she said, "I just want to be a successful player and to help my team-mates and this football club win more trophies. We've already won a few in my time here and hopefully we can continue that and keep winning things, and I hope the Champions League is one of those trophies. We made a big statement in the competition last season and we're ready to keep developing and take the next step."[26]

During the 2019–20 FA WSL season, Bright was named the league's Player of the Month for December after she scored and provided an assist against Birmingham and led the Chelsea defense in a shut-out against Manchester United.[27] Chelsea won the regular season with a 12–3–0 record as well as the 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup after defeating Arsenal 2–1 in the Final.[28]

When the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield was played for the first time since 2008, Bright scored Chelsea's game-winning goal from long range during the team's 2–0 over Manchester City.[29]

International career

Bright has represented England on the senior national team as well as numerous youth national teams, including the under-19 and under-23 national team squads.[19] In June 2016, she scored a penalty kick goal against the United States during the final game of the Nordic Cup.[30]

Bright earned her first cap for the senior England national team in September 2016, as a last-minute substitute in a 2–0 win over Belgium.[31] In February 2019, Bright pulled out of the England squad for the SheBelieves Cup due to injury, and was replaced by Gemma Bonner.[32]

Bright huddles with England national team squad during the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France

In May 2019, Bright was selected to represent England at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.[33] She played in two of the three group matches as well as in the Round of 16, Quarter Final and Semi Final. She was sent off in the 2–1 semifinal loss to the United States after receiving a second yellow card.[34] She captained England for the first time in a friendly game against Canada on 13 April 2021.[35] She was again called on to captain the squad by head coach Sarina Wiegman in the two November World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Latvia.[36]

In June 2022, Bright was included in the England squad which won UEFA Women's Euro 2022.[37][38]

Bright was allotted 197 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[39][40]

On 31 May 2023, Bright was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in July 2023. [41] Due to Leah Williamson being injured, Bright was named interim captain for the tournament. On 16 August 2023, Bright assisted one of the three goals that got England into its first World Cup final.[42]

Career statistics

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 26 September 2023.
Year England Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2016 1 0 —
2017 ? 0 —
2018 8 0 —
2019 9 0 —
2020 3 0 —
2021 8 3 3 0
2022 19 2 —
2023 11 0 —
Total 75 5 3 0

International goals

As of match played 11 July 2022. England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bright goal.
International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.Reference
1 21 September 2021 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg  Luxembourg 7–0 10–0 2023 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 8–0
3 26 October 2021 Daugava Stadium, Liepāja, Latvia  Latvia 4–0 10–0 [43]
4 17 February 2022 Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England  Canada 1–0 1–1 2022 Arnold Clark Cup [44]
5 23 February 2022 Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, England  Germany 2–1 3–1

Honours

Chelsea

England

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

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ 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 8 July 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad". BBC Sport. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  3. ^ "How I Started". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Chelsea Ladies: Millie Bright joins Blues from Doncaster Belles". BBC. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Chelsea Ladies: European debut puts champions' party on hold". BBC. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "From Doncaster Belles to the World Cup for England's Millie Bright". Yorkshire Post. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Millie Bright returns to Killamarsh roots ahead of Lionesses' Rotherham date". Rotherham United. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. ^ "England Lionesses star Millie Bright on the pitfalls of social media as international looms at Rotherham United". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Bright: Renard and Bronze are inspirations to me". FIFA. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. ^ "How I Started". England Football Association. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  11. ^ "England's Euro 2022 winners honoured with gold plaques at local football clubs". 90min. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Chelsea Ladies Sign Millie Bright from Doncaster Belles". England Football Association. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Strikers / Millie Bright". Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Millie Bright". Soccer Way. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Millie's Bright future with England". Sheffield United F.C. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  16. ^ Bunting, Josh (25 June 2020). "Millie Bright – 'I am super proud and excited for what's to come of this team'". She Kicks. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Millie Bright column: 'New money is welcome but needs to be shared around'". BBC Sport. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Chelsea Ladies: Millie Bright joins Blues from Doncaster Belles". BBC Sport. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Chelsea Ladies sign England U23 star Millie Bright". getwestlondon. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  20. ^ "Millie Bright confident of instant Chelsea response". FAWSL. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Millie Bright". Chelsea FC. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  22. ^ a b c d "Millie Bright". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  23. ^ "2016 FA WSL". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  24. ^ "WSL 1 Spring Series: Chelsea Ladies win title on final day". BBC. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  25. ^ "FA WSL Throwback: Chelsea blossom in 2017 Spring Series". England FA. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  26. ^ "BRIGHT FUTURE ASSURED WITH NEW DEAL SIGNED". Chelsea FC. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  27. ^ "MILLIE BRIGHT NAMED WSL PLAYER OF THE MONTH". Chelsea FC. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  28. ^ "Chelsea defeat Arsenal with stoppage-time winner to secure Continental Cup for the first time". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  29. ^ "MILLIE BRIGHT FIRES CHELSEA TO WOMEN'S COMMUNITY SHIELD GLORY". Eurosport. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  30. ^ "U-23 WNT Wins Nordic Tournament in England after 1–1 Draw with Hosts". U.S. Soccer Federation. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  31. ^ Lavery, Glenn (20 September 2016). "Lionesses douse Belgium's Red Flames to finish top". The Football Association. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  32. ^ "Millie Bright misses out on SheBelieves Cup squad through injury". 19 February 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  33. ^ Association, The Football. "England squad named for 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup". www.thefa.com. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  34. ^ Garry, Tom (2 July 2019). "England 1–2 USA: Lionesses beaten in Women's World Cup semi-final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  35. ^ "England v Canada". BBC Sport. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  36. ^ "Millie Bright: Chelsea defender to captain England for November Women's World Cup qualifiers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  37. ^ Davies, Callum (15 June 2022). "England Women's final squad named for EURO 2022". England Football.com. The FA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  38. ^ England Squad. UEFA. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  39. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  40. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  41. ^ "England squad named for 2023 Women's World Cup". www.englandfootball.com. 31 May 2023.
  42. ^ "England reach first Women's World Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  43. ^ "Latvia 0–10 England: Lionesses maintain 100% record in Women's World Cup qualifying". BBC Sport. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  44. ^ "England 1–1 Canada: Lionesses held to draw in opening game of Arnold Clark Cup". BBC Sport. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  45. ^ UEFA.com. "Chelsea-Barcelona | UEFA Women's Champions League". UEFA.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  46. ^ Emma Sanders (20 August 2023). "Women's World Cup final: England lose to Spain in Sydney". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  47. ^ Sanders, Emma (31 July 2022). "England beat Germany to win first major women's trophy". BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  48. ^ a b "England 3 – 1 Germany". BBC Sport. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Arnold Clark Cup: England hit six v Belgium to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  50. ^ FA, The. "JORDAN NOBBS AMONG THE WINNERS AT ANNUAL FA WOMEN'S FOOTBALL AWARDS". The Football Association. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  51. ^ "Manchester City players dominate PFA team of the year". BBC. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  52. ^ "Jordan Henderson among five Liverpool players in PFA team of the year". Irish Examiner. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  53. ^ "2021–22 PFA WSL Team Of The Year". The Professional Footballers' Association. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  54. ^ "The FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11 of 2019–2020 – FIFPRO World Players' Union". FIFPRO. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  55. ^ "2020–2021 Women's FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Revealded". FIFPRO. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win". ITV News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.

Further reading

  • Aluko, Eniola (2019), They Don't Teach This, Random House, ISBN 9781473564480
  • Caudwell, Jayne (2013), Women's Football in the UK: Continuing with Gender Analyses, Taylor & Francis, ISBN 9781317966234
  • Dunn, Carrie (2019), Pride of the Lionesses: The Changing Face of Women's Football in England, Pitch Publishing (Brighton) Limited, ISBN 9781785315411
  • Dunn, Carrie (2016), The Roar of the Lionesses: Women's Football in England, Pitch Publishing Limited, ISBN 9781785311512
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
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