Gemma Bonner

Gemma Bonner
Bonner with Manchester City in 2019
Personal information
Full name Gemma Bonner[1]
Date of birth (1991-07-13) 13 July 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Leeds, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Liverpool
Number 23
Youth career
Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2011 Leeds United 59 (1)
2011–2012 Chelsea 28 (2)
2012–2018 Liverpool 79 (8)
2018–2021 Manchester City 39 (5)
2021–2022 Racing Louisville 33 (1)
2023– Liverpool 32 (2)
International career‡
2008 England U17 5 (0)
2009–2010 England U19 13 (1)
2010–2013 England U23 10 (2)
2013–2019 England 12 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:18, 24 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:31, 20 December 2023 (UTC)

Gemma Bonner (born 13 July 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Women's Super League club Liverpool, and has represented the England national team. Bonner began her career with her hometown club Leeds United, before spending two seasons with Chelsea. In November 2012, Bonner signed for Liverpool and captained them to two FA WSL titles in 2013 and 2014, before leaving for Manchester City in 2018. She left England to join NWSL club Racing Louisville in 2021, before rejoining Liverpool in the 2022–23 season where she is now the club's record appearance holder.

An England international, Bonner made her senior debut in September 2013. She was part of England's squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 but did not play in the final tournament.

Club career

Early career

Bonner started playing football as soon as she could run and by the age of eight had already joined Leeds United.

Leeds United

While at Leeds, the defender won the League Cup in 2010,[2] and was in the runner-up team of the FA Cup in 2008.

Chelsea

Her versatility with both feet and strong aerial ability were the main attributes that brought Chelsea calling in January 2011[citation needed], when the Blues secured her signature ahead of the Women's Super League[citation needed].

She played in the first ever FA Cup Final of Chelsea, in 2012. The young defender scored her only goal of the 2011–12 FA Women's Cup in their 2–0 away win against The Belles in the 6th round, helping her side to secure their place in the semi-finals.[3] In the penalty shoot-out of the 2012 FA Women's Cup Final, she was unable to convert her penalty into a goal. She blazed hers over the bar to hand the Cup to Birmingham.[4]

Bonner scored her first league goal for Chelsea in the very next game after the 2012 FA Women's Cup Final, against their cup final opponents Birmingham.[5]

Liverpool

In November 2012 Bonner signed for Liverpool. In doing so she linked up with her ex-Chelsea manager Matt Beard and expressed her excitement at the move: "I am delighted to be joining Liverpool at a key time in my football career and have been greatly influenced by the commitment that Liverpool FC are showing towards women's football. When the opportunity to work with Matt again came I was pleased to take it and I am excited for the challenge ahead."[6]

With Bonner as captain Liverpool won the league title in 2013 and 2014 but were much less successful in 2015, finishing second bottom. She extended her contract with the club in November 2015.[7]

Manchester City

Bonner left Liverpool in June 2018 after six years and a total of 115 appearances, to join Manchester City Women.[8] She scored 11 goals in 69 matches with City,[9] though her last season there was cut short by ankle and muscle injuries.[10]

Racing Louisville

In April 2021, Racing Louisville FC announced signing Bonner to a two-year contract with an option for a third year.[10] She arrived in June and started 13 matches for the expansion club[11] through the 2021 season. Bonner was named one of four captains at Racing for 2022.[12] She has started all four of Racing's 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup matches, scoring in her team's 3–0 win at Kansas City.[13]

Liverpool

On 23 December 2022 Bonner signed with Liverpool again.[14]

On 9 November 2023, Bonner became the record appearance holder at the club with her notching her 135th appearance against Manchester City in the League Cup.[15] On 26 November, she was awarded a special framed shirt by Ian Callaghan, the record holder for the Liverpool men's team.[16][17]

On 28 April 2024, in honour of her being a former two-time League Title winning captain and record appearance holder, Bonner was honoured by the men's Academy at Kirkby by having a dressing room named after her. The idea came from Academy Director, Alex Inglethorpe and was installed by Head of Facilities, Andy Rice. Bonner becomes the first female player to receive such an honour, joining the likes of Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler.[18]

International career

An England representative at Under 17s,[19] Under 19s,[20] Under 20s[21] and Under 23s[22] level by the age of 19, Bonner has accumulated a wealth of international experience. She was in the England Under 17s World Cup team, in which they ended in the fourth place. In 2009 Bonner was part of the England Under 19s European Championship winning side. Bonner received her first senior team call-up for the UEFA Euro 2013 qualifier away to Croatia in March 2012.[23]

Bonner made her first senior appearance in September 2013, under interim coach Brent Hills, in an 8–0 World Cup qualifying win over Turkey at Fratton Park.[24] She was recalled to the team by incoming coach Phil Neville in January 2018, but an ankle ligament injury ruled her out of the 2018 SheBelieves Cup in March.[25]

In February 2019 Bonner was added to the England squad for the SheBelieves Cup following an injury to Millie Bright.[26]

Bonner was allotted 182 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[27][28]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 May 2024[29][30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental[c] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2007–08 Women's Premier League 19 0 ? ? 1 0 — 20 0
2008–09 Women's Premier League 11 0 ? ? 2 0 — 13 0
2009–10 Women's Premier League 19 0 ? ? 4 0 — 23 0
2010–11 Women's Premier League 10 1 ? ? 1 1 — 11 2
Total 59 1 ? ? 8 1 — 67 2
Chelsea 2011 Women's Super League 14 0 ? ? 0 0 — 14 0
2012 Women's Super League 14 2 ? ? 3 0 — 17 2
Total 28 2 ? ? 3 0 — 31 2
Liverpool 2013 Women's Super League 13 3 ? ? 4 0 — 17 3
2014 Women's Super League 14 1 ? ? 5 1 2 0 21 2
2015 Women's Super League 14 0 ? ? 6 0 1 0 21 0
2016 Women's Super League 16 0 ? ? 2 0 — 18 0
2017 Women's Super League 8 3 3 0 — — 11 3
2017–18 Women's Super League 14 1 0 0 5 0 — 19 1
Total 79 8 3 0 22 1 3 0 107 9
Manchester City 2018–19 Women's Super League 17 1 4 1 8 1 2 1 31 4
2019–20 Women's Super League 16 3 1 0 6 3 3 0 26 6
2020–21 Women's Super League 6 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 10 1
Total 39 5 6 1 16 4 6 1 67 11
Racing Louisville 2021 NWSL 13 0 — 0 0 — 13 0
2022 NWSL 20 1 — 6 1 — 26 2
Total 33 1 — 6 1 — 39 2
Liverpool 2022–23 Women's Super League 12 0 1 1 1 0 — 14 1
2023–24 Women's Super League 20 2 1 1 3 1 — 24 4
Total 32 2 2 2 4 1 — 38 5
Career total 270 19 11 3 59 8 9 1 249 31
  1. ^ Includes Women's FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes FA Women's Premier League Cup, FA Women's League Cup, NWSL Challenge Cup
  3. ^ Includes UEFA Women's Champions League

International

As of match played 9 April 2019[29]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2013 2 0
2014 3 1
2015 3 0
2016 0 0
2017 2 0
2018 0 0
2019 2 0
Total 12 1
Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bonner goal.
List of international goals scored by Gemma Bonner
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 7 March 2014 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus  Finland 2–0 3–0 2014 Cyprus Cup

Honours

Bonner with Liverpool after winning the 2013 FA WSL, September 2013

Leeds United

Liverpool

Manchester City

England

England U19

Winners (1): 2009
Runners-up (1): 2010

Individual

References

  1. ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2014 and 31/01/2014". The Football Association. January 2014. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Leeds Carnegie lift first major trophy with defeat of Everton". The Guardian. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Doncaster Rovers 0 Chelsea 2". chelsea.fawsl.com. 25 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  4. ^ "FA Women's Cup: Birmingham beat Chelsea on penalties in final". BBC. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Birmingham 4 Chelsea 2". FAWSL.com. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Gemma Bonner: Liverpool sign defender from Chelsea". BBC. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Gemma Bonner: Liverpool Ladies captain signs new contract". BBC Sport. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  8. ^ "Gemma Bonner: Manchester City Women sign Liverpool Ladies captain". BBC Sport. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Bonner leaves City for Racing Louisville". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  10. ^ a b Gardner, Hayes. "Racing Louisville FC signs defender Gemma Bonner, who has played for England national team". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Gemma Bonner". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Introducing the Captains Group. 👊". Twitter. Racing Louisville FC. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Racing notches decisive first Challenge Cup win over KC Current". Racing Louisville FC. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Liverpool FC — Liverpool FC Women confirm return of Gemma Bonner". December 2022.
  15. ^ "Gemma Bonner breaks LFC Women appearance record - Liverpool FC". www.liverpoolfc.com. November 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  16. ^ Lindop, Beth (9 December 2023). "I asked Santa for a Liverpool kit - now I'm the Reds' record appearance holder". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  17. ^ Lindop, Beth (26 November 2023). "Liverpool defender secures status as club legend in emphatic victory". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  18. ^ Kelly, Andy (28 April 2024). "Academy honours Gemma Bonner with dressing room naming tribute". Liverpool Football Club Official. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Record at FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup". FIFA. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  20. ^ "Sweden 0 – 2 England". UEFA. 25 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  21. ^ "England – Nigeria 1:1". FIFA. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  22. ^ "GIVE IT ALL YOU'VE GOT". The Football Association. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  23. ^ "WOMEN'S SQUAD NAMED FOR CROATIA QUALIFIER". The Football Association. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Gemma Bonner looks back on a memorable England debut in the 8-0 win over Turkey". The Football Association. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Gemma Bonner: England and Liverpool defender out for up to 12 weeks". BBC Sport. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  26. ^ "Millie Bright misses out on SheBelieves Cup squad through injury". BBC. 19 February 2019.
  27. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  28. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  29. ^ a b "England - G. Bonner - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Gemma Bonner". The FA. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  31. ^ Garry, Tom (1 November 2020). "Women's FA Cup final: Everton 1–3 Manchester City AET". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  32. ^ "Mohamed Salah takes top prizes at LFC Players' Awards". Liverpool FC. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
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