Angela Banks

Angela Banks (born 23 December 1975) is an English former female footballer. She represented England at full international level and played at the top club level for Arsenal Ladies.

Angela Banks
Personal information
Date of birth (1975-12-23) 23 December 1975
Place of birth Brighton, England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Whitehawk Ladies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Surahammar
Jitex BK
1998–1999 Whitehawk Ladies
1999–2003 Arsenal
2004–2005 Arsenal
2005–2006 Whitehawk Ladies
National team
1999–2002 England 18 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:58, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

Club career

Banks joined Whitehawk Ladies aged 11,[1] but moved to Sweden aged 16. She spent four years playing for Surahammar, then signed for Jitex BK.[2] Despite becoming engaged to a Swedish man, Banks left Sweden to be nearer to her parents, who are deaf.[2]

In 1998 Banks returned to Whitehawk and finished top goalscorer in the 1998–99 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.[3] She then signed for Arsenal in summer 1999, being employed by the club as a football development officer.

Banks scored 42 goals in 2000–01 as Arsenal won the treble,[4] including the winner in the FA Women's Cup final against professional Fulham.[5] This total also included scoring five goals against Liverpool in December 2000.[6]

In March 2002 Fulham entered a seven-day notice of their intent to sign Banks, much to the fury of Arsenal manager Vic Akers.[7] However Banks pledged her future to Arsenal when they announced a switch to semi-professionalism in May 2002.[8] Banks retired at the end of 2002–03, but returned to Arsenal for 2004–05,[9] helping the club remain undefeated and win another league title.[10]

In 2005 Banks returned to Whitehawk, and joined the coaching staff at the club a year later – alongside Debbie Bampton.[11]

International career

While playing in Sweden, Banks was encouraged by her club coach to take dual-nationality and play for the Sweden women's national football team. She rejected the opportunity.[2]

In May 1999 Banks made her international debut for England against Italy. Two years later she scored her second international goal, a game-winning twenty yard chip against Scotland.[12] Banks' first goal came in only her second start, a 2–1 friendly win over Finland in September 2000.[13]

Banks also scored against Russia in a 1–1 draw at UEFA Women's Euro 2001.[14] In March 2002 Banks captained England for the first time, scoring in a 3–1 loss to Norway at the Algarve Cup.[15]

Due in part to a fear of flying, Banks quit international football in July 2002.[16]

References
  1. Emma Dennis-Edwards, Carmen Kalnars and Danyel Edwards (2002). "Bending it like Beckham – for no pay". Headliners. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  2. Pete Lansley (26 June 2001). "Banks sensitive to wider picture". The Independent. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  3. "F.A. WOMEN'S FOOTBALL AWARDS SPONSORED BY AXA 1998/1999". PR Newswire. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  4. Pete Lansley (25 June 2001). "Women's football is an expanding game with the same old enemy". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  5. Sue Thearle (6 June 2001). "Banks wins top goalscorer award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  6. Tony Leighton (3 December 2000). "Banks hits five in Arsenal win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  7. Tony Leighton (31 March 2002). "Arsenal anger at Fulham bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  8. Tony Leighton (15 May 2002). "Banks stays with semi-pro Gunners". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  9. Tony Leighton (22 August 2004). "Banks rescues Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  10. Tony Leighton (8 May 2005). "Champions Arsenal end on a high". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  11. "Women wanted at Whitehawk". TheFA.com. 20 June 2006. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  12. Tony Leighton (27 May 2001). "Banks sees off Scots". BBC. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  13. Tony Leighton (28 September 2000). "Banks on target for England". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  14. "Honours even between England and Russia". UEFA.com. 24 June 2001. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  15. Tony Leighton (2 March 2002). "Wales stun Portugal". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  16. Tony Leighton (4 July 2002). "England's Banks calls time". BBC. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
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