Nicola Davies (footballer)

Nicola "Nikki"[2] Davies (born 28 December 1985) is a Welsh international football goalkeeper who currently plays for Sheffield United Women. In 2013, she joined FA WSL club Doncaster Rovers Belles, after a long association with Liverpool Ladies and a short spell at Chelsea Ladies. Davies has represented Wales at senior level.

Nicola Davies
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-12-28) 28 December 1985
Place of birth Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Sheffield United W.F.C.
Number 25
Youth career
Menai Bridge Tigers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2003 Bangor City Girls
2003–2012 Liverpool Ladies
2008 → Fredericksburg Lady Gunners (loan)
2011–2012 Rochdale
2013 Chelsea 1 (0)
2013 Doncaster Rovers Belles 10 (0)
2014 Reading Women
2017–2018 Doncaster Rovers Belles 5 (0)
2018– Sheffield United 3 (0)
National team‡
2002– Wales[1] 64 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:40, 14 November 2018 (UTC)

Club career

Davies began playing for Menai Bridge Tigers' under-11 boys team.[3] She joined Bangor City in 2000 and was the recognised first choice goalkeeper until she moved to Liverpool in September 2003.[4] While with Liverpool, Davies won the Northern Premier Division in 2003–04 and 2006–07.[3]

In 2009–10 Davies spent a period away from Liverpool while completing Royal Air Force training. She played for Rochdale in the 2011–12 FA Women's Premier League Northern Division to gain match fitness.[5]

After playing for Liverpool in 2012, Davies was named FA WSL goalkeeper of the year. She also won 2012 RAF Sportswoman of the Year.[6] She started the opening two games of the following season for Chelsea in outstanding form, but was then posted to Oman with the RAF, curtailing her campaign.

On the final day of the 2013 women's football transfer window, Davies signed for Doncaster Rovers Belles.[7]

In 2014, Davies joined up with Welsh legend Jayne Ludlow at Reading F.C. Women competing in the newly formed FA WSL 2. She took another break from football in February 2015, to focus on her RAF career, then rejoined Doncaster Rovers Belles ahead of the 2017 FA WSL Spring Series.[8]

International career

Davies represented Wales at U-14 and U-16 level.[3] She also won eight caps at the U-19 level.[1] Her debut for the senior side came against Canada in Lagoa, Portugal, in March 2002.[1][9]

In August 2010, Davies played for Wales in 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification games against Azerbaijan and Sweden. Her club was listed as RAF.[10] Prior to this, her last game for Wales had been in March 2009 against Poland.[11]

In November 2010, Davies was called up for a friendly against Bulgaria as a Liverpool player again.[12]

References
  1. "International teams – Nicola Davies". Football Association of Wales. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  2. "Nikki Davies". Sheffield United W.F.C. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  3. "Nicola Davies – Liverpool Ladies". Menai Bridge Tigers FC. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  4. "Keeper Davies to join Liverpool Ladies". Bangor City Girls FC. September 2003. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  5. Jones, Dave (16 June 2012). "Wales goalkeeper Nicola Davies looking forward to Racecourse clash against Israel". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  6. "RAF Ladies Footballer Wins Two Major Awards". Royal Air Force. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  7. "Davies to Doncaster". She Kicks. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  8. Jones, Dave (27 April 2017). "Wales keeper Nicky Davies in Ynys Mon squad for 2017 Island Games". Daily Post (North Wales). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  9. "3.3.2002 – CAN 4:0 WAL". CanadaSoccer.com. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  10. "Match Report – Sweden 5 – 1 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  11. "Match Report – Wales 1 – 2 Poland". Football Association of Wales. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  12. "Welsh Squad Named for Bulgaria Friendly". Liverpool Ladies FC. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
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