Jessica Sigsworth

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jess Sigsworth

| image = Man Utd Women 5 Lewes FC Women 0 11 05 2019-198 (47799213152).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Sigsworth playing for Manchester United, February 2019

| fullname = Jessica Lucy Sigsworth{{cite web|title=List of Players - England|url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FU20W/2014/pdf/FU20W_2014_SquadLists.pdf|publisher=FIFA|access-date=20 July 2015|date=4 August 2014|page=5}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|10|13|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Doncaster, England{{cite web|title=Doncaster Belles: Sigsworth gunning for Arsenal after signing full-time deal|url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/local-sport/doncaster-belles-sigsworth-gunning-for-arsenal-after-signing-full-time-deal-1-7914187|publisher=South Yorkshire Times|access-date=5 June 2016|date=20 May 2016|quote=The Doncaster-born forward has signed a new deal with the Belles after completing her studies at Sheffield Hallam University.}}

| height = {{convert|1.72|m|order=flip}}

| position = Forward

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Branton Boys

| youthyears2 =

| youthclubs2 = Doncaster Rovers Belles

| youthyears3 = 2008–2011

| youthclubs3 = Sheffield United Academy

| years1 = 2011–2015

| clubs1 = Doncaster Rovers Belles

| caps1 = 44

| goals1 = 7

| years2 = 2015

| clubs2 = Notts County

| caps2 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2016–2018

| clubs3 = Doncaster Rovers Belles

| caps3 = 25

| goals3 = 17

| years4 = 2018–2021

| clubs4 = Manchester United

| caps4 = 47

| goals4 = 22

| years5 = 2021–2023

| clubs5 = Leicester City

| caps5 = 13

| goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2023–2024

| clubs6 = Sheffield United

| caps6 = 16

| goals6 = 1

| totalcaps = 145 | totalgoals = 49

| nationalyears1 = 2011

| nationalteam1 = England U17

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2011–2013

| nationalteam2 = England U19

| nationalcaps2 = 18

| nationalgoals2 = 3

| nationalyears3 = 2014

| nationalteam3 = England U20

| nationalcaps3 = 3

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 =

| nationalteam4 = England U23

| nationalcaps4 = 5

| nationalgoals4 =

| pcupdate = 31 July 2024 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 4 June 2016

}}

Jessica Lucy Sigsworth (born 13 October 1994) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker for Manchester United, Sheffield United, Notts County, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Leicester City, and has represented England at numerous youth levels.

Sigsworth won the Golden Boot award for most goals scored during the 2017–18 FA WSL 2 season and the 2018–19 FA Women's Championship.

Early life

Sigsworth, aged seven, started her youth career playing for Branton Boys.{{cite web |title=Manchester United forward Jess Sigsworth 'always on the up' |url=https://themindmap.co.uk/interviews/manchester-united-forward-jess-sigsworth-always-on-the-up/ |publisher=The Mind Map |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122041530/https://themindmap.co.uk/interviews/manchester-united-forward-jess-sigsworth-always-on-the-up/ |url-status=dead }} Her twin brother played for Branton and the coach asked her if she wanted to play. After playing for Doncaster Rovers Belles Juniors, she moved to Sheffield United Girls’ Centre of Excellence, where she broke into the England under-17 squad. After three seasons, she returned to Doncaster Belles.{{cite web |title=A parent's role – Dad aids daughters rise up football ladder – Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA |url=https://sheffieldfa.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/a-parents-role-dad-aids-daughters-rise-up-football-ladder/ |publisher=Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA |access-date=31 May 2019}}

As a youth, Sigsworth was a fan of Manchester United and dreamed of playing for the club.{{cite web |title=JESS SIGSWORTH SIGNS NEW CONTRACT |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/jess-sigsworth-signs-new-man-utd-womens-contract# |publisher=Manchester United |access-date=8 November 2020}}

Club career

=Doncaster Rovers Belles, 2011–15=

File:Jessica sigsworth.jpg in 2011.]]

Sigsworth began her senior career by signing with Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2011. She made her senior debut on 23 July 2011 in a 3–0 defeat against Birmingham City.{{cite web |title=FA WSL: Birmingham Ladies 3 Doncaster Rovers Belles 0 |url=http://sportsister.com/2011/07/24/fa-wsl-birmingham-ladies-3-doncaster-rovers-belles-0/ |website=sportsister.com |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=24 July 2011 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531213517/http://sportsister.com/2011/07/24/fa-wsl-birmingham-ladies-3-doncaster-rovers-belles-0/ |url-status=dead }} In four years, she scored seven goals in 41 appearances.

=Notts County, 2015=

In January 2015, Sigsworth moved to FA WSL outfit Notts County.{{cite web|title=Doncaster Belles: Jess Sigsworth signs for Notts County Ladies|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-belles-jess-sigsworth-signs-for-notts-county-ladies-1-7036037|publisher=Doncaster Free Press|access-date=5 June 2016|date=6 January 2015|archive-date=3 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803135236/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-belles-jess-sigsworth-signs-for-notts-county-ladies-1-7036037|url-status=dead}} Though she was named in a matchday squad twice, she never made an appearance.{{cite web |title=Jessica Sigsworth |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/jessica--sigsworth/185455/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=8 November 2020}}

=Return to Doncaster Rovers Belles, 2016–18=

In November 2015, Sigsworth re-signed with hometown team Doncaster Rovers Belles ahead of the 2016 season.{{cite web|title=Jess Sigsworth: Doncaster Rovers Belles re-sign Notts County striker|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34926102|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 June 2016|date=25 November 2015}} On 20 March 2016, she scored her first goal, in her first appearance since returning to the club in a 4–1 defeat against Chelsea in the FA Women's Cup.{{cite web |title=Women's FA Cup: Holders Chelsea beat Doncaster to reach quarter-final |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35857089 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=20 March 2016}} In May 2016, she signed a full-time contract. In August, she suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury, missing the rest of the season, as the team were relegated to FA WSL 2, as well as the subsequent Spring Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37692822 |title=Doncaster Rovers Belles: Step to Women's Super League 1 'bigger than expected' |date=24 October 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 May 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-belles-jess-sigsworth-determined-to-repay-belles-faith-1-8641558 |title=Doncaster Belles: Jess Sigsworth determined to repay Belles' faith |date=11 July 2017 |publisher=Doncaster Free Press |access-date=18 May 2019 }} In the 2017–18 season, Sigsworth won the FA WSL 2 Player of the Month award for March.{{cite web |title=White and Sigsworth named players of the month |url=http://www.fawsl.com/news/white_and_sigsworth_named_players_of_the_month.html |website=fawsl.com |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=16 April 2018}} Sigsworth guided Doncaster to the FA WSL 2 title and won the golden boot with 15 goals.{{cite web |url=http://www.fawsl.com/matchesReport/millwall_lionesses_v_doncaster_rovers_belles_13_may_2018_report.html#ir8HhqizSG4WW7Y9.97 |title=Brilliant Belles celebrate title win with three points |date=13 May 2018 |website=FAWSL.com |access-date=11 May 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/jun/01/fa-womens-football-awards-010618 |title=CELEBRATION TIME AT 20TH ANNUAL FA WOMEN'S FOOTBALL AWARDS |date=1 June 2018 |website=thefa.com | access-date=18 May 2019 }}

=Manchester United, 2018–21=

File:BHA Women 0 Man Utd Women 2 WFAC 4th rd 03 02 2019-1114 (33110730998).jpg against Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019.]]

In July 2018, Sigsworth was announced as part of the inaugural Manchester United squad that was set to compete in the newly restructured FA Women's Championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/13/manchester-united-women-squad-unveiled-england-liverpool-casey-stoney |title=Manchester United include England stars in unveiled women's squad |date=13 July 2018 |access-date=18 May 2019 }} She made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool on 19 August.{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-liverpool-women-0-man-utd-women-1 |title=MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1 |last=Drudge |first=Harriet |date=19 August 2018 |website=ManUtd.com |access-date=19 May 2019 }} On the opening day of the 2018–19 Championship season, Sigsworth scored five goals in a 12–0 win away to Aston Villa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-aston-villa-v-united-women-on-9-september-2018|title=MATCH REPORT: ASTON VILLA 0 UNITED WOMEN 12|website=www.manutd.com|language=en|access-date=2 December 2018}} On 9 March 2019, during a 2–0 FA WSL Cup win against West Ham, Sigsworth was involved in an incident with Brooke Hendrix; three days later, Hendrix was charged with violent conduct by the FA and banned for three games.{{cite web |title=Brooke Hendrix: West Ham Women defender banned after stamp |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46832043 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=12 January 2019}} Sigsworth finished the season with consecutive Championship titles and golden boot awards, having scored 17 league goals.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47998007 |title=Man Utd Women 7-0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2019 |access-date=11 May 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1476251-the-winners-from-the-21st-annual-fa-womens-football-awards |title=The winners from the 21st annual FA Women's Football Awards |last=Bonsu |first=Benny |date=18 May 2019 |website=givemesport.com |access-date=18 May 2019 |quote=}}

Sigsworth scored her first goal of the 2019–20 season in United's 2–0 League Cup win against Manchester City on 20 October 2019.{{cite web |title=Women's Continental League Cup: Manchester United 2–0 Manchester City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50088011 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 October 2019 |date=20 October 2019}} During a match against Reading on 27 October, her "cool, calm and collected" goal in the 85th minute secured the team's 2–0 win.{{cite web |title='Cool, calm, collected!' Sigsworth seals win for Man Utd over Reading |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/50201844 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 November 2020}} She finished the regular season with two goals in 14 matches. Manchester United finished in fourth place with a {{win-loss record|w=7|d=2|l=5}} record.{{cite web |title=Women's Super League: 2019-20 |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/wsl/20192020/regular-season/r54947/ |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=8 November 2020}}

Ahead of the 2020–21 season, Sigsworth signed a new one-year contract with an option for a further year.{{cite web |title=Sigsworth signs new Man Utd Women's contract |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/jess-sigsworth-signs-new-man-utd-womens-contract |website=www.manutd.com |date=24 June 2020}} Of the signing, she said, "I love this club; as a kid growing up supporting United it was always a dream to be a part of its history."{{cite web |title=Jess Sigsworth: Manchester United Women forward signs new one-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53165596 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 November 2020 |date=24 June 2020}} With a decrease in playing time for a second successive season, limited to 577 minutes in 14 league appearances, it was announced on 21 June 2021 that Sigsworth would leave United on the expiry of her contract at the end of the month. At the time, Sigsworth departed the club as the third highest goalscorer behind Ella Toone and Lauren James.{{cite web |title=Jess Sigsworth to depart United Women |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/Jess-Sigsworth-to-depart-Man-Utd-Women-at-end-of-June |website=www.manutd.com |date=21 June 2021}}

=Leicester City, 2021–23=

On 16 July 2021, Sigsworth signed for newly-promoted Leicester City ahead of their maiden FA WSL season.{{cite web |title=LCFC Women Sign Striker Jess Sigsworth |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/2190406/lcfc-women-sign-striker-jess-sigsworth |website=Leicester City}} In February 2022, Sigsworth ruptured her ACL ending her season early.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Megan |date=2022-02-26 |title=Chelsea goal fest sees FA Cup hopes dashed for Leicester |url=https://herfootballhub.com/chelsea-goal-fest-sees-fa-cup-hopes-dashed-for-leicester/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=Her Football Hub |language=en-GB}}

=Sheffield United, 2023-2024=

On 21 July 2023, Sigsworth signed for Sheffield United.{{cite web |last1=Frith |first1=Wilf |title=Sheffield United Women sign Jess Sigsworth |url=https://shekicks.net/sheffield-united-women-sign-jess-sigsworth/ |website=SHEKICKS |access-date=10 December 2023}}

On July 31, 2024, Sigsworth announced her retirement at the age of 29.{{citeweb|url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2024/august/01/jess-sigsworth-retires/|title=Jess Sigsworth retires|website=www.sufc.com}}

International career

Sigsworth has represented England at under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-23 levels.{{cite web |title=Jessica Sigsworth |url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/playerProfile/jessica_sigsworth.html |publisher=Doncaster Rovers Belles|access-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305002742/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/playerProfile/jessica_sigsworth.html |archive-date=5 March 2017}}

In April 2011, Sigsworth scored for the under-17s in a 1–0 win against Sweden in the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship second qualifying round.{{cite web |title=Women's Under-17 2011 - England-Sweden |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2003694--england-vs-sweden/ |website=UEFA |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=11 April 2011}} In August 2013, Sigsworth was part of the England under-19 team who finished as runners-up to France at the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Wales.{{cite web |title=Women's Under-19 - England-France |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder19/match/2012894--england-vs-france/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=1 June 2019 |date=31 August 2013}} In July 2014, Sigsworth was named as part of the England under-20 squad for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.{{cite web |last1=Lavery |first1=Glenn |title=Mo Marley names England squad for Women's U20 World Cup |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/jul/01/fifa-world-cup-squad-canada |website=thefa.com |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=1 July 2014}} Sigsworth started all three games as England failed to progress, having finished third in Group C.{{cite web |title=FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 – Group C |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/archive/canada2014/groups/index.html#267996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122164937/http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup/archive/canada2014/groups/index.html#267996 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2016 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=31 May 2019}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 3 march 2024}}.{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/jessica-sigsworth/185455/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=13 December 2018|title=Jessica Sigsworth player profile}}{{cite web|url=http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/61077 |title=Appearances, goals and cards for Sigsworth |publisher=Football-Lineups |access-date=18 May 2019 }}

rowspan="2" \|Club ! rowspan="2" \|Season ! colspan="3" \|League ! colspan="2" \|FA CupIncludes the Women's FA Cup ! colspan="2" \|League CupIncludes the WSL Cup/Women's League Cup ! colspan="2" \|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5" \|Doncaster Belles \|2011 \| rowspan="3" \|WSL 1 \|6	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0	7	0
2012 \|14	1	2	0	3	0	19	1
2013 \|10	1	colspan="2"\|—	3	1	13	2
2014 \|WSL 2 \|14	5	2	1	5	2	21	8
colspan="2" \|Total !44	7	4	1	12	3	60	11
rowspan="1" \|Notts County \|2015 \|WSL 1 \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
rowspan="4" \|Doncaster Belles \|2016 \|WSL 1 \|7	1	1	1	1	0	9	2
2017 \| rowspan="2" \|WSL 2 \|0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	0	0
2017–18 \|18	16	colspan="2" \|—	3	2	21	18
colspan="2" \|Total !25	17	1	1	4	2	30	20
rowspan="4" \|Manchester United \|2018–19 \|Championship \|19	17	3	0	6	1	28	18
2019–20 \| rowspan="2" \|WSL \|14	2	1	0	5	2	20	4
2020–21 \|14	3	2	1	2	0	18	4
colspan="2" \|Total !47	22	6	1	13	3	66	26
rowspan="3" \|Leicester City F.C. \|2021-22 \| rowspan="2" \|WSL \|13 \|2 \|1 \|0 \|3 \|0 \|17 \|2
2022-23 \|1 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|0 \|1 \|0
colspan="2" \|Total !14 !2 !1 !0 !3 !0 !18 !2
Sheffield United F.C. \|2023-24 \|Championship \|16 \|1 \|1 \|1 \|2 \|1 \|19 \|3
colspan="3" \|Career total !142	49	13	3	34	9	189	62

Honours

Doncaster Rovers Belles

FA WSL 2: 2017–18

Manchester United

FA Women's Championship: 2018–19

Individual

FA WSL 2 / FA Women's Championship Golden Boot: 2017–18, 2018–19

References

External links

[https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/jess-sigsworth Profile] at the Manchester United F.C. website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140107102253/http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/s/jess-sigsworth Profile] at the Football Association website
{{FIFA player|381317}}
{{UEFA player|250027307}}
{{Soccerway|jessica-sigsworth/185455}}
{{Twitter}}

Category:Living people

Category:1994 births

Category:English women's footballers

Category:Women's association football forwards

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:Women's Super League players

Category:Notts County L.F.C. players

Category:Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C. players

Category:Manchester United W.F.C. players

Category:Leicester City W.F.C. players

Category:Footballers from Doncaster

Category:England women's under-23 international footballers