Jody Handley
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jody Handley
| image = Jody handley.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Handley (right) playing for Everton in November 2006
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1979|03|12}}
| birth_place = Stafford, England
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| collegeyears1 = 1997
| college1 = Detroit Mercy Titans
| years1 =
| years2 = 1993–1995
| years3 = 1995–1996
| years5 = 1998–2000
| years6 = 2000–2001
| years7 = 2001–2004
| years8 = 2004–2014
| years9 = 2015
| clubs1 = Shrewsbury Ladies
| clubs2 = Wolves Women
| clubs3 = Liverpool Ladies
| clubs5 = Liverpool Ladies
| clubs6 = Everton Ladies
| clubs7 = Doncaster Rovers Belles
| clubs8 = Everton Ladies
| clubs9 = Doncaster Rovers Belles
| caps1 =
| caps2 =
| caps9 = 0
| goals1 =
| goals2 =
| goals9 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2002–2010
| nationalteam1 = England
| nationalcaps1 = 38
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| club-update =
| nationalteam-update = 22:18, 2 October 2010 (UTC)
}}
Jody Handley (born 12 March 1979) is an English former footballer from Stafford, who most recently played for FA WSL 2 club Doncaster Rovers Belles. A pacy and intelligent attacking player, she featured as both a wide midfielder and striker for England as well as clubs including Wolves Women, Liverpool Ladies and Everton Ladies. She has featured in four FA Women's Cup finals with three clubs, losing the first three but captaining Everton Ladies to their win in 2010.
On the international stage Handley won 38 England caps and scored six goals following her debut in July 2002. She took part in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and was a non-playing squad member at the 2005 and 2009 editions of the UEFA Women's Championship.
Club career
=Early career=
Handley began her career at Shrewsbury Ladies before moving on to Wolves Women in the middle of season 1993–94. Making nine appearances, she scored five goals to help Wolves take the Northern Premier title. In her first season in the National Premier Division she made 16 appearances and scored two goals including the opener in Wolves' first National Division win against Millwall Lionesses. The rest of Wolves' campaign did not go so well and they were eventually relegated after a further season.
=Merseyside and Detroit=
Handley remained in the top–flight, having signed for Liverpool Ladies in December 1995. She also made an appearance in the FA Women's Cup final in April 1996, which Liverpool lost on penalties to Croydon.{{cite news|author=Sarah Forde|title=Croydon spot chance for first cup victory|work=The Times|date=29 April 1996}}
In 1997 Handley played varsity soccer for the University of Detroit Mercy. She registered ten assists{{cite news|url=http://issuu.com/udmsportsinfo/docs/2009wscyearbook-complete|title=2009 UDM Women's Soccer Yearbook|publisher=University of Detroit Mercy|accessdate=3 October 2010}} and was named league Newcomer of the Year.{{cite news|url=http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/all-time-all-league-2004-11-08-27203.html|title=ALL-TIME LEAGUE TEAMS|publisher=Horizon League|accessdate=3 October 2010|date=2005-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725180342/http://www.horizonleague.org/blog/all-time-all-league-2004-11-08-27203.html|archive-date=25 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
After her scholarship in the US, Handley returned to Liverpool in March 1998. However, the Reds were kicked out of the 1997–98 FA Women's Cup when Handley played in a win over Millwall without international clearance.{{cite news|title=Red-faced Ladies are KO'd|publisher=Western Daily Press|date=26 March 1998}} In 2000, she left Liverpool for local rivals Everton{{cite news|url=http://www.womensoccer.com/refs/clubs/eclubs2001b.html|title=Review of matches in England AXA FA Women's Premier League, National Division played September 10, 2000|publisher=Women's Soccer World|author=Colin Aldis|accessdate=4 October 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111221/http://www.womensoccer.com/refs/clubs/eclubs2001b.html|archivedate=16 July 2011}} and was successfully converted from a midfielder to a striker.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/962795.stm|title=Arsenal lose 100 per cent record|publisher=BBC|author=Tony Leighton|accessdate=4 October 2010|date=8 October 2000}}
=Doncaster Belles=
She moved to Doncaster Belles for season 2001–02 and scored twice on her debut.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1499593.stm|title=Spacey reaches for stars|publisher=BBC|author=Tony Leighton|accessdate=11 October 2010|date=19 August 2001}} She went on to play in her second FA Women's Cup final, this time against Fulham. Despite getting on the score sheet Handley had to make do with another runners–up medal; as professional outfit Fulham secured a 2–1 win.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fulham-too-professional-for-battling-belles-650449.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220609/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fulham-too-professional-for-battling-belles-650449.html |archive-date=9 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Fulham too professional for battling Belles|work=The Independent|author=Tony Leighton|accessdate=3 October 2010|date=7 May 2005}}
=Everton=
File:Jody handley wfa cup 2010.JPG]]
Handley returned to Everton Ladies in the 2004–05 season and went on to score in the FA Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, however she was to be disappointed once again after a 1–0 loss to Charlton Athletic in the 2005 final.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAWomensPLCup/NewsandFeatures/2005/Handleys_oldpals_wish|title=Handley's old pals wish|publisher=TheFA.com|author=Tony Leighton|accessdate=3 October 2010|date=9 December 2005}} In the 2007–08 season Handley was named Everton captain through the absence of Leanne Duffy. Handley then led Everton to their first silverware in over a decade with a 1–0 win against Arsenal in the Premier League Cup final,{{cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2009/WomPoty_2008_Handley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515002437/http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2009/WomPoty_2008_Handley|archive-date=15 May 2012|title=Contenders: Handley|publisher=TheFA.com|date=28 December 2008|accessdate=3 October 2010|url-status=dead}} where she was named Player of the Match.
Season 2008–09 seemed to be full of promise for Handley, but it got off to a bad start when she suffered a broken ankle during the Umbro pre-season tournament. She recovered ahead of schedule and came on as a substitute in the 4–0 FA Cup win against Manchester City before travelling to Cyprus with England for a squad get together. Everton finished second in the league and qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
In 2009–10 Handley captained Everton to their FA Women's Cup final win over Arsenal, setting up Natasha Dowie for the opening goal.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7115210.ece|title=Natasha Dowie goals lift family mood as Everton win Women's Cup|work=The Times|date=4 May 2010|author=Peter Lansley|accessdate=3 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530185018/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article7115210.ece|archive-date=30 May 2010}}
The 2014 season saw Everton defeat local rivals Liverpool en route to the FA Women's Cup final, but Handley did not play as Arsenal won the final 2–0 at Stadium mk.{{cite news|last1=Lavery|first1=Glenn|title=Kelly Smith stars as Arsenal retain The FA Women's Cup|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/competitions/fa-womens-cup/2014/jun/final-arsenal-everton-mk-dons-match-report|accessdate=28 January 2015|publisher=The Football Association|date=1 June 2014}} Worse was to follow in September 2014 as Everton were relegated out of the top division for the first time in 21 years.{{cite news|last1=Leighton|first1=Tony|title=Women's Super League: Tears flow as Everton are relegated|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29404876|accessdate=28 January 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2014}}
=Back to the Belles=
On 28 January 2015, Handley announced that she had transferred from Everton back to Doncaster Belles.{{cite news|title=Handley Back With Belles|url=http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/11199|accessdate=28 January 2015|publisher=She Kicks|date=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090658/http://www.shekicks.net/news/view/11199|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}} Unable to shake off injuries picked up in pre-season, Handley retired from playing in May 2015: "I felt it was my body's way of telling me enough was enough". She was studying physiotherapy through the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and hoped to stay in football in that capacity.{{cite news|title=STATEMENT: Jody Handley Retires From Football|url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/statement_jody_handley_retires_from_football.html#UZumZ8FMDYws3GpI.97|accessdate=9 May 2015|publisher=Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.|date=6 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518081019/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/statement_jody_handley_retires_from_football.html#UZumZ8FMDYws3GpI.97|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}
International career
Handley first represented England as a 16-year-old and played in the U-18 national team. She also represented English Universities while a student.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/NewsAndFeatures/2008/BUSA_bugtraining|title=Gearing up for the BUGs|publisher=TheFA.com|date=13 March 2008|accessdate=3 October 2010}}
Good performances at club level led to further international recognition for Handley. She made her full debut against Nigeria in July 2002 and was named Player of the Match by Sky Sports.{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/macacresswell4eva/englandwomen.htm |title=England women Fixtures and Results, 2004/05 |publisher=Cresswell Wanderers FC |accessdate=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024012842/http://www.freewebs.com/macacresswell4eva/englandwomen.htm |archivedate=24 October 2012 }} In October 2003 she got her first goal for the senior England team in a 2–2 draw against Russia in Moscow. She was on the score sheet in a 5–0 whitewash of Mexico in the 2005 Algarve Cup and was also involved in the World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring a goal in the record 13–0 win against Hungary en route to China 2007. She played in the finals, coming on for the last ten minutes of England's third game against Argentina, a 6–1 win which guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/results/match=56308/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004223535/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensworldcup/china2007/results/match=56308/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2008|title=England 6–1 Argentina|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=4 October 2010}}
In May 2009, Handley was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/8050189.stm|title=England Women awarded contracts|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2009|accessdate=29 July 2009}}
She was allotted 144 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.{{Cite web |last=Lacey-Hatton |first=Jack |date=2022-11-18 |title=Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lionesses-introduce-legacy-numbers-players-28529161 |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=mirror |language=en}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.englandfootball.com/england/womens-senior-team/Legacy?tab=Players |title=ENGLAND PLAYER LEGACY AND RESULTS ARCHIVE |date=18 November 2022 |access-date=27 April 2023 |publisher=The Football Association}}
=International goals=
:Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable"
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition !! Scored | ||||||
| 1 | 21 October 2003 | Kryoia Soveto, Moscow | {{fbw|RUS}} | 2–2 | Friendly | 1 |
| 2 | 17 February 2005 | National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes | {{fbw|ITA}} | 4–1 | Friendly | 1 |
| 3 | 13 March 2005 | Estádio Fernando Cabrita, Lagos | {{fbw|MEX}} | 5–0 | Algarve Cup | 1 |
| 4 | 27 October 2005 | Tapolca | {{fbw|HUN}} | 13–0 | 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 |
| 5 | 20 April 2006 | Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham | {{fbw|AUT}} | 4–0 | 2007 FIFA World Cup Qual. | 1 |
| 6 | 22 July 2009 | County Ground, Swindon | {{fbw|DEN}} | 1–0 | Friendly | 1 |
Personal life
Handley attended Sir Graham Balfour School{{cite news|url=http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/Sport/World-Cup-call-up-for-Stafford-girl.htm|author=James Benstead|title=World Cup call-up for Stafford girl|publisher=Staffordshire Newsletter|date=16 August 2007|accessdate=4 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727022423/http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/Sport/World-Cup-call-up-for-Stafford-girl.htm|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}} then studied health, diet and fitness at Liverpool University.{{cite news|url=http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/Sport/Jodys-on-target-for-England.htm|title=Jody's on target for England|publisher=Staffordshire Newsletter|date=30 October 2003|accessdate=4 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727022357/http://www.staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk/Sport/Jodys-on-target-for-England.htm|archive-date=27 July 2011|url-status=dead}} She was later employed as a health development worker in Knowsley.
In 2018 she graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Physiotherapy, the first female Professional Footballers Association member to graduate through the programme linked between the university and the PFA.{{cite web |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2018/7/19/pfa-members-graduate-from-university-of-salford|title=PFA members graduate from the University of Salford |publisher=The Professional Footballer's Association|accessdate=24 July 2018}}
Honours
=Club=
==Everton==
- FA Women's Cup (1): 2009–10
- FA Women's Premier League Cup (1): 2007–08
==Wolves==
- FA Women's Premier League Northern Division (1): 1993–94
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/H/Jody-Handley Jody Handley] at the FA website
- [http://everton.fawsl.com/playerProfile/jody_handley.html Jody Handley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815221857/http://everton.fawsl.com/playerProfile/jody_handley.html |date=15 August 2011 }} at the FA WASL website
- [http://www.evertonfc.com/player-profile/jody-handley Jody Handley] at the Everton website
{{England Squad 2005 Women's European Championship}}
{{England Squad 2007 Women's World Cup}}
{{England Squad 2009 UEFA Women's European Championship}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Handley, Jody}}
Category:English women's footballers
Category:Liverpool F.C. Women players
Category:Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C. players
Category:Everton F.C. (women) players
Category:England women's international footballers
Category:FA Women's National League players
Category:University of Detroit Mercy alumni
Category:Alumni of Liverpool John Moores University
Category:Women's Super League players
Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States
Category:Footballers from Stafford
Category:2007 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:Alumni of the University of Salford
Category:Women's association football wingers
Category:Women's association football forwards
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers W.F.C. players
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:English expatriate women's footballers