Vicky Exley

Exley joined Sheffield Wednesday Ladies at the age of 15, moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles three years later.{{cite news|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/belles/FEATURE--Belles-hit-their.4996872.jp|title=Belles hit their stride again at 40|publisher=Doncaster Free Press|author=Hayley Paterson|date=19 February 2009|access-date=13 October 2009|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121205105/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/feature-belles-hit-their-stride-again-at-40-1-522365|url-status=dead}} She began her Belles career as a striker before switching back to a midfield playmaker role. Nicknamed Tricky, Exley is renowned for her powerful shot.{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/macacresswell4eva/englandwomen.htm |title=England women Fixtures and Results, 2004/05 |publisher=Cresswell Wanderers FC |access-date=11 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024012842/http://www.freewebs.com/macacresswell4eva/englandwomen.htm |archive-date=24 October 2012 |df=dmy }}

Despite scoring with a header, Exley was on the losing side in the 2000 FA Women's Cup final, as Croydon won 2–1.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/02/newsstory.sport4?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Hunt keeps Croydon on double track|work=The Guardian|author=Sarah Hughes|access-date=2 January 2011|date=2 May 2000}} Two years later Exley featured in another Cup final defeat, this time to professional Fulham.{{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/20220817/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fulham-too-professional-for-battling-belles-650449.html |archive-date=17 August 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Fulham too professional for battling Belles|work=The Independent|author=Tony Leighton|access-date=3 October 2010|date=7 May 2005}}

In 2004 Doncaster Belles suffered an exodus of players after a financial crisis, however, Exley and Claire Utley chose to remain loyal to the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/free-press-sport/BELLES-DEFY-THE-ODDS-.844896.jp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420045433/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/free-press-sport/BELLES-DEFY-THE-ODDS-.844896.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013|title=BELLES DEFY THE ODDS|publisher=Doncaster Free Press|access-date=3 November 2010|date=26 August 2004}} In September 2004, Exley scored after four seconds of a League Cup tie against Aston Villa from inside her own half.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/3650292.stm|title=Donny scrape through|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 January 2011|date=12 September 2004|author=Tony Leighton}} During that 2004–05 season, Doncaster struggled and only retained their National Premier League status thanks to Exley scoring on the final day of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/apr/25/womensfootball.sport?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Arsenal clinch title as Belles survive|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 January 2011|date=25 April 2005}} Exley was top scorer for Doncaster Belles in the following two seasons,{{cite web|url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/newsitem.php3?ID=1559|title=2006/07 Season Stats|work=Doncaster Belles Online|access-date=17 September 2007}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} winning the manager's Player of the Year award in 2006.

In July 2008, Exley scored the only goal of the game as Doncaster beat Watford Ladies in the FA Futsal Women's Cup, the competition being the first time that Doncaster had played Futsal.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAFutsalCup/NewsAndFeatures/2008/belles_lift_cup.aspx|title=Belles lift cup|publisher=The Football Association|date=8 July 2008|access-date=13 October 2009}}

Exley scored 25 goals in all competitions during 2009–10 and was named in the Belles' 2011 FA WSL squad.{{cite news|url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/playerProfile/vicky_exley.html|title=Vicky Exley|publisher=Doncaster Rovers Belles|access-date=26 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226221213/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/playerProfile/vicky_exley.html|archive-date=26 February 2011|url-status=dead}} She netted Doncaster's first goal in the new league, the winner at Lincoln Ladies' Sincil Bank on the opening night.{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/exley_enjoying_life_in_new_league_1_3385889|title=Exley enjoying life in new league|publisher=Sheffield Star|access-date=17 May 2011|date=17 May 2001|author=Steve Hossack}}

Prior to the 2012 season Exley was released by Doncaster. In explaining his decision, manager John Buckley paid his own tribute, telling the Doncaster Free Press:{{cite news|url=http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/gone_but_not_forgotten.html|title=Gone But Not Forgotten|publisher=Doncaster Belles|access-date=24 February 2012|date=23 February 2012|author=Paul Goodwin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215920/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/gone_but_not_forgotten.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}

{{Cquote|Vicky has been a great servant to the club. When she was younger there were times when she virtually carried the team on her shoulders. I just felt that she has reached a stage where her legs can't do what her brain wants her to do. It's probably one of the hardest decisions I'll ever have to make—and she'll probably hate me for it.}}

In May 2012 it was reported that Exley had decided to retire from football altogether.{{cite news|url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/junior-football/doncaster-rovers-belles-race-to-get-mary-earps-fit-for-brum-trip-1-4501872|title=DONCASTER ROVERS: Belles race to get Mary Earps fit for Brum trip|publisher=South Yorkshire Times|access-date=1 May 2012|date=1 May 2012|first=Steve|last=Hossack}} In June 2012 Exley served as a torch bearer in the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay, as recognition for her services to playing and coaching football.{{cite news|title=June 26, Day 39 Sheffield to Cleethorpes|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchrelay/day39|access-date=18 September 2015|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=26 June 2012}}

Following her March 1996 debut, a 2–1 defeat in Italy, Exley played a total of 52 times for England.{{cite news|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/womens-seniors/News/2007/A_great_role_model|title=A great role model|publisher=TheFA.com|access-date=2 January 2011|date=7 November 2007}} In September 2004 Exley captained England for the first time, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2–1 friendly win over the Netherlands.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/20/womensfootball.sport?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Holland 1–2 England|work=The Guardian|author=Tony Leighton|access-date=2 January 2011|date=20 September 2004}} She appeared in the 2007 World Cup, scoring a penalty in the final group-stage game against Argentina.{{cite web|url=http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2736176,00.html|title=SIX OF THE BEST FOR ENGLAND|work=football365.com|access-date=17 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527184101/http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2736176,00.html|archive-date=27 May 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Exley then announced her retirement from international football in November 2007, stating her desire to go into coaching.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/7083772.stm|title=Exley retires from England duty|work=BBC Sport|date=7 November 2007}}

She was given number 113 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.{{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=20 April 2025 |publisher=The Football Association}}{{cite web |title=England honour former Lionesses in 50th anniversary celebrations at Wembley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63118539 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=20 April 2025}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first.

Exley supports Sheffield Wednesday and works as a postwoman.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110226221213/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/playerProfile/vicky_exley.html Vicky Exley] at Doncaster Rovers Belles

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{{Succession box|title=Doncaster Rovers Belles captain|before=Becky Easton |after=Katie Holtham|years=2004–2010}}

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{{England squad 2001 UEFA Women's European Championship}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:English women's footballers

Category:England women's international footballers

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

Category:FA Women's National League players

Category:Footballers from Rotherham

Category:Women's association football midfielders

Category:2007 FIFA Women's World Cup players

Category:21st-century English sportswomen