Katie Chapman

Katie Sarah Chapman (born 15 June 1982) is an English former professional footballer who notably played for FA WSL clubs Arsenal Ladies and Chelsea Ladies and was a member of the England women's national team.

She primarily played as a central midfielder, although she was also deployed in central defence while playing for England.

Chapman was described as "a physical player who handles a brunt of the dirty work in the middle of the pitch."

Her playing ability, profile and influence have drawn comparisons to former England captain David Beckham.

Chapman began her football career playing at primary school in her hometown of Bermondsey.

At ten years old, she joined leading women's club Millwall Lionesses.

In the 1996–97 season, Chapman made her senior team debut at the age of 14.

Chapman joined Millwall Lionesses as a ten-year-old, and made her first team debut at 14 in 1996–97.

That season she helped the Lionesses win an FA Women's Cup and Premier League Cup double.

Lou Waller, who scored Millwall's winning goal in the FA Women's Cup final victory over Wembley, had been Chapman's coach in the club's youth teams.

She became a regular starter in the team and also participated in the 1997 FA Women's Premier League Cup and FA Women's Cup final wins.

In the 1998–99 campaign, Chapman won FA Young Player of the Year award.

In 1998–99 Chapman was named Young Player of the Year in the first ever FA Women's Football Awards.

Already a full England international, she left Millwall in 2000 to sign a professional contract with Fulham.

She made her senior international debut aged 17 years in May 2000 in a 2001 UEFA Women's Championship qualification match against Switzerland.

The following month, she made her first start against Norway.

In June 2000 Chapman signed a contract with newly professional Fulham to become one of the first full-time professional female players in England.

It was reported that Chapman was one of the most highly paid players in the team, on an annual salary of about £20,000.

In her first season with The Cottagers Chapman won the South West Combination Women's Football League, the third level of women's football, and was again named FA Young Player of the Year.

She also played in Fulham's 1–0 FA Women's Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

She played on the teams that won back-to-back promotions, as well as the 2001–02 Premier League Cup and 2002 FA Women's Cup.

In June 2001 Chapman was again named FA Young Player of the Year.

In her first spell with the national team, Chapman represented England at four major international tournaments; UEFA Euro 2001, UEFA Euro 2005, 2007 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2009.

In 2001–02 Chapman helped Fulham win the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division and promotion to the top flight.

She also scored two goals in the 7–1 Premier League Cup final win over Birmingham City, after which Fulham's manager Gaute Haugenes claimed Chapman was good enough to play in any national side in the world.

Chapman then scored the winning goal in the 2–1 FA Women's Cup final victory over Doncaster Belles, a volley from 20 yards.

In Conclusion to the 2001–02 season, Chapman went on to be awarded the Ladies Player of the Season, as well as, winning the Nationwide International Player of the Year award.

Chapman sat out most of the following season due to pregnancy, as Fulham won a treble of FA Women's Premier League National Division, FA Women's Cup and Premier League Cup.

She made the announcement during half-time of a match against Tranmere Rovers, and was promptly substituted by Haugenes – who quipped that he was not permitted to have 12 players on the pitch at once.

She had missed significant sections of the 2002–03 and 2007–08 seasons through pregnancy, and spent a single season with American Women's Professional Soccer team Chicago Red Stars in 2010, before returning to Arsenal Ladies.

In March 2002 she netted her first senior international goal in a 4–1 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification against the Netherlands.

A two-time winner of the FA International Player of the Year in 2002 and 2010, Chapman took a break from the national team in March 2011 with a total of 82 caps and eight goals.

When Chapman returned to action, in the FA Women's Community Shield in August 2003, Fulham were no longer a professional outfit.

She represented Fulham in that season's Uefa Women's Cup campaign.

After two years with Charlton Athletic from 2004, Chapman joined Arsenal Ladies and reached prominence with the team in her first season, winning a domestic treble as well as the UEFA Women's Cup.

In March 2004 Chapman played in Fulham's Premier League Cup final defeat to Charlton Athletic.

July 2004 saw Chapman depart Fulham to sign for Charlton, making her debut in a 1–0 Community Shield win over Arsenal at Broadhall Way.

After another pregnancy truncated her 2013 season, Chapman moved across London to sign for Chelsea Ladies in January 2014.

Chapman is a former England U–18 captain.

She was recalled to the England squad in February 2014 by new manager Mark Sampson and helped them finish third at the 2015 FIFA World Cup.