Karen Bardsley
Fast approaching her seven year anniversary with Manchester City, experienced goalkeeper Karen Bardsley started her professional career at Ajax America Women in 2007 before moving to Pali Blues a year later.
Twelve months later, the 6ft tall shot-stopper signed for Sky Blue FC, while August 2011 brought another change as she agreed terms with Swedish club Linköpings FC where she stayed for one season before joining Lincoln Ladies.
During her time at City, she has been an integral figure for the team as they have secured six trophies – three Continental Tyres Cups, two Women’s FA Cups and one Women’s Super League title.
Also England Women’s longest serving current player, Bardsley made her Lionesses debut in 2005, and went on to pick up five caps for Great Britain at the London Olympics in 2012.
Having patiently served as understudy to Rachel Brown meanwhile, she broke into the England set-up, playing all four group matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 and 2015, and featured at the European Championships in both 2013 and 2017 and the World Cup in 2019.
Although still very much focused on her football, she has also gone on to complete her master’s degree in Sports Directorship in preparation for the next stage of her career.
And in the summer of 2020, she joined the Manchester FA Board, becoming the first professional footballer to sit on any County FA’s Board of Directors in the process.
