Jade Bailey (footballer)

Bailey is the daughter of soccer coach Trevor Bailey, the founder of Interwood Junior Football Club. Bailey started playing football at age 6 for a Sunday league team, becoming the top goalscorer for Chapel End. She eventually became captain and the only female player of Waltham Forest Schools U11. But the team did not allow mixed-gender teams from age 11, so Bailey got a trial with Arsenal, was signed to Arsenal's U12s girls team, started training with Arsenal, and was spotted by England scouts. Bailey says she admired footballers Ashley Cole and John Terry, then later Arsenal and England captain Faye White. ==Club career==

She was given a scholarship and a two-year professional contract by Arsenal Ladies football team. Bailey came off the bench during Arsenal's win in the 2013 FA Cup. Bailey started the 2014 FA Cup final and was part of the Arsenal side which won 2–0. In April 2015, Manchester City's England midfielder Jill Scott was shown the red card and banned for three matches for headbutting Bailey during a match. Bailey transferred to Chelsea in 2016 and made 16 appearances in her first season, as a deep-lying midfielder and sometimes in central defence. She suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April 2017, ruling her out of participation in the following season. In January 2019, Chelsea gave Bailey a one-year contract extension and sent her on loan to Reading to prove her fitness. In July 2019 Bailey was transferred to Liverpool, who assigned her the number 8 shirt. She was released at the end of the 2021-22 season. On 4 February 2024, Bailey was announced at London City Lionesses. On 21 September 2024, Bailey was announced at Sheffield United. On 16 January 2026, Bailey joined Damallsvenskan side Piteå for the 2026 season. ==International career==

Bailey made her debut for England's under-17s on 3 October 2010 against Turkey as a defender and Serbia earlier that year. She was chosen by kit manufacturer Umbro in 2010 as one of the next generation of England's footballing stars. She was included in the England u20 for the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada. On May 6, 2021 Bailey was included in the Jamaica women's national football team for the friendlies against Nigeria and the United States. On 25 October 2021, she debuted for Jamaica. ==Olympic Games==

The Olympic organizers appealed for a talented young footballer to take part in the 2012 Summer Olympics torch relay. Bailey had been trained She was interviewed by the BBC's children's news program Newsround about the event and pointed out that Beckham drove the boat for most of its journey but didn't get to park it. ==Honours==

• '''FA Women's Cup''' • Winner (2): 2012–13 and 2013–2014 • '''FA Women's Championship''' • Winner (1): 2021-22 ==References==