Jenna Schillaci (born 21 March 1984) is an English former professional footballer. Primarily a defender, she played for and captained Tottenham Hotspur during their rise from the lower divisions to the FA Women's Super League.
.jpg) Schillaci at White Hart Lane in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 March 1984 | ||
| Place of birth | Enfield, England[1] | ||
| Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2001 | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| 2001–2004 | Queens Park Rangers | ||
| 2004–2007 | Langford | ||
| 2007–2009 | Enfield Town | ||
| 2009–2020 | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:25, 31 September 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:36, 14 September 2019 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Schillaci is from the London Borough of Enfield in north London, England. She grew up in a family of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporters and played football with her brothers during her childhood.[3][4] As a 16-year-old she joined Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and immediately went into the first team, playing in the Greater London Women's Football League and FA Women's Cup.[5]
After one season, Schillaci left Tottenham Hotspur.[1] She moved to play for Queens Park Rangers and later Langford, then Enfield Town.[1][4] She returned to Tottenham in summer 2009.[6]
As a versatile utility player, Schillaci featured in midfield or at full back for Spurs.[2] After several seasons she successfully deputised as a central defender and remained permanently in the role after that.[3] She was particularly proud to captain Spurs to the 2016–17 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division title, secured by beating West Ham at her beloved White Hart Lane.[4]
In 2019 Schillaci was among 11 of Spurs' existing players to be offered a full-time professional contract to remain with the club following their promotion to the FA Women's Super League.[7] Reflecting on the progress made since her humble beginnings at the club, she described the development as: "amazing, a dream come true".[8]
Schillaci made her top division debut in Spurs' 1–0 defeat by Chelsea, played before 24,564 spectators at Stamford Bridge. After the match she told reporters: "We're not in this league to make up the numbers".[9] The 2019–20 FA WSL season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and 36-year-old Schillaci announced her playing retirement in June 2020.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c "11 Jenna Schillaci". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Jenna Schillaci". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ a b Karimullah, Khalid (25 February 2018). "The Big Interview - Jenna Schillaci". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Women. Retrieved 14 September 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Turner, Kate (21 August 2018). "Player Post: Spurs Ladies' captain Jenna Schillaci". National Football Museum. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Tottenham Hotspur Ladies - First Team Season 2000-01". My Eyes Have Seen The Glory. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "THLFC New Season New Start". My Eyes Have Seen The Glory. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Introducing our Tottenham Hotspur Women players". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Jenna's journey to the top flight". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ Rosser, Jack (9 September 2019). "Tottenham prove they are no pushovers despite Chelsea defeat - FA WSL news". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "End of an era as Jenna Schillaci retires". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
External links edit
- Jenna Schillaci at Soccerway
- Jenna Schillaci on Twitter