Angela Banks

Angela Banks (born 23 December 1975) is an English former female footballer. She represented England at full international level and played at the top club level for Arsenal Ladies.

Club career Banks joined Whitehawk Ladies aged 11, but moved to Sweden aged 16. She spent four years playing for Surahammar, then signed for Jitex BK.

In 1998 Banks returned to Whitehawk and finished top goalscorer in the 1998–99 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division. She then signed for Arsenal in summer 1999, being employed by the club as a football development officer. She has also done coaching and other administrative duties. including the winner in the FA Women's Cup final against professional Fulham. Banks was the player of the match for the FA Cup final. Her season total also included scoring five goals against Liverpool in December 2000. She was the league's top scorer.

During the 2001-02 season, Banks scored the first ever goal for Arsenal women in European football against Swiss champions Bern in the group stage. Banks celebrated with her first and only knee-slide.

In March 2002 Fulham entered a seven-day notice of their intent to sign Banks, much to the fury of Arsenal manager Vic Akers. However Banks pledged her future to Arsenal when they announced a switch to semi-professionalism in May 2002. Banks retired at the end of 2002–03, but returned to Arsenal for 2004–05, helping the club remain undefeated and win another league title. Banks scored 133 goals in 143 appearances for Arsenal.

International career While playing in Sweden, Banks was encouraged by her club coach to take dual-nationality and play for the Sweden women's national football team. She rejected the opportunity. Banks' first goal came in only her second start, a 2–1 friendly win over Finland in September 2000.

Banks also scored against Russia in a 1–1 draw at UEFA Women's Euro 2001. In March 2002 Banks captained England for the first time, scoring in a 3–1 loss to Norway at the Algarve Cup.

Due in part to a fear of flying, Banks quit international football in July 2002.

She was allotted 131 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.

Honours

Arsenal FA Women's Premier League: 2000–01, 2001–02, 2004–05 FA Cup: 2000–01 FA Women's National League Cup: 1999–00, 2000–01, 2004–5 FA Women's Community Shield: 2000, 2001 London County FA Women's Cup: 1999–00