Debbie Bampton

Deborah Bampton (born 7 October 1961) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. During her career, Bampton won a treble at Arsenal and two doubles with Croydon. She was also capped a total of 95 times for England, scoring seven goals in all. In 1987 she moved to Italy, playing for Despar Trani 80 as a full–time professional alongside compatriot Kerry Davis. She spent just one season there, but won runners–up medals in both the Serie A and national Cup. With this being so, Bampton left Highbury to become player-manager of Croydon Women in 1994. In the 1995–96 season, Croydon won the League title and the FA Women's Cup. Despite leaving the field after eight minutes due to injury, Bampton won her fifth FA Cup winners' medal when Croydon beat Liverpool in the 1996 final at the New Den.

In 2004, she joined Eastbourne Borough Ladies, a team her father was coaching. During their first season as a women's team, they went on to win the Sussex County Cup and the League Cup. The following year, she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

International career Bampton made her England debut whilst still at school, playing against the Netherlands in September 1978. In the second leg of the final at Kenilworth Road, Bampton scored in England's penalty shootout defeat to Sweden. In 1985, she became the England captain following the retirement of Carol Thomas, then England's most capped player and still the second longest serving captain. In 1991, she was injured and replaced as captain by Gillian Coultard. In 1995, new manager Ted Copeland restored her as captain, and she led the Three Lionesses into their first ever FIFA Women's World Cup appearance that year. Bampton recalled: "It was difficult, especially as Gill and I were roommates and at that point the England squad was split. A lot of people wanted Clare Taylor to be captain, but it was something I'd always wanted to do and so I just enjoyed it." She retained the captaincy for England's failed 1997 UEFA Women's Championship qualification campaign. In May 1997, Bampton made her final England appearance in a 6–0 friendly defeat to United States in Portland. She won 95 caps for England, scoring three goals altogether.

Playing style Bampton was a tall, strong and industrious central midfielder. She characterised herself as "a box-to-box player" and said "I worked hard to win the ball, and I was always looking to make forward runs. I was not a natural goalscorer, but I did look to set up chances for others." In February 2008, she was manager of Whitehawk Ladies. Bampton joined the coaching staff of Lewes Ladies in January 2009.

Personal life Bampton is a supporter of Arsenal.

Honours

Club Lowestoft FA Women's Cup: 1982

Howbury Grange FA Women's Cup: 1984

Millwall FA Women's Cup: 1991

Arsenal WSL Cup: 1993 Women's Premier League: 1993 FA Women's Cup: 1993

Croydon Women's Premier League: 1996, 1999, 2000 WSL Cup: 1996, 2000

Individual English Football Hall of Fame: 2005