Jemma Purfield

Jemma Elizabeth Purfield (born 21 February 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a full-back for Women's Championship club Newcastle United.

Early life Born in Beverley, England, Purfield is the younger of two children to her parents, Rob and Liz. She was identified and, after a trial, selected to the Hull Girls Centre of Excellence. When the Hull centre was closed down by The Football Association (FA) as part of a national restructuring of the women's game, Purfield switched to the North Yorkshire Centre of Excellence.

Purfield attended Cottingham High School and Wyke College, where she played on the football team and was named Sports Personality of the Year during her senior season. At Wyke, she pursued her A-levels in physical education.

Career Purfield began her career with Doncaster Rovers Belles, making her senior first team debut on 20 April 2013 as a halftime substitute in a 4–0 WSL defeat to Chelsea. In doing so she became Doncaster's youngest WSL player. Purfield moved to newly founded Durham during the 2014 season, scoring three goals in their inaugural WSL 2 campaign as the team finished 6th.

College career In 2015, Purfield moved to the United States on a scholarship to play college soccer, first with the South Alabama Jaguars before transferring to the Arizona State Sun Devils after two seasons. She captained both teams and earned several individual awards, including Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year in 2015 and SBC Player of the Year in 2016.

Liverpool Purfield declared for the 2019 NWSL College Draft but was not selected. She instead returned to England and signed a contract with FA WSL club Liverpool in January 2019.

Bristol City Following Liverpool's relegation, Purfield left upon the expiration of her contract and remained in the WSL after signing a two-year contract with Bristol City. She made 27 appearances for Bristol in all competitions, including in the 2021 FA Women's League Cup Final as Bristol City finished runners-up to Chelsea. Purfield left at the end of the season following the team's relegation.

Leicester City In July 2021, Purfield joined Leicester City. In June 2023, she departed the club.

Southampton In 2023, Purfield joined Southampton. On 1 July 2025 it was announced that Purfield was leaving the club upon the expiry of her contract, having made 50 appearances in total and served as captain for the 2024-25 season.

Newcastle United Purfield joined Newcastle United prior to the 2025–26 Women's Super League 2 season.

Career statistics