Kerry Davis

Kerry Davis (born 2 August 1962) is an English former international women's footballer. She was the first Black woman to play for the England women's national team. She is currently the third highest goal scorer for England behind Ellen White and Kelly Smith, with 43 goals.

During her 16-year international career, Davis represented England in the inaugural 1984 UEFA Championships final and at England's first FIFA Women's World Cup appearance in 1995. She also helped England win the Mundialito tournament in Italy and scored for her country at Wembley Stadium. At club level Davis spent four seasons playing in Italy, in between spells with Crewe Alexandra Ladies. She later played for Liverpool Ladies and Croydon.

Club career Davis was a 23–year–old student from Stoke-on-Trent, playing for Crewe Alexandra Ladies, when Italian club Roi Lazio signed her in November 1985. She spent four years playing semi–professionally in Italy, one year at the Stadio Flaminio with Roi Lazio, two years with Trani and one with Napoli. In her second season with Trani, Davis played alongside compatriot Debbie Bampton. They finished runners–up in both the Serie A and national Cup before the club folded and Bampton returned to England.

After a further year at Napoli, Davis returned to Crewe Alexandra Ladies, Knowsley became Liverpool Ladies that summer and Davis left for Croydon Women in December 1994.

In 1996, Davis was playing for Croydon when they won the league and cup double. In May 1996 goals from Davis and Brenda Sempare earned the decisive 2–1 league win over Arsenal Ladies. That summer she sparked rumours of a transfer by guesting for Arsenal Ladies in a pre–season tournament, but remained with Croydon. She eventually resigned in April 1999.

International career Davis made her England debut in 1982, becoming England's first black woman international. Davis played in the first UEFA championships for national women's teams in 1984. England reached the final only to lose to Sweden on penalties, despite Davis successfully converting her kick. In the qualifying stages, Davis had been England's top scorer after making her debut in the first ever match in UEFA competition; a 7–1 win over Northern Ireland at Gresty Road on 19 September 1982. In August 1985 Davis scored in a 1–1 group stage draw with Italy, during England's victorious Mundialito campaign. At the 1987 UEFA championships England lost to Sweden at the semi–final stage, 3–2 after extra time. Davis gave England the lead against Italy in the third place match, but Carolina Morace and Betty Vignotto replied to ensure England finished fourth.

As a curtain–raiser to the 1990 FA Charity Shield, England played Italy at Wembley Stadium. Davis netted a consolation in England's 4–1 defeat, while Carolina Morace scored all four Italian goals and featured on the front page of the following day's La Gazzetta dello Sport. Davis later described her former Trani teammate Morace as: "the best women's player I have ever seen."

Davis also played in all four of England's matches at the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. In March 1998, Davis made her 82nd and final appearance for England, but was substituted 20 minutes into a 1–0 defeat to Germany at The Den.

Davis left the England squad in April 1998, ahead of another friendly with Italy.

In October 2010, She Kicks magazine reported that Davis remained England's all–time record goalscorer. Although it was stated that records were "sketchy" because the Football Association (FA) took over running women's football in 1993. There was uncertainty whether all Davis's goals before this were scored in matches considered official. In February 2012 Kelly Smith netted twice against Finland, moving on to 45 goals for England and setting a new record.

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 19 September 1982 Crewe, England ?–? 7–1 1984 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying 2. ?–? 3. 3 October 1982 Dumbarton, Scotland 1–0 4–0 4. 2–0 5. 3–0 6. 4–0 7. 7 November 1982 Dublin, Ireland 1–0 1–0 8. 14 May 1983 Belfast, Northern Ireland ?–0 4–0 9. ?–0 10. 11 September 1983 Reading, England ?–0 6–0 11. ?–0 12. 30 October 1983 Charlton, England ?–? 2–2 Friendly 13. 17 Marc 1985 Lancashire, England 3–0 4–0 1987 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying 14. 25 May 1985 Antrim, Northern Ireland ?–? 8–1 15. ?–? 16. ?–? 17. ?–? 18. ?–? 19. 17 August 1985 Ramsey, Isle of Man ?–0 6–0 Friendly 20. 16 March 1986 Blackburn, England 5–0 10–0 1987 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying 21. 8–0 22. 9–0 23. 27 April 1986 Reading, England 1–0 4–0 24. 4–0 25. 29 March 1987 Dublin, Ireland 1–0 1–0 Friendly 26. 11 June 1987 Moss, Norway 2–1 3–2 1987 European Competition for Women's Football 27. 13 June 1987 Drammen, Norway 1–0 1–2 28. 8 November 1987 Reading, England 2–0 2–1 1989 European Competition for Women's Football qualifying

Awards In 2022, Davis was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. Davis received the Keith Alexander award, at the Football Black List event in April, 2024, for being a pioneer in women's football.

She was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to association football and diversity in sport in the 2026 New Year Honours.

Personal life Davis was born in England to a Jamaican father and English mother. After returning from Italy Davis worked in a sports shop in Stoke-on-Trent.

Honours

Croydon FA Women's Cup: 1996 FA Women's Premier League: 1995–96