Lucy Staniforth

Club career Sunderland

Youth, 2006–07 Upon moving to Alnwick, Staniforth was too old to continue playing with boys, and her parents were unaware of other opportunities in the area. They were advised to speak with Diane Bronze, a neighbour and advocate for girls' football; Diane suggested Staniforth join Blyth Town's girls' side with her daughter, Lucy Bronze, which she did in about 2004. Staniforth scored her first goal for the club in the home fixture against Doncaster Rovers Belles, with a 22-yard drive. In her first season at the Stoke Gifford Stadium, Staniforth reached the second Women's FA Cup final of her career. During the match she suffered a serious knee injury and was stretchered off. After only a short time at the club, Staniforth subsequently spent the remainder of the season sidelined, with plans to return in time for the 2014 season. Bristol ended the season runners-up, losing 2–0 on the final day of the season to champions Liverpool.

Liverpool In February 2014, Staniforth joined reigning FA WSL champions Liverpool for a reported five-figure fee. Staniforth sustained an injury during pre-season, this time to the anterior cruciate ligament in her other leg, which put her out of action for the entirety of the 2014 season. Despite Staniforth's injury, Liverpool went on to win the FA WSL title for the second consecutive year.

Return to Sunderland In January 2016, Staniforth left Liverpool and returned to Sunderland on a two-year contract.

At the beginning of the 2017 season, Lucy was awarded penalty-taking responsibilities for her club. In both the fifth and sixth round of the Women's FA Cup, against Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, Staniforth scored from the penalty spot. She then scored on two further occasions in the league, from the spot against her old club Bristol City and directly from a corner against Yeovil Town with the outside of her foot.

Following Stephanie Bannon's retirement, Staniforth was named club captain of Sunderland in July 2017. Staniforth's rich vein of form continued into the 2018 season, scoring against both Sheffield and Liverpool and netting a brace against Aston Villa. In the Fourth Round of the FA Cup against Brighouse Town L.F.C, Lucy scored a second half hat-trick – the first hat-trick of her senior career. In Staniforth's inaugural season as captain, she was awarded Player of the Season for her club and nominated for Goal of the Season at the FAWSL Awards.

Birmingham City In 2018, she joined Birmingham City. After two seasons, she left upon the expiry of her contract.

Manchester United On 9 July 2020, Staniforth signed a two-year deal with Manchester United. She made her debut on 4 October as a 65th-minute substitute in a 3–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. On 1 August 2022, Staniforth signed a one-year contract extension until the end of the 2022–23 season.

Aston Villa On 9 January 2023, Staniforth signed for fellow WSL team Aston Villa on a free transfer following the termination of her Manchester United contract. She joined the rapidly-improving team after having struggled for playing time at Manchester United, and moved into a deeper midfield role, being key in Aston Villa reaching fifth in the league behind the big four. Staniforth signed a further one-year contract extension on 17 July 2025. She made her 50th appearance for Villa, and first start of the 2025–26 season, in a 2–0 FA Cup fourth round loss to Arsenal on 18 January 2026. On the 7th of May, 2026, Staniforth announced her retirement from football at the end of the 2025–26 season.

International career Youth She featured for England in their fourth-place finish at the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand, scoring an excellent goal against Japan in the quarter final.

In July 2009 Staniforth competed at the 2009 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Belarus, which England won. In her time with the U-19s, she scored twice. In 2010 Staniforth helped England reach the final of the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in FYR Macedonia, where they lost their title to France. Later that summer Staniforth played in two of England's games at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany. Staniforth subsequently joined the ranks of the U-23s, making her debut against Norway in February 2012. Staniforth scored an impressive 25-yard drive in the first game of the Under-23 Four Nations La Manga Tournament, helping her team beat Sweden 2–0.

In 2012 she was described by former England coach Mark Sampson as "one of the best young players in Europe".

Senior

Staniforth earned her first call up to the senior England squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying match against Russia at Sapsan Arena in Moscow on 8 June 2018. She gained her first cap on 4 September 2018 in a 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying match against Kazakhstan, scoring on her debut in the 66th minute. Staniforth scored the opening goal in the ultimate game of the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, helping the Lionesses beat Japan 3–0 and win the international tournament for the first time.

On 8 May 2019, Staniforth was called up to the England 23-player squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.

Staniforth was the 208th player to represent the England women's team, with this given as her legacy number by FA to honour the teams' 50th anniversary.

Staniforth was included in England's 28-player preliminary squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2022, but was not selected for the final squad. The following year, she was a late addition to the standby list for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, replacing the injured Jess Park.

Career statistics Club

International As of match played 6 June 2019. England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Staniforth goal. + International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 4 September 2018 Ortaliq Stadion, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan 4–0 6–0 2019 FIFA World Cup qualification 2 5 March 2019 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, United States 1–0 3–0 2019 SheBelieves Cup

Honours Sunderland FA Women's Premier League Northern Division: 2008–09 FA Cup runner-up: 2009

Bristol Academy Individual Sunderland Ladies Player of the Year: 2018