Previously described as "one of the best young players in Europe", Lucy Staniforth is an English female footballer known for playing the position of a central attacking midfielder. Over her career, she has represented teams such as Sunderland, Notts County, Bristol Academy, Liverpool, Birmingham City and the England national team.
Coming from a footballing family, Lucy was set up for greatness from a young age. At the age of 16, she was signed to Sunderland for her first senior football season. She became a key component in Sunderland's success during the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division win and the 2009 FA Women's Cup final.
During her club career, Lucy was nominated for numerous awards such as the FA WSL Goal of the Season and in 2018 was awarded the title of Player of the Year.
Having represented her country from youth level to senior level, Lucy featured in the 2008 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup where England finished in fourth place, also took part in the 2009 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship to which England won. She also took part in the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship, 2010 FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup and the Under-23 Four Nations La Manga Tournament. She was first called up to the senior England squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, gaining her first cap in September 2018 in a qualifying match against Kazakhstan. Lucy participated in the ultimate game in the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, helping the Lionesses win the international tournament for the first time.
