Jill Scott is the most experienced member of the England Lionesses squad for the 2022 European Championships. Going into the home tournament, Scott accumulated a whopping 158 international caps throughout a decade and a half at the top of women’s football, adding a further appearance in the Lionesses’ record-breaking 8-0 thrashing against Norway on Monday.
Although she may no longer be one of the first names on the team sheet, her experience at major tournaments could prove invaluable. Scott now has Fara Williams’ record haul of 172 caps firmly in her sights, and played a pivotal role in the promotion and growing popularity of women’s football in the 21st century.
The midfielder has also built up an illustrious club career, making over 100 appearances for both Everton and Manchester City. Becoming known as a player of the big occasion, Scott has many highlights on the grand occasion, and will hope there’s still time left to create many more special memories.
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Jill Scott’s journey into football and early strides in the women’s game
Growing up in the north-east, Jill Scott was a keen long-distance runner. She ran for Sunderland Harriers and even won both the North of England Under-13 cross-country title and the Junior Great North Run.
At the same time, she was also playing football for Boldon Girls. Eventually, at the age of 13, she had to make the difficult decision of whether to continue pursuing running or football - she certainly didn’t go on to regret her choice of football.
Scott’s senior career began with hometown club Sunderland Women and in October 2005, aged only 18, she won the Women's Player of the Month Award following stellar performances for club and country (for the U19s). In the summer of 2006, she made the move to Everton Ladies, having turned down an offer from Doncaster Rovers Belles, and it was here where she would really cement herself as a force to be reckoned with.
Jill Scott’s Everton and Manchester City success
Scott’s first appearance for the Toffees came in the FA Women’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. At the end of her second season in the north-west, she picked up the FA Tesco Players' Player of the Year award, beating nominees Alex Scott and Karen Carney.
During her time in Merseyside, Scott won the FA Women's Premier League Cup and the FA Women's Cup, playing in both finals. After seven years at Everton, where she established herself as one of English football’s brightest stars, Scott made the move to Manchester City in late 2013.
In the team’s first season as a professional outlet, she helped her new side claim the Continental Tyres Cup. Further trophies followed in this second stint of more than 100 appearances, including another three League Cups, three FA Cups (including scoring against Birmingham City in 2017) and one FA Women’s Super League title.
Scott also quickly became a popular figure with her teammates and supporters alike, courtesy of her amiable and larger-than-life personality. Fans would dub her ‘Crouchy’, after male footballer Peter Crouch, due to her 5ft 11ins frame.
The latter stages of her time at City saw her enjoy loan spells with fellow Women’s Super League sides Everton, where she made a feel-good return, and Aston Villa. This summer, Scott brought an end to her successful eight-and-a-half years in Manchester, with plans to honour her service next season at a game that will see fans show their appreciation for the no.8.
Jill Scott’s international career
Since making her England debut in August 2006, against the Netherlands, Jill Scott has become one of a select few Lionesses to surpass 150 caps. Just a year after her debut, she grabbed herself a spot on the plane to China for the World Cup, where she scored in the 6-1 triumph over Argentina.
She has now featured in nine major tournaments with the Lionesses, and the influential midfielder made her mark in many of those competitions. Key strikes included the winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2009 semi-final, the equaliser against Belgium in Euro 2017 qualifying and the deft finish in their 3-0 win against Wales which sealed England’s place at France 2019.
She won her 100th cap against Australia in 2015, and her 150th cap came in February 2021 when she led the Lionesses out against Northern Ireland at St George’s Park. Although not yet having the record for most England caps, Scott does hold the accolade of making the most appearances at World Cup finals - after making her 18th in 2019.
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