Kerry Davis made history in 1982 when she became the first Black woman to play football for England. Now, at 62, she reflects on her groundbreaking career and the incredible progress of women’s football in the UK.
Pioneering Black Representation in English Football
Davis’s debut for England against Northern Ireland at Crewe’s Gresty Road marked a significant milestone. She went on to earn 82 caps and score 44 goals for her country between 1982 and 1998.
“To me, the most important thing was to play at the highest level I could,” Davis shared. Her focus was on representing England and being the best version of herself on the pitch.
Overcoming Racism and Finding Solace in Football
Growing up in Staffordshire, Davis faced significant racial challenges. “Where we lived, there was a lot of racism,” she recalled. Football became her escape from the harsh realities of her environment.
“School was very painful – more so for my brother and sister than for me,” Davis explained. “My outlet was just go and play football.”
Rising Through the Ranks in Women’s Football
Davis’s journey to the national team began at just 10 years old when she joined Sandbach Women in Cheshire. Later, at 16, she joined Crewe Alexandra Ladies, where her potential was recognized.
“They had a good coach there called John Fleet,” Davis said. “He basically said that if I joined Crewe he’d help develop me, make me a better player.”
Unrecognized Achievements and Delayed Recognition
Despite helping England reach the 1984 European Championship final, Davis and her teammates’ achievements went largely unnoticed. The final, played in front of just 2,500 fans, received minimal media attention.
“It does make me feel sad that our achievement was not recognised for a long, long time,” Davis admitted. However, she remains proud of her accomplishments.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Lionesses
Recently, Davis has received long-overdue recognition for her pioneering role. She was honored with the Keith Alexander award from the Football Black List and a lifetime achievement award at the 2024 Women’s Football Awards.
Davis has also spoken to current Lionesses about her experiences, at the request of England manager Sarina Wiegman. She’s involved in projects highlighting the impact of players with Caribbean heritage on English football.
Witnessing the Evolution of Women’s Football
Davis marvels at the progress made in women’s football since her playing days. The professional environment at St George’s Park and the massive audience for the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory were once unimaginable.
“I thought it could happen in my lifetime, that they’d have the same facilities as the men,” Davis said. “They’ve made all my dreams come true.”
