Ellen Maggs

Ellen Louise Maggs (born 16 February 1983) is an English former international footballer. As well as the England women's national football team, Maggs played FA Women's Premier League football for clubs including Birmingham City, Watford and Arsenal. Often described as diminutive,[1] Maggs operated as a quick, skilful and creative forward.

Ellen Maggs
Personal information
Full name Ellen Louise Maggs
Date of birth (1983-02-16) 16 February 1983
Place of birth Islington, England
Height 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Arsenal Ladies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Arsenal Ladies
2004–2006 Birmingham City
2006 New York Magic
2006–2008 Watford
2008–2009 Welwyn Garden City
2008–2009 Haringey Borough
National team
2003–2004 England 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Maggs joined Arsenal Ladies as a nine-year-old, after being spotted at an after school football course. On seeing Maggs for the first time, Arsenal manager Vic Akers informed her father that she would one day play for England.[2] Having grown up in nearby Islington, Maggs was already an Arsenal supporter.[3] Aged 17, she came on as a substitute in Arsenal's 4–1 FA Women's Premier League Cup final win over Croydon in April 2000.[4]

When Marieanne Spacey left Arsenal for Fulham in 2002, Maggs was elevated into regular first team contention.[5] Two goals against Fulham in the televised FA Women's Community Shield underscored Maggs' potential, but minor injuries disrupted her 2002–03 campaign.[6] After a further season at Arsenal, in which Maggs scored the League–clinching goal,[7] Marcus Bignot signed her for his ambitious Birmingham City team in August 2004.[8]

Maggs joined American W-League club New York Magic in June 2006, along with Birmingham teammate Laura Bassett.[9]

In September 2006 Maggs signed for FA Women's Premier League Southern Division club Watford, managed by her former Arsenal teammate Sian Williams.[10] She was paired in attack with Helen Lander, who later stated:[11]

My favourite season was one at Watford where I played up front with Ellen Maggs. She was different gravy and I am told she was nowhere near her best at that stage in her career. I have no doubt that had things worked out differently for her, we would be talking about one of England’s all time greats.

In 2008–09 Maggs turned out for Welwyn Garden City and Haringey Borough.

International career

Maggs represented England at the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Canada.[12] A FIFA.com article said of Maggs:[13]

With the smallest feet in the squad, diminutive striker Ellen Maggs turns up like fine dust all over the field. Gifted with a telepathic impulse for turning defenders and exploding with pace into space, the Arsenal product may well prove the future of English football – and a critical image and icon for other young British girls to look to for a role model.

She was called into the senior England squad for the first time in November 2002, when Arsenal teammate Kirsty Pealling pulled out of the World Cup qualifying play–off second leg against France.[14]

On 19 May 2003 Maggs made her senior debut, as a 66th-minute substitute for Amanda Barr in a 4–0 defeat to Canada during a tour of North America.[15] A second appearance came in October 2003, during a 2–2 draw in Russia.[16]

A 2–0 friendly win over Denmark at Fratton Park in February 2004 was Maggs' first start for England.[17] In September 2004 she featured as a substitute in another friendly, a 1–0 win over the Netherlands in Tuitjenhorn.[18] In January 2005 Maggs was recalled to a 30–player training squad for the annual trip to La Manga Club.[19] She missed out on selection for UEFA Women's Euro 2005 but was called into the national Under 21 squad for the Nordic Cup in July 2005.[20]

References
  1. "Ellen Maggs". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  2. Rice, Ben (29 October 2002). "Maggs Goes From Strength to Strength". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  3. "Ellen Maggs going great Guns at Arsenal". femaleSOCCER.net. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  4. Aldis, Colin A. "England Clubs 1999 - 2000 Season". Women's Soccer World. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  5. Cocozza, Paula (11 November 2002). "Women's Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  6. Stone, Alex (19 May 2003). "England Face Canadian Test". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  7. "Arsenal Ladies Clinch the Title". Arsenal.com. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  8. "True Blues help secure Maggs signing". Women's Soccer Scene. 5 August 2004. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  9. "English Flavor; Magic sign 3 National Team players". Big Apple Soccer. 5 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  10. "Watford Ladies England hat trick!". Watford Ladies Football Club. 4 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  11. "Discussing FAWSL and International Football with Helen Lander". Ricky Master Coach. 3 May 2012 2004. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. Rice, Ben (25 June 2003). "Maggs About to Mature". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  13. "Tough-tackling England no soft touch". FIFA. 18 August 2002. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  14. "Maggs Earns Senior Call-up". The Football Association. 6 November 2002. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  15. Stone, Alex (20 May 2003). "Canadians Rock England". The Football Association. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  16. "England women Fixtures and Results, 2004/05". Cresswell Wanderers FC. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  17. "Kelly and Kristy inspire England win". Women's Soccer Scene. 19 February 2004. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  18. "International Matches (Women) 2004". RSSSF.com. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  19. Saffer, Paul (4 January 2005). "Young duo join England party". UEFA. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  20. "Brent's Finishing School". The Football Association. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
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