Angela Banks
Encyclopedia
Angela Banks is a former English female footballer. She represented England
at full international level and played at the top club level for Arsenal Ladies
.
aged 16. She spent four years playing for Surahammar, then signed for Jitex BK
. Despite becoming engaged to a Swedish man, Banks left Sweden to be nearer to her parents, who are deaf.
In 1998 Banks returned to Whitehawk and finished top goalscorer in the 1998-99 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division
. She then signed for Arsenal
in summer 1999, being employed by the club as a football development officer.
Banks scored 42 goals in 2000-01 as Arsenal won the treble, including the winner in the FA Women's Cup
final against professional Fulham
. This total also included scoring five goals against Liverpool
in December 2000.
In March 2002 Fulham entered a seven day notice of their intent to sign Banks, much to the fury of Arsenal manager Vic Akers
. However Banks pledged her future to Arsenal when they announced a switch to semi-professionalism in May 2002. Banks retired at the end of 2002-03, but returned to Arsenal for 2004-05, helping the club remain undefeated and win another league title.
In 2005 Banks returned to Whitehawk, and joined the coaching staff at the club a year later - alongside Debbie Bampton
.
. She rejected the opportunity.
In May 1999 Banks made her international debut for England
against Italy
. Two years later she scored her second international goal, a game-winning twenty yard chip against Scotland
. Banks' first goal came in only her second start, a 2-1 friendly win over Finland
in September 2000.
Banks also scored against Russia
in a 1-1 draw at UEFA Women's Euro 2001. In March 2002 Banks captained England for the first time, scoring in a 3-1 loss to Norway
at the Algarve Cup
.
Due in part to a fear of flying
, Banks quit international football in July 2002.
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
at full international level and played at the top club level for Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
.
Club career
Banks joined Whitehawk Ladies aged 11, but moved to SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
aged 16. She spent four years playing for Surahammar, then signed for Jitex BK
Jitex BK
Jitex BK, a football club in Mölndal, Sweden was founded January 21, 1971 and plays in the Damallsvenskan.Jitex BK is one of the most successful clubs in Swedish women's football, with six national championships and three victories in the Swedish Cup during the 1970s and 80s. The Jitex name came...
. Despite becoming engaged to a Swedish man, Banks left Sweden to be nearer to her parents, who are deaf.
In 1998 Banks returned to Whitehawk and finished top goalscorer in the 1998-99 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division
FA Women's Premier League Southern Division
The FA Women's Premier League Southern Division is a league in the Third level in the women's football pyramid in England, along with the Northern division. These two divisions are below the FA Women's Super League and National Division...
. She then signed for Arsenal
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in summer 1999, being employed by the club as a football development officer.
Banks scored 42 goals in 2000-01 as Arsenal won the treble, including the winner in the FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
final against professional Fulham
Fulham L.F.C.
WFC Fulham, previously known as Fulham LFC, was a Ladies Football Club formerly associated with Fulham Football Club. The team were dissolved as of 16 May 2006, but were later re-established with independence from Fulham F.C....
. This total also included scoring five goals against Liverpool
Liverpool L.F.C.
Liverpool Ladies Football Club is a semi–professional women's football club affiliated with Liverpool Football Club and playing in the FA WSL...
in December 2000.
In March 2002 Fulham entered a seven day notice of their intent to sign Banks, much to the fury of Arsenal manager Vic Akers
Vic Akers
Victor David Akers, OBE is a former football player and manager. He played as a left back and is currently Arsenal's kit manager...
. However Banks pledged her future to Arsenal when they announced a switch to semi-professionalism in May 2002. Banks retired at the end of 2002-03, but returned to Arsenal for 2004-05, helping the club remain undefeated and win another league title.
In 2005 Banks returned to Whitehawk, and joined the coaching staff at the club a year later - alongside Debbie Bampton
Debbie Bampton
Deborah Bampton, MBE, is an English former international football midfielder. She was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1998 Bampton was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to women's football as both a player and a manager.-Club career:Bampton began her career...
.
International career
While playing in Sweden, Banks was encouraged by her club coach to take dual-nationality and play for the Sweden women's national football teamSweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
. She rejected the opportunity.
In May 1999 Banks made her international debut for England
England women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
against Italy
Italy women's national football team
The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...
. Two years later she scored her second international goal, a game-winning twenty yard chip against Scotland
Scotland women's national football team
The Scotland women's national football team represents Scotland in international women's football. They have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships and are currently ranked 23rd in the world and 14th in Europe....
. Banks' first goal came in only her second start, a 2-1 friendly win over Finland
Finland women's national football team
The Finland women's national football team represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland , reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark...
in September 2000.
Banks also scored against Russia
Russia women's national football team
The Russia women's national football team represents Russia in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Football Union of Russia and affiliated with UEFA...
in a 1-1 draw at UEFA Women's Euro 2001. In March 2002 Banks captained England for the first time, scoring in a 3-1 loss to Norway
Norway women's national football team
The Norway women's national football team represents Norway in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, are former European, World and Olympic champions and thus one of the most successful national teams...
at the Algarve Cup
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
.
Due in part to a fear of flying
Fear of flying
A fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane , or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also sometimes referred to as aerophobia, aviatophobia, aviophobia or pteromerhanophobia....
, Banks quit international football in July 2002.
External links
- Profile at FIFA.com