Caroline Thorpe
Encyclopedia
Caroline Thorpe is an Irish former international football midfielder. During her career she represented Arsenal Ladies
and Leeds United Ladies
, as well as Memphis Mercury
.
in August 2000 along with compatriots Susan Heapes and Yvonne Tracy
. Thorpe was one of seven Irish
players then in the Arsenal squad, and with Emma Byrne
and Ciara Grant
, one of three who were regulars in the first team. On her debut Thorpe scored two goals in a 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers
. She won the domestic treble in her first season, and was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Fulham
in the 2001 FA Women's Cup
final at Selhurst Park
.
Despite this success Thorpe returned to St. Catherine's in May 2001. She was back in the FA Women's Premier League
in 2001–02, but with newly-promoted Leeds United
. In summer 2002 Thorpe played in the American W-League
with Memphis Mercury
, before returning to Leeds for 2002–03.
Thorpe and her ex-Arsenal team-mate Susan Heapes both played in St. Catherine's 1-0 FAI Women's Cup
final defeat to St. Francis in July 2009. A third Arsenal player from that era, Grainne Kierans
, was on the opposing side.
came as a 16-year-old. In September 2000 Thorpe scored against Scotland
and Northern Ireland
as the Republic won the Celt Cup, a quadrangular tournament also featuring the Isle of Man. That year she was nominated as the FAI
Under-18 International Player of the Year, and won the award.
She later featured in the qualifying tournaments for the 2003 World Cup and 2005 European Championship. In October 2004 Thorpe scored Ireland's winner in a 2-1 friendly win in the Faroe Islands
and then played in a 5-1 loss to the United States
at Soldier Field
.
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...
and Leeds United Ladies
Leeds United L.F.C.
Leeds United Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They compete in the FA Women's Premier League National Division for the 2009–10 season and are one of two Yorkshire teams in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, along with...
, as well as Memphis Mercury
Memphis Mercury
Memphis Mercury was an American women's soccer team, founded in 2005. The team was a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the third tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
.
Club career
Thorpe began her career with Redlake before moving to St. Catherine's in 1999. After helping the club to promotion, she joined Arsenal LadiesArsenal 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 August 2000 along with compatriots Susan Heapes and Yvonne Tracy
Yvonne Tracy
Yvonne Tracy is an Irish female international football defender. She currently plays club football for Arsenal Ladies.-Club career:...
. Thorpe was one of seven Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
players then in the Arsenal squad, and with Emma Byrne
Emma Byrne
Emma Anne Byrne is an Irish association footballer from Leixlip in County Kildare. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for the English team Arsenal, and also for the Republic of Ireland women's team.-Club career:...
and Ciara Grant
Ciara Grant
Ciara Mary Grant is an Irish female international football midfielder from Waterford. She currently plays her club football for Arsenal Ladies. She has been a member of both the treble and quadruple winning Arsenal sides.-Club career:...
, one of three who were regulars in the first team. On her debut Thorpe scored two goals in a 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers L.F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Ladies Football Club are an English team founded in 1990, based in the Wirral, and affiliated with Tranmere Rovers F.C. Between 1996 and 2004 they competed in the FA Premier League National Division, then the top tier of the English women's football pyramid. Since 2011, they have...
. She won the domestic treble in her first season, and was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat 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....
in the 2001 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 at Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
.
Despite this success Thorpe returned to St. Catherine's in May 2001. She was back in the FA Women's Premier League
FA Women's Premier League National Division
The FA Women's Premier League National Division is the second level of the English women's football league pyramid. From 1991 until the introduction of the summer competition FA Women's Super League the National Division functioned as the top league in England. Below it are simultaneously the...
in 2001–02, but with newly-promoted Leeds United
Leeds United L.F.C.
Leeds United Ladies Football Club are an English women's football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. They compete in the FA Women's Premier League National Division for the 2009–10 season and are one of two Yorkshire teams in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, along with...
. In summer 2002 Thorpe played in the American W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
with Memphis Mercury
Memphis Mercury
Memphis Mercury was an American women's soccer team, founded in 2005. The team was a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the third tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...
, before returning to Leeds for 2002–03.
Thorpe and her ex-Arsenal team-mate Susan Heapes both played in St. Catherine's 1-0 FAI Women's Cup
FAI Women's Cup
The FAI Women's Cup is the Republic of Ireland's cup competition for women's football teams. It is the women's equivalent of the FAI Cup. As there was no nationwide women's league until late 2011, the cup was of special interest, as it gave teams the only chance to qualify for the UEFA Women's...
final defeat to St. Francis in July 2009. A third Arsenal player from that era, Grainne Kierans
Grainne Kierans
Gráinne Kierans is a former Irish international footballer. She played as a midfielder or striker for several English clubs and represented the Republic of Ireland national team.-Club career:...
, was on the opposing side.
International career
Thorpe's first representative games for IrelandRepublic of Ireland women's national football team
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team, selects players from both the 350 Women's Football Association of Ireland teams, in 21 affiliate leagues throughout the nation, and the international women's football community. The WFAI was founded in 1973...
came as a 16-year-old. In September 2000 Thorpe scored 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....
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland women's national football team
The Northern Ireland women's national football team represents Northern Ireland in international women's football.-World Cup record:-Current squad:Northern Ireland squad for 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers versus France on 27 and 31 March 2010...
as the Republic won the Celt Cup, a quadrangular tournament also featuring the Isle of Man. That year she was nominated as the FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
Under-18 International Player of the Year, and won the award.
She later featured in the qualifying tournaments for the 2003 World Cup and 2005 European Championship. In October 2004 Thorpe scored Ireland's winner in a 2-1 friendly win in the Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands women's national football team
The Faroe Islands women's national football team are the women's team for the Faroe Islands.-World Cup record:-Squad: The squad that was called up for the matches against Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lithuania on 11 April, 13 April and 16 April 2009. KÍ Klaksvík BK Skjold AB...
and then played in a 5-1 loss to the United States
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
at Soldier Field
Soldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
.
External links
- Caroline Thorpe at FAIFootball Association of IrelandThe Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
.ie - Caroline Thorpe at FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
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