Melanie Garside-Wight
Encyclopedia
Melanie "Mel" Garside-Wight (born 11 August 1979) is an English
football
er, and former England women's national football team
player. A forward or winger comfortable on either flank, Garside-Wight began her career with local club Bradford City
and later joined Doncaster Belles. She was known as Melanie Garside until she married Gillian Wight in May 2010 and added her surname to her own.
and achieving England
recognition. In November 1998 she suffered a broken leg in a freak accident while training in Peel Park.
In 1999–00, with City having been relegated in her absence, Garside-Wight joined Doncaster Belles. She scored the winner in that season's FA Women's Cup
semi–final victory over Arsenal
as Doncaster reached a record 12th final. She also started The Belles' controversial 2–1 defeat to Croydon
in the final at Bramall Lane
.
Two years later Garside-Wight was an unused substitute as Doncaster Belles lost another FA Women's Cup final, this time to Fulham
at Selhurst Park
. She transferred to Northern Division
club Sheffield Wednesday that summer. In 2003–04 Garside-Wight was Manchester City's top goalscorer, before she joined Stockport County ahead of 2004–05.
Garside-Wight subsequently returned to Bradford City and became the club's captain and all–time record goalscorer. In 2010–11 she was converted to a goalkeeper.
in 1997–98. Her debut came in February 1998, playing 90 minutes of a 3–2 friendly defeat to France
in Alençon
. The following month she appeared as a substitute for Mo Marley
in a 1–0 World Cup qualifying loss to Germany
at The New Den
. Garside-Wight's third and final cap came in a 2–1 home friendly defeat to Italy
in April 1998. She and fellow striker Joanne Broadhurst
were substituted at half-time after failing to make an impact.
After Hope Powell
was appointed England manager in July 1998, Garside-Wight remained on the fringes of the national team, until suffering serious injury later that year.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football
Women's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
er, and former England women's national football team
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...
player. A forward or winger comfortable on either flank, Garside-Wight began her career with local club Bradford City
Bradford City W.F.C.
Bradford City Women's Football Club is an English women's football club which represents the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire. Founded in 1988, they currently play in the Northern Combination Women's Football League, following relegation from the FA Women's Premier League Northern Division in...
and later joined Doncaster Belles. She was known as Melanie Garside until she married Gillian Wight in May 2010 and added her surname to her own.
Club career
Garside-Wight came to prominence with Bradford City Women, playing in the FA Women's Premier League National DivisionFA 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...
and achieving 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...
recognition. In November 1998 she suffered a broken leg in a freak accident while training in Peel Park.
In 1999–00, with City having been relegated in her absence, Garside-Wight joined Doncaster Belles. She scored the winner in that season's 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...
semi–final victory over 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...
as Doncaster reached a record 12th final. She also started The Belles' controversial 2–1 defeat to Croydon
Charlton Athletic L.F.C.
Charlton Athletic Women's Football Club play in the FA Women's Premier League National Division in England. Between 2000, the year it was founded from Croydon Women's F.C. and 2007, Charlton had one of the most successful women's teams in England...
in the final at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
.
Two years later Garside-Wight was an unused substitute as Doncaster Belles lost another FA Women's Cup final, this time to 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....
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:...
. She transferred to Northern Division
FA Women's Premier League Northern Division
The FA Women's Premier League Northern Division is a league in the third-level in the women's football pyramid in England, along with the Southern division. These two divisions are below the FA Women's Super League and National Division....
club Sheffield Wednesday that summer. In 2003–04 Garside-Wight was Manchester City's top goalscorer, before she joined Stockport County ahead of 2004–05.
Garside-Wight subsequently returned to Bradford City and became the club's captain and all–time record goalscorer. In 2010–11 she was converted to a goalkeeper.
International career
As a teenager Garside-Wight played three times for EnglandEngland 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...
in 1997–98. Her debut came in February 1998, playing 90 minutes of a 3–2 friendly defeat to France
France women's national football team
The French women's national football team represents France in international women's football. The team is directed by the French Football Federation and competes as a member of UEFA in various international football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro, the Summer...
in Alençon
Alençon
Alençon is a commune in Normandy, France, capital of the Orne department. It is situated west of Paris. Alençon belongs to the intercommunality of Alençon .-History:...
. The following month she appeared as a substitute for Mo Marley
Mo Marley
Maureen 'Mo' Marley MBE is an English female former international footballer. She is the head coach of Everton Ladies and is also the head coach of the England Women's Under-19 team.-Club career:...
in a 1–0 World Cup qualifying loss to Germany
Germany women's national football team
The German women's national football team represents Germany in international women's football and is directed by the German Football Association . The team – informally called West Germany in English – played its first international match in 1982...
at The New Den
The New Den
The Den , is a football stadium and the home of Millwall FC. It is situated in South Bermondsey, South East London, almost directly adjacent to the railway line between London Bridge and New Cross Gate, plus the SELCHP incinerator. It is under a quarter of a mile away from original Den...
. Garside-Wight's third and final cap came in a 2–1 home friendly defeat to 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 :...
in April 1998. She and fellow striker Joanne Broadhurst
Joanne Broadhurst
Joanne "Jo" Broadhurst is a former English female footballer. She represented England at full international level and played for the leading English clubs Doncaster Belles, Arsenal and Croydon/Charlton Athletic.-Club career:...
were substituted at half-time after failing to make an impact.
After Hope Powell
Hope Powell
Hope Patricia Powell, CBE is the coach of the England women's national football team. Powell is an ‘A’ License coach and in 2003 became the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence - the highest coaching award available.-Early life:Powell was educated at Bethany School and went on to take A...
was appointed England manager in July 1998, Garside-Wight remained on the fringes of the national team, until suffering serious injury later that year.