
A tough-tackling centre-half who was the first Black woman to captain the Lionesses, Mary Phillip was a key figure in the heart of defence for both club and country.
Starting out as a junior at Millwall Lionesses, Mary fast became one of the most promising players of her generation, travelling to Sweden as part of England’s 1995 Women’s World Cup squad. Two years later, she lifted the Premier League Cup and Women’s FA Cup in quick succession.
At the turn of the millennium, Fulham came calling. At the age of 23, Phillip became one of the first female players in England to sign a professional deal. She became club captain during their ascent to the top of the Women’s Premier League, winning three more Premier League Cups and another two Women’s FA Cups.
In 2003, she was the bedrock of a watertight Cottagers’ Treble-winning defence, conceding just 13 goals in 18 league games as they romped to their first top-tier championship title.
That same year, Mary became the first Black woman to captain the national side. The centre-half would also fulfil the leadership role during the Lionesses’ qualification run to the 2007 Women’s World Cup, before featuring in every game at the tournament in China.
Domestically, Phillip joined Arsenal in 2004, lining up alongside England counterpart Faye White in the heart of the Gunners’ defence. The move yielded yet more silverware: Arsenal won the title in each of Mary’s four seasons, as well as three more FA Cups, two Premier League Cups and the UEFA Women’s Cup in 2007, keeping a clean sheet across both legs.
After a brief stint at Chelsea, a 31-year-old Phillip hung up her boots, having won every major domestic honour. She moved into coaching thereafter, becoming manager of semi-professional side Peckham Town.
Principal clubs: Millwall Lionesses, Fulham, Arsenal
International caps: 65
Inducted: 2024