NewsKerry Davis inducted into National Football Museum Hall of Fame

Davis – who was England Women’s first ever black player – spent time with the Reds’ women’s side in 1994 during a career that also included spells at Crewe Alexandra Ladies, Roi Lazio, Trani 80, Napoli and Croydon Women.

Her international career with the Lionesses lasted an incredible 16 years, beginning in 1982 and ending in 1998.

She earned 82 caps and scored 44 goals for her country, along the way helping them to the inaugural 1984 UEFA Championships final and to a first FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 1995.

Davis was inducted into the Hall of Fame during the final day of the Football Writing Festival on November 10 at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Judges voted unanimously to induct Kerry in recognition of her ground-breaking football career and pioneering successes as the first female black professional footballer to play for England.

“I’m feeling very proud to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame,” she said. “It was a lovely surprise and a great feeling. I feel really honoured to be in there amongst some of the biggest and most important names in football.”

Tim Desmond, chief executive of the National Football Museum, added: “In 2019 we relaunched the National Football Museum Hall of Fame to be more representative of our women footballers both past and present.

“As the museum researched the stories around the women’s game for our exhibitions and programmes, more and more legends have come to the fore.

“We are delighted now to induct Kerry into the Hall of Fame; she is truly a pioneer and now takes her rightful place amongst the greats of both the women’s and the men’s game.”