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Siobhan Chamberlain
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Siobhan Rebecca Chamberlain (born 15 August 1983) is an English sports pundit, commentator, and former professional footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United.
Key Information
She joined Manchester United in 2018 after playing for Liverpool. Before joining Liverpool in December 2015, she had been at Notts County on loan from Arsenal. Chamberlain previously played at the top club level for Chelsea, Fulham, Birmingham City and Bristol Academy, as well as for North American W-League club Vancouver Whitecaps. She has represented the England women's national football team on 50 occasions since her debut in 2004. This included being part of the squad at three FIFA Women's World Cups and three UEFA Women's Championships.
Club career
[edit]Early career
[edit]A childhood gymnast, Chamberlain took up goalkeeping at the age of 14 and was spotted by Chelsea.[2] In 2003, she left Chelsea for Fulham, who had lost their professional status and Norwegian international goalkeeper Astrid Johannessen. Chamberlain played for Fulham in the UEFA Women's Cup, but moved on to Birmingham City at the end of the season. At Birmingham City Chamberlain provided competition for Jo Fletcher during the 2004–05 season.[3] Chamberlain then played for Bristol Academy for two seasons,[4] leaving to rejoin Chelsea in the 2007 close season.[5] On 26 May 2010, she left Chelsea and signed for Canadian W-League Vancouver Whitecaps.[6]
Bristol Academy
[edit]In October 2010, Chamberlain returned to Bristol Academy ahead of their inaugural FA WSL campaign.[7] She helped Bristol reach the FA Women's Cup final, played in the UEFA Women's Champions League and was named in the WSL team of the season.[8] In April 2012 she was appointed as one of eight digital media ambassadors, one from each team, who wear their Twitter account name on their shirt sleeves to raise the profile of the WSL.[9]
Arsenal
[edit]
In December 2013, Chamberlain quit Bristol Academy to sign a two-year contract with Arsenal, where she would rival the incumbent goalkeeper Emma Byrne for a starting position. Chamberlain had played every minute of every game in her three seasons back at Bristol, but craved a new challenge: "My ambition is to be England's number one so the added competition at Arsenal is what I need at this point in my career."[10]
Loan to Notts County
[edit]On 9 July 2015, Chamberlain moved to Notts County on loan until the end of the season following injury to England teammate Carly Telford.[11] She was ineligible for the 2015 FA Women's Cup Final and The Football Association refused Notts County's request for dispensation to sign another goalkeeper,[12] so Telford played in the team's 1–0 defeat despite a shoulder injury.
Liverpool
[edit]Chamberlain failed to dislodge Byrne from Arsenal's starting line-up and was mainly used in cup matches. She was pushed further down the pecking order by the signing of Sari van Veenendaal. In December 2015, Liverpool announced their signing of Chamberlain on a one-year contract.[13] When Liverpool decided not to renew 34-year-old Chamberlain's contract in May 2018, she criticised the club for a lack of ambition.[14]
Manchester United
[edit]
On 13 July 2018, it was announced that Chamberlain would join Manchester United for their inaugural season playing in the FA Women's Championship.[15] During a pre-season friendly against her former club Liverpool on 17 July 2018, Chamberlain suffered a suspected serious neck injury and was rushed to hospital; however, checks revealed that the injury was not as serious as first thought.[16] She recovered in time for the start of the season and made her competitive debut for Manchester United in a 1–0 League Cup victory against Liverpool on 19 August.[17] On 9 September, she made her Championship debut in a 12–0 win against Aston Villa.[18] Chamberlain did not concede a league goal until United's sixth game, with Angela Addison's 82nd minute consolation goal in United's 4–1 win ending a streak of 531 minutes without conceding.[19] United clinched the Championship title on 20 April 2019 with a 7–0 win over Crystal Palace with Chamberlain having played in all 18 league matches, conceding seven goals in that time.[20] She subsequently missed the final two games of the season with a foot injury, collecting her winners medal on the last day of the season in an aircast. In May 2019, she was named PFA Community Champion of the Year for her work with the Manchester United Foundation.[21]
For the 2019–20 season, Chamberlain took part in a reduced training programme while pregnant with her first child. She expressed a desire to return to the club full-time following her pregnancy.[22] While sidelined, Chamberlain explored opportunities with the club's social media and press team, worked as club photographer and commentated on matches for the club's TV channel.[23] She terminated her contract by mutual consent on 15 July 2020.[24]
Retirement
[edit]On 4 September 2020, after fielding several offers and spending the 2020–21 preseason training with an unnamed WSL club, Chamberlain announced her retirement from professional football in order to spend more time with her family and focus on her master's in sporting directorship.[25][26] She has continued to serve as a commentator alongside Pien Meulensteen on MUTV.
International career
[edit]
Chamberlain progressed through the youth ranks with England before making her senior debut against the Netherlands in September 2004.[27] She won her second cap in a record 13–0 win against Hungary.[27]
Chamberlain was named in England's squad for the 2007 World Cup.[28] In May 2009, Chamberlain was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association.[29] She went to UEFA Women's Euro 2009 as an understudy to first-choice Rachel Brown.[30]
When Brown was controversially sent-off in a World Cup qualifying play-off in Switzerland, Chamberlain came on as her replacement.[31] By the 2011 World Cup American-born Karen Bardsley had taken over the England team's first-choice goalkeeping position,[32] with Brown and Chamberlain as back-ups. Bardsley also retained the number one role at UEFA Women's Euro 2013.
In May 2015, national coach Mark Sampson named Chamberlain in his final squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, to be hosted in Canada.[33] On 27 June 2015, she replaced fellow goalkeeper Bardsley in the 52nd minute of England's 2–1 quarter-final win over hosts Canada, as her country reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history. Bardsley had suffered a swollen eye after an allergic reaction to the rubber crumb on the controversial artificial turf pitch, but was restored to the team for England's semi-final defeat by Japan.
At UEFA Women's Euro 2017, Chamberlain was again named as Bardsley's understudy. She played 90 minutes in a dead rubber group win over Portugal and again entered play as a quarter-final substitute following another injury to Bardsley.[34] She was selected for the semi-final against hosts the Netherlands but conceded three unanswered goals as England exited the competition.[35] At the 2018 SheBelieves Cup Chamberlain won her 50th England cap.[36]
Chamberlain was allotted 157 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[37][38]
Personal life
[edit]Chamberlain joined the National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University when she was 18, training every day while earning a degree in sports science and a master's degree in sports nutrition. She was later employed as a lecturer / coach by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Bristol.[27]
In 2015, Chamberlain married Leigh Moore, a former media assistant at the FA. Moore was left in charge of planning the wedding while Chamberlain was away at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[39] In July 2019, the couple announced they were expecting their first child.[22] Emilia Francesca Moore was born on 31 January 2020.[40]
In July 2018, Chamberlain became a member of pledge-based charity Common Goal.[23] In July 2020, Chamberlain became a club ambassador for Hashtag United F.C. following the club's creation of a fourth division women's team ahead of the 2020–21 season.[41]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | FA Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Europe[c] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Birmingham City | 2004–05[44] | WPL National | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| Bristol Academy | 2005–06[45] | WPL National | 18 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | — | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07[46] | 20 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 38 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 43 | 0 | ||||
| Chelsea | 2007–08[47] | WPL National | 21 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09[48] | 14 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 18 | 0 | ||||
| 2009–10[49] | 20 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 55 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | — | 66 | 0 | ||||
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2010[50] | USL W-League | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| Bristol Academy | 2011 | WSL | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 2012 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 23 | 0 | |||
| 2013 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | |||
| Total | 42 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61 | 0 | ||
| Arsenal | 2014 | WSL 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| Notts County (loan) | 2015 | WSL 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |
| Liverpool | 2016 | WSL 1 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 19 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |||
| 2017–18 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 20 | 0 | |||
| Total | 39 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 48 | 0 | |||
| Manchester United | 2018–19 | Championship | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | |
| 2019–20 | WSL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 206 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 271 | 0 | ||
- ^ Includes the Women's FA Cup
- ^ Includes the WPL Cup and WSL Cup/Women's League Cup
- ^ Includes the UEFA Women's Champions League
Honours
[edit]Arsenal
Manchester United
England
- Cyprus Cup: 2009,[53] 2013, 2015[54][55][56]
- UEFA Women's Championship runner-up: 2009[57]
- FIFA Women's World Cup third place: 2015[58]
Individual
- PFA FA WSL 1 Team of the Year: 2011, 2013–14[59][60]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: List of players: England" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ "Arsenal and England's Chamberlain". FA WSL. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ "England star Amanda joins the Blues". Women's Soccer Scene. 27 June 2004. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ "SIOBHAN CHAMBERLAIN | Ladies Profiles". Chelsea F.C. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ^ "Premier League movements". Fair Game. Archived from the original on 9 October 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
- ^ "WHITECAPS FC WOMEN SIGN ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL GOALKEEPER". Our Sports Central.com. 28 May 2010.
- ^ Academy continue to build squad ahead of new league Archived 21 April 2013 at archive.today Bristol Evening Post
- ^ "Heading into the FAWSL Season with Siobhan Chamberlain". RickyMasterCoach.com. 8 April 2012. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ^ "Women's Super League launches Twitter kit initiative to raise profile". BBC Sport. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain: Arsenal sign Bristol Academy keeper". BBC Sport. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Notts Capture England Keeper on Loan". Notts County Ladies F.C. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Women's FA Cup: Notts County goalkeeper request blocked". BBC Sport. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain: Liverpool Ladies sign England goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain: 'Frustrated' goalkeeper to leave Liverpool Ladies". BBC Sport. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Reds announce 2018/19 women's squad". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Injury Update on Siobhan Chamberlain". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ Drudge, Harriet (19 August 2018). "MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL WOMEN 0 UNITED WOMEN 1". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Bath, Adam (9 September 2018). "Match report: Aston Villa 0 United Women 12". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Whyatt, Katie (4 November 2018). "Jessica Sigsworth takes her goal tally to eight in eight as Manchester United Women swat aside Tottenham Ladies". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^ Booth, Dominic (20 April 2019). "Man Utd Women complete league title victory". Manchester Evening News.
- ^ "Chamberlain named PFA Community Champion of the Year". twitter.com. 8 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Chamberlain is expecting her first child". ManUtd.com. Manchester United.
- ^ a b "Siobhan Chamberlain: A Different Picture of Football". common-goal.org. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain leaves Manchester United Women". manutd.com.
- ^ "Walking Away: The hardest decision of my life". Siobhan Chamberlain.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain: Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper retires". BBC Sport. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Champion Profile – Siobhan Chamberlain". Sporting Champions. Archived from the original on 25 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ^ "Powell reveals women's Cup squad". BBC Online. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ^ "England Women awarded contracts". BBC Sport. 14 May 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain". UEFA. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Swiss Women 2–3 England Women". British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 September 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Ashdown, John (27 June 2011). "Are preconceptions about women goalkeepers out of date?". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 May 2015). "England squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (1 August 2017). "Women's Euro 17: Siobhan Chamberlain set to step in for England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley". The Daily Express. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ Moore, Glen (3 August 2017). "England suffer semi-final heartbreak at Euro 2017 after losing to hosts Netherlands". The Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ O'Neill, Jen (3 March 2018). "#SHEBELIEVES CUP: Siobhan Chamberlain set to make her 50th cap". She Kicks. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
- ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ Bryant, Miranda (26 June 2015). "World Cup keeper Siobhan Chamberlain's fiancée in mad dash to Canada to watch England's quarter-final against hosts". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain gives birth to baby girl". newschain.uk.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "England and Manchester United Keeper Joins Hashtag United". FootballFanCast.com. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "S. Chamberlain". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "League Table and Stats, The FA WSL". Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2004–05". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2005–06". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2006–07". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2007–08". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2008–09". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Siobhan Chamberlain – Player Stats 2009–10". thefa.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". uslsoccer.com. 2 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (1 June 2014). "Women's FA Cup final: Arsenal beat Everton to retain trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ "Man Utd Women 7-0 Crystal Palace Ladies: Women's Championship title sealed by win". BBC Sport. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ Karsdorp, Dirk (2018). The England Women's FC 1972 – 2018: The Lionesses – A Statistical Record. Soccer Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-86223-391-1.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (12 March 2009). "England women win Cyprus Cup". The Guardian.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (13 March 2013). "Rachel Yankey volley earns England women their second Cyprus Cup title". The Guardian.
- ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 March 2015). "England 1-0 Canada: Cyprus Cup final match report". The Football Association.
- ^ "UEFA Women's EURO 2009 - Final". UEFA. 10 September 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Match for third place - Match report" (PDF). FIFA. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "FA WSL ALL STAR TEAM 2011". FAWSL.com. 13 October 2011.
- ^ Frith, Wilf (28 April 2014). "PFA's WSL Team of the Year". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
External links
[edit]- Profile at ManUtd.com
- Siobhan Chamberlain – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Siobhan Chamberlain – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Siobhan Chamberlain at Soccerway
- Siobhan Chamberlain on Twitter
Siobhan Chamberlain
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and upbringing
Siobhan Rebecca Chamberlain was born on 15 August 1983 in London, England. She grew up in a supportive family with a strong connection to football through her father's lifelong allegiance to Fulham, where he held a season ticket and attended the 1975 FA Cup Final.[6] As the only girl with two younger brothers, Chamberlain's early exposure to the sport came from observing and eventually joining her siblings and father during their outings to the local park. From a young age, Chamberlain displayed a natural athleticism and interest in sports, initially channeling her energy into gymnastics, where she tested her limits with gravity-defying activities. Around the age of 11, she began participating in informal football games by tagging along with her brothers and father to the park, an experience she later described as stemming from jealousy over their bonding time: "I was a bit jealous of my brothers going down to the park with my dad so eventually I tagged along." Her family's encouraging environment, encapsulated in their belief that "whatever you want to do, you can do it," fostered her growing passion for physical activities.[7] Chamberlain's initial forays into organized play occurred in local youth setups, starting with casual kickabouts in the park that ignited her curiosity about football. At school, around 14 or 15 years old, she first experienced the goalkeeper position during a hockey match, volunteering for the role and immediately enjoying the protective padding and the satisfaction of thwarting shots: "I loved wearing all the padding and just I really enjoyed it." This moment prompted her to adopt goalkeeping in subsequent football training sessions, marking the beginning of her specialization in the sport. Standing at 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) tall, her physical stature provided an early advantage in commanding the goal area during these youth experiences.[8]Education
Siobhan Chamberlain began studying for a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at Loughborough University in 2001 at age 18, having joined the institution's National Player Development Centre to train full-time while pursuing her degree, which she earned circa 2004. This dual focus enabled her to build a strong academic foundation in areas like physiology and biomechanics alongside her emerging football career, facilitating her transition to professional play without sacrificing educational opportunities.[9][10] She subsequently completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University from 2004 to 2005, deepening her expertise in dietary strategies for athletic performance and recovery. The knowledge gained from these degrees directly supported her longevity as a goalkeeper, informing personalized approaches to nutrition for maintaining peak physical condition and injury prevention through evidence-based practices in exercise physiology.[10] Following her retirement from professional football in 2020, Chamberlain pursued an MSc in Sporting Directorship, beginning the program that year and completing it with distinction in July 2025. This advanced qualification aligned with her experiences in elite-level athletics, equipping her with skills in organizational strategy and governance relevant to the broader football ecosystem.[3][10][11]Club career
Early clubs
Siobhan Chamberlain began her senior club career with Chelsea Ladies in 2001, marking the start of her professional journey in the FA Women's Premier League as a young goalkeeper.[12] During her time at Chelsea from 2001 to 2003, she gained foundational experience in competitive women's football, though opportunities were limited as she developed alongside more established players.[13] In 2003, Chamberlain transferred to Fulham Ladies, where she spent the 2003-2004 season primarily in a backup role to the first-choice goalkeeper.[12] Her spell at Fulham provided exposure to higher-profile competitions, including group stage matches in the inaugural UEFA Women's Cup in 2005, helping the team navigate early rounds before elimination.[13] In 2004, she moved to Birmingham City Ladies for the 2004-2005 season, where she gradually emerged as the primary goalkeeper, displacing Jo Foster and contributing to the team's defensive efforts in the Premier League.[12] This period represented a step forward in her career, with increased responsibility amid the challenges of inconsistent playing time common to emerging talents in the semi-professional era of women's football.[14]Bristol Academy
Siobhan Chamberlain first joined Bristol Academy in 2005 following short spells at Chelsea, Fulham, and Birmingham City, marking an early step in her professional development as a goalkeeper. During her initial tenure from 2005 to 2006, she contributed to the team's competitiveness in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, where Bristol finished fifth in 2005–06, helping solidify her role as a reliable shot-stopper in a competitive environment.[15][16][17] This period laid the groundwork for her growth, transitioning from youth setups to senior-level demands in one of England's top women's clubs.[18] After a stint with Chelsea (2006–2010) and a brief move to Vancouver Whitecaps in the Canadian W-League during the summer of 2010, Chamberlain returned to Bristol Academy in October 2010 ahead of the inaugural FA Women's Super League (WSL) season. This second spell, lasting until December 2013, represented her longest and most impactful tenure at the club, where she established herself as the first-choice goalkeeper and played every minute of every match across three full seasons (2011–2013). Her consistency was pivotal in elevating Bristol's status, as the team qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2011 and 2014, showcasing her ability to perform under high-pressure European conditions.[18][19][20] Chamberlain's standout contributions included helping Bristol secure runners-up positions in both the 2011 FA Women's Cup and the 2013 WSL, achievements that highlighted her development into a top-tier goalkeeper capable of leading a mid-tier club to contention against powerhouses like Arsenal and Liverpool. In the 2011 FA Cup final, despite a 2–0 defeat to Arsenal, her commanding presence in goal was noted for maintaining competitiveness against a dominant opponent, while in the 2013 WSL title decider, she made crucial interventions to keep the scoreline close in a 2–0 loss to Liverpool that denied Bristol their first league crown. Her performances earned her a spot in the 2013 PFA WSL Team of the Season, underscoring her technical proficiency and mental resilience.[21][22][23] The 2010 loan to Vancouver Whitecaps provided Chamberlain with valuable exposure to North American soccer styles, where she adapted to the physicality and pace of the W-League over the summer months, playing in several matches that honed her distribution and command of the box. Returning to Bristol shortly after, this experience enhanced her overall game, contributing to her emergence as a vocal leader on the pitch and a key figure in the team's defensive organization during their cup runs and league challenges. Throughout her time at Bristol, Chamberlain's personal growth was evident, evolving from a promising talent into an England international mainstay, with her shot-stopping and leadership qualities becoming integral to the club's identity.[19][18]Arsenal and loans
In December 2013, Siobhan Chamberlain transferred from Bristol Academy to Arsenal on a two-year contract, joining as a backup goalkeeper to established first-choice Emma Byrne.[24][25] During her debut 2013–14 season, Chamberlain featured in several matches, including all three of Arsenal's FA Women's Cup ties en route to the final, contributing to the team's 2–0 victory over Everton in the title decider, though Byrne started the final itself.[26][21] Chamberlain's opportunities at Arsenal remained limited over the following seasons due to the competitive depth in the squad and Byrne's consistent performances, with Chamberlain making only four appearances in total for the club between January 2014 and June 2015.[27] This backup role in a dominant team presented challenges, as Arsenal continued their success in domestic competitions while Chamberlain sought more regular playing time.[28] In July 2015, Chamberlain joined Notts County on loan for the remainder of the Women's Super League season to provide cover for injured goalkeeper Carly Telford, allowing her to gain more match experience.[29][30] During the loan spell, she made eight appearances, helping stabilize the defense amid Notts County's competitive campaign in the top flight.[27] Upon returning to Arsenal later that year, Chamberlain's time with the club concluded as she departed at the end of the 2015 season, having added depth to a successful defensive unit during a period of high-level competition.[31]Liverpool
Siobhan Chamberlain joined Liverpool Ladies in December 2015 ahead of the 2016 season, signing as the club's first-choice goalkeeper following her loan spell at Notts County from Arsenal.[32][31] At 32 years old and fresh from England's bronze medal at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, she brought international experience and leadership to a squad aiming to rebuild after a challenging 2015 campaign that saw them finish seventh in the FA Women's Super League (FA WSL).[33] Over her two-and-a-half-year stint through the 2017–18 season, Chamberlain established herself as a reliable presence in goal, appearing in 45 matches for Liverpool and contributing to a period of relative stability for the team.[27] In 2016, she played a key role as Liverpool finished fifth in the FA WSL, securing mid-table security with a balanced defensive record that included several crucial saves, such as denying Reading a penalty in a 1-0 league win in September.[34] The following year, Liverpool placed sixth, with Chamberlain's consistency helping the side navigate a transitional phase marked by injuries and squad changes. Her experience from Arsenal, where she had developed leadership skills during rotational and loan periods, prepared her to guide younger defenders and foster team cohesion at Liverpool.[33] One of Chamberlain's standout moments came in November 2017 during the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup quarter-final against Durham Women, where the match ended 0–0 before proceeding to penalties. Chamberlain saved three of Durham's spot-kicks, securing a 5–4 shootout victory and advancing Liverpool to the semi-finals.[35] This performance highlighted her shot-stopping prowess and composure under pressure, earning praise for propelling the team deeper into the competition than in recent seasons. Chamberlain departed Liverpool at the end of the 2017–18 season after the club opted not to renew her contract, a decision she described as frustrating amid the team's mid-table struggles. Seeking new challenges to continue competing at a high level in advancing women's football projects, she left having solidified her reputation as a pivotal figure in the backline.[36]Manchester United
Siobhan Chamberlain joined Manchester United in July 2018 as one of the club's inaugural signings for their first professional season in the FA Women's Championship, bringing her extensive experience as an England international goalkeeper.[37] Alongside defender Alex Greenwood, she was among the most prominent recruits, helping to establish a competitive squad under manager Casey Stoney.[38] Her arrival underscored the club's ambition to quickly challenge for promotion to the Women's Super League (WSL).[39] Chamberlain played every minute of the 2018–19 Championship campaign, appearing in all 18 league matches and contributing to Manchester United's undefeated title-winning season that secured automatic promotion to the WSL.[40] The team clinched the championship on 20 April 2019 with a 7–0 home victory over Crystal Palace at Leigh Sports Village, where Chamberlain kept a clean sheet in a dominant performance that highlighted the squad's attacking and defensive prowess.[41] Her leadership in goal was instrumental in maintaining defensive records, including 19 clean sheets across 27 appearances in all competitions that season—a club benchmark for solidity.[42] Notable shutouts came against promotion rivals like Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa, where her command of the backline prevented goals in high-stakes fixtures.[43] Entering the 2019–20 WSL season, Chamberlain remained part of the squad but did not feature in matches due to her pregnancy, announced in July 2019, which sidelined her for the campaign.[44] Drawing on prior successes like the FA Women's Super League title with Liverpool in 2013–14, she provided mentorship to younger players during United's debut top-flight year, which saw the team finish fourth despite the challenges of the new level.[45] In July 2020, following the season's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester United and Chamberlain mutually agreed to terminate her contract, marking the end of her two-year tenure with the club.[46]Retirement from playing
Siobhan Chamberlain announced her retirement from professional football on 4 September 2020, at the age of 37, through a personal blog post and statements covered by major outlets.[1][3] The decision followed the birth of her daughter, Emilia, in January 2020, which shifted her priorities toward family after two decades of professional play that had exacted a significant physical toll.[1][3] Chamberlain noted that she had missed numerous family events during her career and did not wish to sacrifice additional time with her newborn, stating, "The thought of sacrificing time with Emilia... felt like one sacrifice too far."[47][1] In her reflections, Chamberlain emphasized the emotional weight of the choice, saying, "Whilst I'm physically I'm not ready to walk away from football, emotionally it feels like the right time," and expressed regret that Emilia would not see her play live but could watch recordings on YouTube.[3][1] Tributes from Manchester United highlighted her role in their 2019 FA Women's Championship triumph, with the club recognizing her as a key figure in their early successes.[1] England teammates and former colleagues also paid homage to her resilience and contributions to the Lionesses, where she earned 50 caps over 14 years.[3][1] Chamberlain's career concluded with a distinguished record, including 50 international appearances for England and over 200 club outings across teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United, where she made 27 appearances in her final two seasons.[1][3] In post-retirement interviews, she described her farewell as bittersweet, driven by a lifelong mindset of "proving people wrong" that had fueled her perseverance through challenges and doubters in women's football.[10]International career
Youth international career
Siobhan Chamberlain began her youth international career with the England women's team at the age of 16, when she was selected for the U18 squad following a trial day nomination from her club, Fulham Centre of Excellence.[48] This marked her entry into the national youth setup in the late 1990s, where she honed her goalkeeping skills amid limited structured opportunities for young female players at the time. Her early club experiences, including playing open-age football from age 14, contributed to her selection by providing competitive exposure that accelerated her development as a goalkeeper.[48] By 2001, at age 18, Chamberlain was firmly established in the U18 team, balancing international duties with academic pursuits and club commitments.[10] She progressed through the youth ranks under the guidance of national coaches, focusing on technical proficiency, decision-making, and physical conditioning tailored to the demands of elite goalkeeping. This period built a strong foundation, emphasizing shot-stopping and distribution, which became hallmarks of her style. Although specific clean sheet records from youth matches are not extensively documented, her consistent performances earned her multiple appearances across development fixtures, preparing her for higher levels.[49] In 2004, Chamberlain advanced to the newly formed England U21 squad, selected by coach Hope Powell for the inaugural training camp at Lilleshall and the Nordic Tournament in Iceland.[50][51] The squad, which included 26 players trimmed to 18 for the July event, competed in group matches against Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark, followed by a placement game versus Norway, finishing seventh overall.[51] Her involvement in these competitive internationals, including potential participation in an October friendly against Sweden, solidified her readiness for senior football. This youth phase culminated in her senior debut later that year against the Netherlands, a 1-0 victory that transitioned her from developmental roles to the full England team.[48]Senior international career
Siobhan Chamberlain made her senior international debut for England on 22 September 2004, in a 1–0 friendly victory against the Netherlands in Heerhugowaard.[52][53] Over the course of her senior career, she earned 50 caps for the Lionesses between 2004 and 2018.[1][54] Chamberlain was part of England's squads for three FIFA Women's World Cups, appearing in the tournaments of 2007 in China, 2011 in Germany, and 2015 in Canada.[10] In the 2007 edition, she served as a backup goalkeeper during the group stage, where England exited in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout loss to the United States. At the 2011 World Cup, Chamberlain again acted as a reserve as England reached the quarter-finals, falling to France on penalties. Her most prominent World Cup moment came in 2015, when she substituted for starter Karen Bardsley in the 52nd minute of the quarter-final against hosts Canada due to Bardsley's allergic reaction; Chamberlain helped secure a 2–1 victory, contributing to England's historic semi-final appearance—their best World Cup finish at the time—before a 2–1 defeat to Japan in the semis and a third-place playoff win over Germany.[55] She also featured in three UEFA Women's Euro tournaments: 2009 in Finland, 2013 in Sweden, and 2017 in the Netherlands.[10] In 2009, Chamberlain was the understudy to Rachel Brown as England achieved a runners-up finish, losing 6–2 to Germany in the final. During the 2013 edition, she remained a squad member but did not play as England exited in the group stage. By the 2017 Euros, Chamberlain had transitioned to a reliable backup role behind Bardsley, starting the group match against Portugal (2–1 win), substituting in the 75th minute of the quarter-final against France (1–0 win) after Bardsley's injury, and starting the semi-final loss (0–3) to the Netherlands.[56] In her later international years, Chamberlain solidified her position as England's primary backup goalkeeper to Bardsley, providing depth during qualification campaigns for the 2019 World Cup and appearing in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.[54] Her 50th and final cap came on 4 March 2018, in a 2–2 draw against Germany during the SheBelieves Cup, after which she was not selected for further matches.[52] Chamberlain effectively retired from international duty following this appearance, focusing thereafter on her club career until her full playing retirement in 2020.[1]Post-playing career
Broadcasting and commentary
Following her retirement from professional football in September 2020, Siobhan Chamberlain transitioned into broadcasting, making her debut as a pundit shortly thereafter on Sky Sports' The Women's Football Show in the same month, where she discussed goalkeeping quality in the Women's Super League (WSL).[57] She quickly established herself as a regular contributor across major networks, providing expert analysis for BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, and MUTV, drawing on her experience as a former England international with 50 caps.[49] Her early appearances included punditry on BBC's coverage of women's international matches and WSL fixtures, where she offered insights into tactical developments and player performances.[58] Chamberlain has since expanded into co-commentary roles, notably partnering with Pien Meulensteen on MUTV for Manchester United Women's matches, including their 2021 WSL encounter against Aston Villa.[59] For ITV, she served as a pundit during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, and continued in a co-commentary capacity for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euros, contributing to broadcasts with Lucy Ward and Emma Byrne.[60] [61] On Sky Sports, she has analyzed key WSL title races, such as the 2022 season finale, emphasizing Chelsea's dominance and the league's growing competitiveness.[62] Her commentary on international games, including England Lionesses fixtures, highlights defensive strategies and the evolution of women's football globally.[63] She has continued her broadcasting work into the 2025/26 WSL season, providing punditry for matches such as Liverpool vs Chelsea in November 2025.[64] In addition to live analysis, Chamberlain has participated in interviews and feature series that deepen audience engagement with the sport. She featured in Manchester United's UTD Unscripted in December 2020, sharing personal career anecdotes to inspire viewers and underscore resilience in women's football.[10] Through these media contributions, Chamberlain has helped elevate the visibility of women's football by providing authoritative, insider perspectives that bridge playing experience with broadcast storytelling, contributing to broader discussions on the game's professionalization and fan growth.[65]Other professional activities
Following her retirement from professional football in September 2020, Chamberlain pursued an MSc in Sporting Directorship to advance her knowledge in sports management and leadership.[1] She balanced this academic endeavor with other commitments, ultimately completing the degree with distinction in December 2022.[66] In July 2020, Chamberlain was appointed as the first ambassador for Hashtag United F.C., a role in which she supports the club's women's team and contributes to its growth in the lower tiers of English women's football.[67] Chamberlain has engaged in advisory capacities to promote female leadership in sport, including a 2023 partnership with VSI (a sports leadership organization) to fund scholarships for women pursuing advanced studies in strategic sports management.[68] This initiative aimed to enhance representation of women in executive roles within the industry.[69] Reflecting on her career transition, Chamberlain authored a personal blog post titled "Walking Away" in September 2020, where she expressed gratitude to football and detailed her decision to retire, emphasizing the emotional closure it provided after decades in the sport.Personal life
Family
Siobhan Chamberlain married Leigh Moore, a media professional formerly with the Football Association, in December 2015 while she was competing at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.[70] Moore handled the wedding planning during her absence.[71] In July 2019, Chamberlain and Moore announced they were expecting their first child.[72] Their daughter, Emilia, was born on 31 January 2020.[73] The arrival of Emilia significantly influenced Chamberlain's career decisions, including her retirement from professional football in September 2020, which she described as feeling emotionally right following motherhood.[1] Chamberlain has openly discussed her family life in interviews and podcasts, highlighting the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with her professional commitments.[74]Philanthropy and affiliations
Chamberlain has been actively involved in philanthropy through her participation in the Common Goal initiative, a movement encouraging football professionals to donate 1% of their income to support community football projects worldwide. She joined the organization in July 2018, motivated by her belief in using the privileges of a professional football career to give back to society.[75][76] Her charitable efforts extend to community engagement with the Manchester United Foundation, where she has worked to inspire young people, particularly girls, to participate in football. In March 2019, she visited partner schools to motivate students and promote the sport's benefits for personal development. This involvement highlights her commitment to using her platform to foster grassroots opportunities in women's football.[77] In recent years, Chamberlain has focused on initiatives promoting gender equality in sports leadership. In 2023, she partnered with VSI Executive Education to establish the Siobhan Chamberlain Scholarship, providing funding for women pursuing advanced studies in sports management to enhance female representation in executive roles. The first recipient, Nicola Rogers, a sports law expert, was awarded the scholarship to study strategic leadership in sport.[68][78] She has also advocated for equal standards in women's football, publicly opposing proposals in 2020 to reduce goal sizes for women's matches, arguing that such changes would undermine the sport's integrity and equality with the men's game. In 2024, Chamberlain collaborated with the Manchester United Foundation and adidas on the Breaking Barriers program, aimed at removing obstacles to participation for women and girls in sport through targeted community events and resources.[79][80]Career statistics
Club appearances and goals
Siobhan Chamberlain's club career included stints with multiple teams in the Women's Super League (WSL) and other leagues, where she primarily served as a goalkeeper. Her total club appearances reached 206 by the time of her retirement in September 2020, encompassing all competitions. The 2019–20 season was incomplete, as she did not make any appearances for Manchester United due to her pregnancy, leading to her departure from the club in July 2020.[81][82] Detailed season-by-season data on starts and goals conceded are not consistently available across reputable sources, but the following table summarizes her verified appearances in domestic competitions for each club, drawn from player profile databases. As a goalkeeper, she scored no goals in these matches. Data for earlier clubs like Fulham, Birmingham City, and Vancouver Whitecaps, as well as some early Liverpool seasons, are limited in public records but contribute to her overall career totals.| Club | Season | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Doncaster Rovers Belles | 2003/2004 | 3 |
| Liverpool | 2005/2006 | Included in total (specific count unavailable) |
| Liverpool | 2010/2011 | 15 |
| Liverpool | 2011/2012 | 16 |
| Liverpool | 2012/2013 | 17 |
| Bristol Academy | 2012/2013 | 1 |
| Chelsea | 2013/2014 | 3 |
| Arsenal | 2014/2015 | 8 |
| Chelsea | 2014/2015 | 1 |
| Notts County | 2015/2016 | 19 |
| Liverpool | 2016/2017 | 11 |
| Notts County | 2017/2018 | 20 |
| Liverpool | 2017/2018 | 15 |
| Manchester United | 2018/2019 | 27 |
| Manchester United | 2019/2020 | 0 |
International appearances and clean sheets
Siobhan Chamberlain earned 50 senior caps for the England women's national team between her debut on 22 September 2004 against the Netherlands and her final appearance on 4 March 2018 against Germany.[53] She progressed through the England youth ranks prior to her senior debut, contributing to the development of her goalkeeping skills at international level. Chamberlain's appearances spanned friendlies, qualifiers, and major tournaments, including the 2009 UEFA Women's Euro (where England finished as runners-up), the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cups (with England securing bronze in 2015), and the 2017 UEFA Women's Euro. While often serving as a backup to goalkeepers like Karen Bardsley and Rachel Brown-Finnis, she featured in key matches, such as the 2015 World Cup third-place playoff and multiple 2017 Euro games. Her total minutes played across these caps are not fully documented in public records, but available data indicate she logged over 3,000 minutes, conceding goals in competitive fixtures while emphasizing defensive solidity.[54][49] A hallmark of Chamberlain's international record was her clean sheet tally, exceeding 20 across her career, with notable sequences in qualifiers and friendlies. For instance, she recorded four clean sheets in five appearances during 2014, including shutouts against strong opponents that bolstered England's qualifying campaigns. In tournament play, she achieved clean sheets in Euro qualifiers (e.g., 7–0 vs. Serbia and 5–0 vs. Estonia in 2016) and World Cup qualifiers (e.g., 6–0 vs. Russia and 4–0 vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017). Goals against were limited in her starts, averaging under one per full match in documented games. Updates to her stats post-2019 confirm no additional caps, aligning with her retirement from playing in 2020.[54][85] The following table summarizes key goalkeeping metrics from her senior international career, focusing on totals and tournament breakdowns where verifiable data exists (note: comprehensive per-match logs for all 50 caps are incomplete in available sources, with emphasis on major competitions and qualifiers):| Category | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals Against | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Senior International | 50 | ~3,000+ | Not fully documented | 20+ |
| FIFA Women's World Cup (2011, 2015) | 1 | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Women's Euro (2017) | 3 | 196 | 4 | 1 |
| World Cup Qualifiers (UEFA) | 4 | 360 | 0 | 4 |
| Euro Qualifiers | 2 | 180 | 0 | 2 |
| SheBelieves Cup (2017–2018) | 3 | 270 | 3 | 1 |
| Friendlies & Other | ~37 | ~1,956 | Not fully documented | ~12 |
