Joanne Broadhurst (born 27 November 1967) is an English football coach and former player. As an attacking midfielder or forward she represented England at full international level. Broadhurst also played for English clubs Doncaster Belles, Arsenal and Croydon/Charlton Athletic.

Joanne Broadhurst
Personal information
Date of birth (1967-11-27) 27 November 1967 (age 56)
Place of birth Sheffield
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Position(s) Midfielder, forward
Youth career
1979–1987 Sheffield FC Ladies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1995 Doncaster Belles
1995–1997 Arsenal
1997–2000 Croydon
2000–2001 Doncaster Belles
2001–2006 Charlton Athletic
2008–2009 Rotherham United
International career
1984–1998 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Club career

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Broadhurst began playing for Sheffield FC Ladies, coached by her father Brian, at age 12. She moved to Doncaster Belles at 18 after studying Leisure and Recreation at college and spending a summer working for Pontin's. While playing for the all-conquering Belles, Broadhurst worked as a forklift truck driver for Royal Doulton in Stoke.

As a playmaker, Broadhurst was a key component of the side which wrested the League title back from Arsenal and completed a domestic double in 1994. Belles manager Paul Edmunds said of Broadhurst "the more she gets the ball, the better we play."[1]

In 1995 Broadhurst moved to Arsenal and was given a job in the club's mail order department.[2] In summer 1996 she underwent surgery on a knee injury,[3] but finished the season as top goalscorer.[4]

"I used to play hockey as well as football so the teachers used to try and make me play hockey instead. They said that I should choose to play hockey because with football I wouldn't get anywhere... they just said women had nowhere to go in football."

– Broadhurst in 1991[5]

By 1997–98 Broadhurst was playing for Croydon, scoring the opening goal in a 3–2 defeat to Arsenal in that season's FA Women's Cup final.[6] Croydon won a League and Cup double in 2000, clinched when they beat Aston Villa 6–0 to win the league. Broadhurst scored twice in that game.[7] When Croydon came under the auspices of Charlton Athletic, Broadhurst returned to Doncaster Belles.[8] However, she was back with Charlton in 2001–02.[9]

From 2003–2005 Broadhurst featured in three successive FA Women's Cup finals with Charlton. She played in a 3–0 loss to the professionals of Fulham in May 2003,[10] then in another defeat—again 3–0—to former club Arsenal the following year.[11] In 2005 Broadhurst was on the winning side as Charlton beat Everton 1–0 at Upton Park.[12] It was Broadhurst's eleventh appearance in the domestic women's game's showpiece event.[13]

Broadhurst retired after hitting the winning goal as Charlton reserves beat Millwall Lionesses 3–2 in the 2006 Kent County Cup final.[14]

International career

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Broadhurst made her England debut aged 16.[13] Manager Martin Reagan called–up Broadhurst for the Mundialito tournament in August 1984 and handed her a first cap against hosts Italy.

Along with Kirsty Pealling, Broadhurst was controversially dropped from the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup squad, with manager Ted Copeland saying "They are not international footballers at this level."[15]

Copeland had first excluded Broadhurst in August 1994 after taking exception to an interview Broadhurst and Mandy Lowe gave to The Guardian. "He only picks boring bastards, he doesn't like personality. So what can I do?"[16] was Broadhurst's response.

Broadhurst was later recalled by Copeland and scored a hat-trick against Scotland in March 1997.[17]

She was allotted 67 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.[18][19]

Coaching career

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In 2012 Broadhurst joined Liverpool Ladies as an assistant coach.[20]

Personal life

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At the Sheffield Star Football Awards in August 2021, Broadhurst received the posthumous "Pioneer of Women's Football Award" bestowed upon her partner Julie Chipchase.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Davies, Pete (1996). I Lost My Heart to the Belles. London: Mandarin. p. 50. ISBN 0-7493-2085-0.
  2. ^ Amanda Ward and Claire Raymond (4 April 1997). "Article: FEMALE FANS FLOCK THROUGH THE TURNSTILES AS FEVER PITCH HITS BIG SCREEN.(Features)". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 November 2010.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Pete Davies (1 September 1996). "Season to attract crowds for Arsenal's ladies man". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  4. ^ Pete Davies (7 September 1997). "Football: New year for Belles of the ball". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  5. ^ Ann Clark and Elaine Millard (1998). Gender in the secondary curriculum: balancing the books. Routledge. ISBN 9780415167024. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  6. ^ Adam Szreter (5 May 1998). "Women's Football: Another trophy for the Gunners". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  7. ^ Simon Burnton (8 May 2000). "Gallant Calais deprived by controversial penalty". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  8. ^ Sue Thearle (5 February 2001). "Charlton's Bonus chance". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  9. ^ Tony Leighton (9 December 2001). "Leeds comeback thwarts Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  10. ^ "Fulham Ladies bag cup". BBC. 5 May 2003. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  11. ^ Tony Leighton (3 May 2004). "Arsenal lift Women's Cup". TheFA.com. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  12. ^ Tony Leighton (3 May 2005). "Third time lucky". TheFA.com. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  13. ^ a b Clare Balding (2 May 2004). "Big up for the distaff side of the game". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
  14. ^ R.A.W. Rhodes (2011). Everyday Life in British Government. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-960114-1. 'My favourite driver was Jo Broadhurst who played for Charlton Athletic women's football team (known as the Addicks).'
    'She was a member of the Addicks team that won the Nationwide Women's Premier League Cup Final in March 2004, their first major trophy. They then went on to win the FA Cup in 2005. She was fun to talk to and her elation over the Addicks recent victory was infectious.'
    'She retired in style two years later. She scored the winning goal as Charlton's women's team reserves lifted the Kent County Cup in a 3-2 victory against Millwall. I am sure she was happy with her status as "veteran midfielder"'.
  15. ^ Mike Rowbottom (6 June 1995). "Women boldly go where no men have been of late". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  16. ^ Davies, Pete (1996). I Lost My Heart to the Belles. London: Mandarin. p. 96. ISBN 0-7493-2085-0.
  17. ^ "Scots in six-goal sickener". Daily Record. 10 May 1997. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  18. ^ "England squad named for World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  19. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  20. ^ "Liverpool Ladies complete their backroom team". Liverpool Ladies FC. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  21. ^ Jones, Steve (3 August 2021). "All the winners at The Star's Football Awards, including Neil Warnock, Valerien Ismael and Barry Bannan". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
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