Lesley Higgs (née Shipp; born 25 October 1965)[1] is an English former international women's football goalkeeper. She appeared for England in the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals.[1]

Lesley Higgs
Personal information
Date of birth (1965-10-25) 25 October 1965 (age 60)
Place of birth England
Position Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Watford
Hemel Hempstead
Milton Keynes
Millwall Lionesses
1991–1994 Arsenal
1994–1997 Wembley
1997–2001 Arsenal
International career
England 16 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Higgs won her first Women's FA Cup when Millwall Lionesses beat Doncaster Belles 10 at Prenton Park in the 1991 final.[2]

While playing for Arsenal, Higgs was Player of the Match in the 1993 WFA Cup Final which Arsenal won 30.[3]

In 1995, Higgs was playing for Wembley Ladies. She played in goal during the 1997 FA Women's Cup final where Wembley were defeated 1–0 by Millwall Lionesses.[2][4] She left Wembley to rejoin Arsenal in the 1997 close season.[5] She was an unused substitute in the 2001 FA Women's Cup final as Arsenal defeated Fulham at Selhurst Park.[2]

International career

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Higgs went to the 1995 World Cup as deputy to regular England keeper Pauline Cope. With quarter-final qualification ensured after winning the first two group games, Higgs played in the final group game, a 32 win against Nigeria.[6]

She has England legacy number 81. The FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[7][8]

References

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  1. 1 2 "England:Lesley Higgs". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 Slegg Chris, Gregory Patricia (2021). A History of the Women's FA Cup Final. thehistorypress. ISBN 9780750996594.
  3. Sam Elliott (25 April 1993). "Football / Women's FA Cup Final: Arsenal on trail of the treble: Shipp stands firm as the Belles rue lack of a finishing touch: Sam Elliott reports from Oxford". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  4. "Cowgate Kestrels wing their way into the biggest week of their footballing lives boosted by a surprise international call-up for goalkeeper Linda Fryer". The Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 18 February 1995.
  5. Pete Davies (7 September 1997). "New Year for Belles of the ball". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  6. "Nigeria – England 2:3". FIFA. 10 June 1995. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  7. "England Player Legacy and Results Archive" (Press release). The Football Association. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  8. "England honour former Lionesses in 50th anniversary celebrations at Wembley". BBC Sport. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2025.