128-587: Leah Cathrine Williamson OBE (born 29 March 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays for Women's Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women's national team . A versatile player, she plays in central defence or the midfield . She has spent her entire senior domestic career at Arsenal. She also represented Great Britain at the Olympics in 2021. Williamson captained England to their first UEFA European Championship victory, and
256-498: A Stonewall rainbow armband throughout the 2022 Euro in support of LGBTQ+ rights . Because of controversies relating to the 2022 Men's World Cup , Williamson said that while she would still "support the boys [she has not] got any interest in it as a fan really this year, which is sad." The day after England triumphed at the 2022 Euros , the team wrote an open letter to Tory leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss requesting government support for girls to receive two hours
384-552: A lower-tier men's side . Arsenal , Chelsea , Liverpool , Manchester City , Manchester United , and Tottenham Hotspur combined had spent a total of £123.6 million on their women's sides from the league's founding in 2011 to the 2022–23 season. A report in The Telegraph compared this spending to the £186 million those clubs' spent on agents' fees for men's player transactions from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023. Those clubs spent £33 million on their women's sides over
512-435: A 4–0 win at Bristol City on 28 October, in which Williamson assisted Jordan Nobbs for one of the goals, he commented positively on her performance. Arsenal won their first nine games and went into the match with Manchester City six points clear of their title rivals; however, they lost 2–0 amid an injury crisis. Two games later, on Williamson's 100th Arsenal appearance, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea allowed Manchester City to move
640-413: A Club Development Fund should limit any financial "imbalance" between clubs. However, the introduction of a genuine salary cap remained under consideration for 2013 and beyond. Doncaster manager John Buckley revealed that his club lost Rachel Williams and other players to Birmingham City because he was working to a budget eight times smaller than that enjoyed by Birmingham. When the 2012 WPS season
768-543: A GBE (in recognition of his role as chairman of the Scottish War Savings Committee) and the award of medal of the order to Lizzie Robinson, a munitions worker. The order had been established primarily as a civilian award; in August 1918, however, not long after its foundation, a number of awards were made to serving naval and military personnel. Four months later, a 'Military Division' was added to
896-511: A brand". Barclays renewed the sponsorship with an additional three-year deal on 15 December 2021, doubled its rights fee, and extended its sponsorship to the FA Women's Championship . The league's lead sponsor from 2012 to 2019 was Continental Tyres. Continental sponsored the FA's new commercial programme from 2014 to 2018 including the England women's national football team , FA Women's Cup and
1024-404: A broad riband or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Knights Commander and male Commanders wear the badge from a ribbon around the neck; male Officers and Members wear the badge from a ribbon on the left chest; female recipients other than Dames Grand Cross (unless in military uniform) normally wear it from a bow on the left shoulder. An oval eight-pointed star is worn, pinned to
1152-553: A burning building containing explosives. In December 1922 the statutes of the order were amended; there having been a large number of awards for war work prior to this date, these amended statutes placed the order on more of a peacetime footing. For the first time numbers of appointments were limited, with the stipulation that senior awards in the Civil Division were to outnumber those in the Military Division by
1280-523: A centre back with the way we play. Under Joe we want to play out from the back and that suits my qualities. At the minute I am enjoying playing at centre half, but I’m open minded about what the future holds." Towards the end of the season, Williamson reflected on the season since Montemurro took over, "I feel like since Joe came in we’re back on a journey again, we had lost that a little bit. Despite today, I feel like we’re building something. But pretty much every game we have played since around November has been
1408-453: A circlet bearing the motto of the Order; the reverse bears George V's Royal and Imperial Cypher. (Prior to 1937 Britannia was shown within the circlet.) The size of the badges varies according to rank: the higher classes have slightly larger badges. The badges of Knights and Dames Grand Cross, Knights and Dames Commander, and Commanders are enamelled, with pale blue crosses, crimson circlets and
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#17327940884171536-466: A citizen of a Commonwealth realm can convert their appointment from honorary to substantive, and they then enjoy all privileges of membership of the order, including use of the title of Sir and Dame for the senior two ranks of the Order. (An example of the latter is Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan , who was appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Order in 2005, and on successful application for British citizenship, held alongside his Irish citizenship,
1664-443: A gold central medallion. Officers' badges are plain silver-gilt, while those of Members are plain silver. From 1917 until 1937, the badge of the order was suspended on a purple ribbon, with a red central stripe being added for the military division in 1918. Since 1937, the ribbon has been rose-pink with pearl-grey edges (with the addition of a pearl-grey central stripe for the military division). Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear it on
1792-425: A lot of trophies in the past and we wanted to keep winning silverware for the club. Even with the younger players in the squad we all thought we have got to win, the morale was certainly high before the game. Last year’s final was always in the back of our mind and we know how good a side City can be. After going 1–0 up it was all about defending which we managed to do and it was a great result for us. I think we can win
1920-414: A must win game and that takes its toll emotionally. In every single game we have known no less than a win will do, in the league and in the cups." On 14 October 2018, Arsenal laid down a marker in their title challenge with a 5–0 thrashing of champions Chelsea , inflicting a first home defeat on the champions since July 2016. Joe Montemurro began utilizing Williamson on the right of a back three and after
2048-482: A new one-year contract with the club until the end of the 2021–22 season. On November 13 she suffered a signfificant hamstring injury in the match against Tottenham. Teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy dedicated her goal in the next game to Leah. She returned to play after two months. Just seven months after signing the one-year contract, in January 2022, she agreed to a prolonged contract with the club. Arsenal did not disclose
2176-424: A new record-breaking three-year domestic television rights deal with Sky Sports and BBC, beginning with the 2021–22 season. Sky would broadcast 44 matches per season with a further 22 matches shown on BBC platforms including a minimum of 18 on BBC One or Two. All other fixtures would remain available to stream for free on The FA Player, the governing body's own over OTT service. Believed to be worth around £8 million
2304-433: A penalty for her team in a qualifying match against Norway for the 2015 UEFA under-19 championship , which had been ordered to be retaken five days after the original contest. In an unprecedented decision, UEFA had ordered the match to be restarted from the 96th minute. Previously, on 4 April, Williamson's successful penalty for England was disallowed for player encroachment (by substitute Rosella Ayane , who had won
2432-655: A plaque honouring Williamson was installed at Scot Sports & Social Club in Milton Keynes. She was one of the legends of football featured in Nike 's "The Football Verse" ad spot for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup . She guest wrote about the England men's football team at this tournament for The Athletic . In 2022, she was one of the honourees of the British GQ Men of the Year Award . She appeared as
2560-510: A point clear albeit having played one game more. On 23 February, Arsenal attempted to defend their title in the FA WSL Continental Cup but Manchester City won 4–2 on penalties; nevertheless, Montemurro praised Williamson after the match. In the league, Arsenal won four games in a row, and after a 5–1 victory at Liverpool on 24 March, England manager Phil Neville indicated his confidence that Williamson would one day captain
2688-599: A promotion and relegation system to the WSL. Ahead of the 2018–19 season, the second division was renamed the FA Women's Championship . The WSL champions, runners-up and third-placed team qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League the following season. Since its inception, four clubs have won the title: Chelsea (7), Arsenal (3), Liverpool (2) and Manchester City (1). The current Women's Super League champions are Chelsea, who won their record-extending seventh title in
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#17327940884172816-492: A proportion of six to one. Furthermore appointments in the civil division were to be divided equally between UK and overseas awards. With regard to the Medal of the Order (but not the order itself), a distinction was made in 1922 between awards 'for gallantry' and awards 'for meritorious service' (each being appropriately inscribed, and the former having laurel leaves decorating the clasp, the latter oak leaves). In 1933 holders of
2944-414: A restructuring of the league and its licensing criteria would follow from the 2017–18 season with a goal of a fully professional top division of between 8 and 14 teams and a second division of up to 12 semi-professional teams. For the 2018–19 season, the league became fully professional. The following twelve clubs are competing in the 2024–25 season : In the first season of the WSL clubs were subject to
3072-479: A season, it was the biggest broadcast deal of any professional women's football league in the world and marked the first time that the WSL's rights had been sold separately from the men's game. In July 2024, YouTube was listed as a new streaming service for non-broadcast WSL matches and select Women's Championship fixtures, as part of a transition from the FA Player. Sky Sports and BBC remained rights holders for
3200-407: A special guest on The Graham Norton Show on New Year's Eve 2022, his 30th series. In 2023 she appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Story reading Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller. Williamson frequently uses her platform for social justice, although she has said: "I’m uncomfortable with the way the word activism is used, because I think it’s just how normal people should behave.” Williamson wore
3328-462: A sport she had local experience in, inspired to become an Olympic athlete. Williamson joined Rushden & Diamonds Centre of Excellence at the age of 6. On that period, Williamson said, "My coach at the time left to go to Arsenal. I went across with her and had a couple of trials and luckily they took me on and I never looked back from there. So I owe it all to my coach from when I was 9." Williamson joined Arsenal 's Centre of Excellence in 2006 at
3456-572: A squad cap of 20 players. This proved unpopular with both managers and players. Ahead of the 2012 season, the rule was reviewed and the cap increased to 23 players. Players from outside the European Union , like their male counterparts, are subject to Home Office work permit regulations. The FA said in April 2012 that the salary rule of allowing only four players per team to earn over £20,000 and that all clubs are paid £70,000 per season from
3584-561: A substitute for Jen Beattie in the 61st minute and assisted a goal in the 6-0 win. Williamson has represented England since 2010 at youth levels. As a midfielder, she was first called up to train with the under-15 team for a thirty-player camp in April 2010, and was retained for the new season in August 2010. She captained the England under-17 side in the 2014 UEFA Under-17 Championship (held in November and December 2013), where they eventually finished fourth; they lost on penalties in
3712-524: A top two finish and Champions League qualification for the sixth consecutive edition of the WSL . She started the season in midfield but switched to central defence with the arrival of new manager Joe Montemurro in December 2017. On her change of position, Williamson said, "I’m not sure in the long term and I never want to shut the door on either position, because I know I can do both. But I’m enjoying playing as
3840-519: A week of PE lessons and to support resources for girls’ football sessions in school. Williamson credited teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy with driving the success of the request. In August 2023, Williamson travelled to Jordan and visited the largest Syrian refugee camp in the world in support of the Coaching for Life programme. Afterwards, she spoke about how the programme is empowering girls and transforming male attitudes to gender stereotypes. Williamson
3968-516: Is an image of Britannia surrounded by the motto, with the words "For Meritorious Service" at the bottom; on the reverse is George V's Imperial and Royal Cypher, with the words "Instituted by King George V" at the bottom. The name of the recipient is engraved on the rim. This medal is nicknamed "the Gong", and comes in both full-sized and miniature versions – the latter for formal white-tie and semi-formal black-tie occasions. A lapel pin for everyday wear
Leah Williamson - Misplaced Pages Continue
4096-973: Is not a member of the College of Arms , as are many other heraldic officers; and the Lady Usher of the Purple Rod does not – unlike the Order of the Garter equivalent, the Lady Usher of the Black Rod – perform any duties related to the House of Lords . Since the Second World War, several Commonwealth realms have established their own national system of honours and awards and have created their own unique orders, decorations and medals. A number, though, continue to make recommendations for appointments to
4224-869: The 2023–24 season, as well as their fifth consecutive title in a row. The FA WSL was due to start in 2010 to replace the FA Women's Premier League National Division as the top level of women's football in England but was deferred for a year due to the global economic downturn . Sixteen clubs applied for 8 places in the inaugural season of the league: Arsenal , Barnet , Birmingham City , Bristol Academy , Chelsea , Colchester United , Doncaster Rovers Belles , Everton , Leeds Carnegie , Leicester City , Lincoln Ladies , Liverpool , Millwall Lionesses , Newcastle United , Nottingham Forest , and Sunderland . Leeds Carnegie later withdrew their application. Women's Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers and Watford declined to apply. FA Chief Executive Ian Watmore described
4352-570: The Barclays Women's Super League ( BWSL ) for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league and the highest level of women's football in England . Established in 2010, it is run by the Football Association and features twelve fully professional teams. The league replaced the FA Women's Premier League National Division as the highest level of women's football in England, with eight teams competing in
4480-536: The Championship . In May 2020, the league was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic . Chelsea were declared champions of the season based on a points-per-game average. At the conclusion of the 2020–21 season , four first-team managers resigned from their positions at WSL clubs Birmingham, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. Birmingham's outgoing manager Carla Ward questioned the commitment of some of
4608-623: The Czech Republic on 12 November 2019. On 17 September 2021, Williamson was named England captain for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. On 5 April 2022, she was appointed permanent England captain; previous captain Steph Houghton had suggested Williamson was one of the players who could eventually take over as captain even before the 2019 World Cup. Williamson captained
4736-450: The FA WSL Continental Cup in addition to the WSL. During the 2011 season, Yorkshire Building Society was also a sponsorship partner along with Continental. Most shirt sponsorships for women's sides affiliated with men's clubs are bundled and not sold or valued separately. In the 2022–23 season, 11 of the WSL's 12 teams were affiliates of men's Premier League clubs, with the only exception being Reading , who were affiliated with
4864-612: The Keepmoat Stadium , Doncaster . In 2013, BBC Two broadcast four WSL programmes during the 2013–14 season. Each programme featured goal round-ups, highlights and features. During the 2017–18 season, many WSL games were broadcast on television by BT Sport , online and red-button by the BBC (UK only), and via the league's Facebook page. BBC Sport continued to air one game a weekend digitally via their iPlayer service and website, while subscription channel Sky Sports also holds
4992-559: The Order of Canada . On the other hand, the Australian Honours System unilaterally created in 1975 did not achieve bi-partisan support until 1992, which was when Australian federal and state governments agreed to cease Australian recommendations for British honours; the last Australian recommended Order of the British Empire appointments were in the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours . New Zealand continued to use
5120-614: The Women's FA Cup . Teams in bold and in italics indicate trebles with the Women's FA Cup and FA Women's League Cup . In September 2021, the Women's Super League announced the first inductees into the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame , recognising significant individuals who have contributed to the growth of the women's game in England and the WSL. As of 30 November 2022 , the WSL's total annual sponsorship revenue
5248-546: The civil service . It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two of which make the recipient either a knight if male or a dame if female. There is also the related British Empire Medal , whose recipients are affiliated with, but not members of, the order. The order was established on 4 June 1917 by King George V , who created the order to recognise 'such persons, male or female, as may have rendered or shall hereafter render important services to Our Empire'. Equal recognition
Leah Williamson - Misplaced Pages Continue
5376-485: The inaugural 2011 season . In the WSL's first two seasons, there was no relegation from the division. The WSL discarded the winter football season for six years, between 2011 and 2016, playing through the summer instead (from March until October). Since 2017–18 , the WSL has operated as a winter league running from September to May, as was traditional before 2011. From 2014 to 2017–18, the Women's Super League consisted of two divisions – FA WSL 1 and FA WSL 2 – and brought
5504-454: The 2024–25 season, with Sky and Now TV broadcasting 44 matches, and the BBC broadcasting 22 matches on iPlayer, with 18 intended for BBC One or BBC Two. In October 2024, a five-year deal with Sky Sports and the BBC worth £65 million was agreed upon by the WSL, an increase from the estimated £7-8 million per season, and the first long-term agreement with broadcasters. As the main investor, Sky Sports are to broadcast 118 live matches per season,
5632-473: The 21st century quotas were introduced to ensure consistent representation among recipients across nine categories of eligibility: with the largest proportion of awards being reserved for community, voluntary and local service. Non-military awards of the British Empire Medal resumed in 2012, starting with 293 BEMs awarded for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee . In 2017 the centenary of
5760-792: The British Empire . Rather than using this chapel, the Order now holds its great services upstairs in the nave of the cathedral. In addition to the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire, St Paul's Cathedral also houses the Chapel of the Order of St Michael and St George . Religious services for the whole Order are held every four years; new Knights and Dames Grand Cross are installed at these services. Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander prefix Sir , and Dames Grand Cross and Dames Commander prefix Dame , to their forenames. Wives of Knights may prefix Lady to their surnames, but no equivalent privilege exists for husbands of Knights or spouses of Dames. Such forms are not used by peers and princes, except when
5888-494: The British Empire for Gallantry. Any individual made a member of the order for gallantry after 14 January 1958 wears an emblem of two crossed silver oak leaves on the same ribbon as the badge, with a miniature version on the ribbon bar when worn alone. When the ribbon only is worn the emblem is worn in miniature. It could not be awarded posthumously , and was replaced in 1974 with the Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM). If recipients of
6016-552: The England squad which won the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 ; she made the most ball recoveries in the competition and was named to the Team of the Tournament. She was the 205th player to represent the England women's team, with this announced as her legacy number on 18 November 2022, the 50th anniversary of the team. As European champions, England qualified to contest the first Women's Finalissima ; on 6 April 2023, Williamson captained
6144-644: The Forgotten Footballers (2023) - A time-travel adventure for children aged 8–12 , written with Williamson's cousin Jordan Glover; illustrations by Robin Boyden. This is the first of a three book deal Williamson signed with Macmillan Children's Books. Williamson was a special guest editor of The Beano , in an edition celebrating 70 years since Minnie the Minx ' s first appearance. Williamson
6272-587: The League once and the FA Cup and League Cup twice each. She has captained Arsenal on various occasions and reached 200 appearances for them in December 2022. Williamson represented England for all their age-group teams before making her senior debut in 2018, for 2019 FIFA World Cup qualifying . She was used sparsely in her first years with England, then became a regular under manager Sarina Wiegman , who also made her permanent captain in 2022. Leah Cathrine Williamson
6400-619: The Lionesses to another international title by defeating Brazil on penalties after 90 minutes. On 19 April 2023, Williamson sustained an injury in Arsenal's 1-0 Women's Super League loss to Manchester United. The injury was later revealed to have been an anterior cruciate ligament, meaning she would miss the rest of the season and the 2023 World Cup in Australia & New Zealand. During her period of recovery, Williamson learned how to play
6528-824: The Military Division of the order from the UK and across the Empire. Recommendations for all appointments to the Order of the British Empire were originally made on the nomination of the King's United Kingdom ministers (recommendations for overseas awards were made by the Foreign Office , the Colonial Office , the India Office and the Dominions Office ); but in the early 1940s the system was changed to enable
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#17327940884176656-436: The Order of the British Empire for Gallantry received promotion within the order, whether for gallantry or otherwise, they continued to wear also the insignia of the lower grade with the oak leaves; however, they used only the post-nominal letters of the higher grade. When the order was founded in 1917, badges, ribands and stars were appointed for wear by recipients. In 1929 mantles, hats and collars were added for recipients of
6784-520: The Order of the British Empire. In 2024 appointments to the order were made by the governments of: Most members of the order are citizens of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth realms that use the UK system of honours and awards. In addition, honorary awards may be made to citizens of nations where the monarch is not head of state ; these permit use of post-nominal letters, but not the title of Sir or Dame . Honorary appointees who later become
6912-404: The Order, however, are not assigned any special precedence. As a general rule, only wives and children of male recipients are afforded privileges. Knights and Dames Grand Cross are also entitled to be granted heraldic supporters . They may, furthermore, encircle their arms with a depiction of the circlet (a circle bearing the motto) and the collar; the former is shown either outside or on top of
7040-463: The United Kingdom; those who would formerly have met the criteria for the medal were instead made eligible for the MBE. In 2004, a report entitled A Matter of Honour: Reforming Our Honours System by a Commons select committee recommended phasing out the Order of the British Empire, as its title was "now considered to be unacceptable, being thought to embody values that are no longer shared by many of
7168-591: The United States. FA women's competitions were initially broadcast on ESPN from 2009 to 2013 as part of a four-year broadcast rights deal. Six live matches were broadcast in 2011 in addition to weekly highlights, with ten games shown in 2012. ESPN broadcast the opening game of the WSL between Chelsea and Arsenal at Imperial Fields on 13 April 2011, a game Arsenal won 1–0 with a first half goal by Gilly Flaherty . The second televised game took place on 12 May 2011 as Doncaster Belles lost 1–0 to Everton Ladies at
7296-452: The WSL 2 having ten teams. The new WSL 1 licence was awarded to Manchester City . Doncaster Rovers Belles were relegated to the WSL 2. They appealed against their demotion but were unsuccessful. In December 2014, the FA WSL announced a two-year plan to expand the WSL 1 from an eight to a ten-team league. Two teams were promoted from the WSL 2 at the end of the 2015 season, while one team
7424-410: The WSL would be semi-professional , with only a "handful" of top players full-time. Clubs' annual wage bills were expected to be approximately one-tenth of those in the now-defunct American Women's Professional Soccer . The 2011 season included a mid-season break from 12 May 2011, to allow for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup . The season then resumed in early July, finishing in August 2011. After
7552-450: The addition of a vertical pearl grey stripe in the centre for awards in the military division). From time to time the order was expanded: there was an increase in the maximum permitted number of recipients in 1933, and a further increase in 1937. During the Second World War, as had been the case during and after World War I, the number of military awards was greatly increased; between 1939 and 1946 there were more than 33,000 appointments to
7680-409: The age of nine. Williamson made her senior team debut the day after her seventeenth birthday when she came on as an 81st-minute substitution for Rachel Yankey in Arsenal's 0–2 defeat to Birmingham City in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final. She made her FA WSL debut on 16 April against Notts County . She won her first major title, the 2014 FA Women's Cup with Arsenal on 1 June in
7808-451: The bench in the Round of 16 match against Cameroon on 23 June 2019. Then-manager Phil Neville felt he did not use Williamson as much as he could have during the qualifiers and World Cup, putting in more experienced defenders and considering Keira Walsh crucial to the defensive midfield instead. Williamson scored her first England goal, an 86th-minute winner, in a 3–2 friendly win against
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#17327940884177936-499: The camera passed her during the anthem as she was tearing up. Williamson has said that a shift in her mentality came when GB was knocked out of the Olympics, not wanting to feel the same disappointment, "she recognised what she needed to do to fulfil her potential" in terms of the demands of international competition. Williamson has been praised by numerous news outlets due to her ability to regain possession for her team without having to tackle her opponent. In Euro 2022 , she completed
8064-474: The cathedral. That year, Commonwealth awards made up 40% of all OBEs and MBEs awarded (and 35% of all living recipients of the higher awards). Gradually that proportion reduced as independent states within the Commonwealth established their own systems of honours . The last Canadian recommendation for the Order of the British Empire was an MBE for gallantry gazetted in 1966, a year before the creation of
8192-438: The championships having recovered the ball 56 times and having completed 472 passes, in both cases doing so more than any other player in the tournament. Another article describes Williamson as the "epitome of a modern-day ball-playing centre back ", citing her ability to anticipate opponent's passes and also to predict her teammates' attacking runs so that she can play a precise forward pass among her strengths. She also has by far
8320-418: The circlet. In 1929, to bring the order into line with the other orders of chivalry, members of the first class of the order (GBE) were provided with mantles, hats and collars. Only Knights/Dames Grand Cross wear these elaborate vestments; the hat is now rarely, if ever, worn. Use of the mantle is limited to important occasions (such as quadrennial services and coronations ). The mantle is always worn with
8448-413: The clubs involved in WSL, whilst Manchester United's outgoing manager Casey Stoney allegedly quit because of unresolved issues surrounding lack of training facilities and other infrastructure. In November 2023, all 24 Women's Super League and Women's Championship clubs unanimously agreed to form a new organisation to run the women's professional game in England, taking over from the FA. The organisation
8576-444: The collar. Although the mantle was introduced in 1929, very few mantles would have been produced prior to the 1937 design changes, as there were few occasions for wearing them in the intervening years. On certain days designated by the sovereign, known as " collar days ", members attending formal events may wear the order's collar over their military uniform, formal day dress, evening wear or robes of office. Collars are returned upon
8704-479: The country's population". The committee further suggested changing the name of the award to the Order of British Excellence, and changing the rank of Commander to Companion (as the former was said to have a "militaristic ring"), as well as advocating for the abolition of knighthoods and damehoods; the government, however, was not of the opinion that a case for change had been made, and the aforementioned suggestions and recommendations were not, therefore, pursued. In
8832-459: The creation of the league as a "top priority" in February 2010. The inaugural WSL season kicked off on 13 April 2011 — at Imperial Fields, Chelsea's home ground — with a match between Chelsea and Arsenal, which Chelsea lost 1–0. For the 2014 season, a second division was created named FA WSL 2 , with nine teams and one team being relegated from the WSL 1. WSL 1 remained as eight teams, with
8960-489: The cup as we have won it three times but we have to keep on focusing on the next game." Williamson helped her team reach the final of the FA Cup of 2016 , which Arsenal won by a 1–0 margin over Chelsea . Williamson was ever-present in the 2017–18 FA WSL Cup as Arsenal ended as Champions beating the defending champions, Manchester City in the final. Arsenal's league campaign was more disappointing with Arsenal missing out
9088-403: The death of their owners, but other insignia may be retained. The six office-holders of the order wear pearl-grey mantles lined with rose-pink, having on the right side a purple shield charged with the roundel from the badge. Each of these office-holders wears a unique badge of office, suspended from a gold chain worn around the neck. The British Empire Medal is made of silver. On the obverse
9216-626: The distinction between ranks in military operational gallantry awards will cease'. The reforms affected the order at various levels: for example the automatic award each year of a GBE to the Lord Mayor of London ceased; the OBE replaced the Imperial Service Order as an award for civil servants and the number of MBEs awarded each year was significantly increased. As part of these reforms the British Empire Medal stopped being awarded by
9344-584: The duration of the new commitment, but coach Jonas Eidevall stated that Leah Williamson is "a player for us to build Arsenal around". On 21 April, she announced her injury from two days prior was a ruptured ACL, ruling her out of the Champion’s League and the World Cup later that year. Williamson returned from injury on 21 January 2024 to play in the Conti Cup against Reading , where she came on as
9472-602: The end of the 2014 season, she was named the League Cup Player of the Year, ahead of Jess Clarke from Notts County, Ji So-yun from Chelsea and Toni Duggan from Manchester City . On 8 January, Williamson won the England Women's Youth Player of the Year award. Before the start of the 2015 FA Women's Super League , on 31 March, Williamson signed her first professional contract with Arsenal. On 26 April, she
9600-521: The final against Everton , in which she came on as a 76th-minute substitute for Jade Bailey . On 13 July, Williamson netted her first professional goal for Arsenal in a 4–0 win away against Millwall Lionesses in the League Cup . On 4 September, she scored her first league goal against Chelsea . She made 12 appearances in the 2014 FA Women's Super League . Williamson played in the 2014 League Cup final against Manchester City which Arsenal lost 1–0. At
9728-569: The final game, a 3–0 win over Japan, and was part of the squad that defeated Denmark 2–0 in one of their final friendly preparation matches for the World Cup. She was then selected for the 2019 FIFA World Cup , with Ian Wright announcing her selection in May 2019. On being selected, Williamson said that she had aimed to go to a World Cup after seeing the previous edition in Canada , considering herself lucky to be called up. She made her World Cup debut from
9856-550: The following year. A shortened bridging season took place, branded as the FA WSL Spring Series , with teams playing each other once from February to May 2017. Following the 2017–18 FA WSL season, WSL 1 was renamed back to the FA Women's Super League, becoming a fully professional league for the first time, with eleven teams for the 2018–19 season . Teams had to re-apply for their licence to earn their place in
9984-529: The former was to be responsible for recording all proceedings connected with the order, issuing warrants under the seal of the order and making arrangements for investitures, while the latter (at that time the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury ) was responsible for collecting and tabulating the names of those who were to receive an award. The office of Dean was added in 1957. The King of Arms
10112-401: The governments of overseas dominions to make their own nominations; Canada and South Africa began doing so in 1942, followed by Australia, New Zealand and other Commonwealth realms. In May 1957, forty years after the foundation of the order, it was announced that St Paul's Cathedral was to serve as the church of the order, and in 1960 a chapel was dedicated for its use within the crypt of
10240-450: The highest class of the order (GBE). The designs of all these items underwent major changes in 1937. The badge is worn by all members of the order; the size, colour and design depends on the class of award. The badge for all classes is in the form of a cross patonce (having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end) with a medallion in the centre, the obverse of which bears a crowned image of George V and Queen Mary within
10368-422: The highest rate of passes into the final third for a defender in the WSL since 2021, with a November 2022 Arsenal technical report saying that "she wrecks the curve" for this statistic due to the margin. In Williamson's hometown, Newport Pagnell , a mural of her was completed in August 2022. The artwork was painted on a former garage by professional street artists. As part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign,
10496-607: The honours system, calling it "a preposterous charade". The order has attracted some criticism for its naming having connection with the idea of the now-extinct British Empire . Benjamin Zephaniah , a British poet of Jamaican and Barbadian descent, publicly rejected appointment as an Officer in 2003 because, he asserted, it reminded him of "thousands of years of brutality". He also said that "it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised". FA WSL The Women's Super League ( WSL ), known as
10624-446: The insignia to Buckingham Palace and by ceasing to make reference to their honour, but they still hold the honour unless and until annulled by the monarch. In 2003, The Sunday Times published a list of the people who had rejected the Order of the British Empire, including David Bowie , John Cleese , Nigella Lawson , Elgar Howarth , L. S. Lowry , George Melly , and J. G. Ballard . In addition, Ballard voiced his opposition to
10752-640: The junior post-nominal letters. The British sovereign is the sovereign of the order and appoints all other officers of the order (by convention, on the advice of the governments of the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth realms ). The second-most senior officer is the Grand Master (a 'Prince of the Blood Royal, or other exalted personage' appointed by the sovereign, who, by virtue of their appointment, becomes 'the First or Principal Knight Grand Cross of
10880-528: The latter. Knights and Dames Commander and Commanders may display the circlet, but not the collar, surrounding their arms. The badge is depicted suspended from the collar or circlet. See List of current honorary knights and dames of the Order of the British Empire Only the monarch can annul an honour. The Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases and makes recommendations for forfeiture. An individual can renounce their honour by returning
11008-566: The league fixtures, the teams compete for a knock-out cup competition, the FA WSL Continental Cup . For the 2014 season , the teams were placed into three regional groups of six. The group winners and best-performing runners-up all advanced to a knockout semi-final. Since the 2015 season , the WSL Continental Cup have been played simultaneously with the league season. Following a review, the FA announced in September 2017 that
11136-561: The league, requiring clubs to offer their players a minimum 16-hour a week contract and to form a youth academy as compulsory for the new licence criteria. Sunderland was moved down to tier 3 in the women's football pyramid after not receiving a licence whilst Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United were added to the league. The league was extended to twelve teams for the 2019–20 season , with Yeovil Town relegated after going into administration and being replaced by Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur , who gained promotion from
11264-463: The left breast, by Knights and Dames Grand Cross; Knights and Dames Commander wear a smaller star composed of 'four equal points and four lesser'. The star is not worn by the more junior classes. Prior to 1937 each star had in the centre a gold medallion with a figure of Britannia, surrounded by a crimson circlet inscribed with the motto of the order ('For God and the Empire'); since 1937 the effigies of King George V and Queen Mary have been shown within
11392-496: The list and then you check for Keira's." Walsh also reflected that there was "nobody [she] would rather have shared this journey with". Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry , rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside
11520-588: The medal 'for gallantry', which had come to be known as the Empire Gallantry Medal , were given permission to use the postnominal letters EGM (and at the same time to add a laurel branch emblem to the ribbon of the medal); however, in 1940, awards of the EGM ceased and all holders of the medal were instructed to exchange it for a new and more prestigious gallantry award: the George Cross . In 1941,
11648-559: The medal of the order 'for meritorious service' was renamed the British Empire Medal , and the following year its recipients were granted the right to use the postnominal letters BEM. During the war, the BEM came to be used to recognise acts of bravery which did not merit the award of a George Cross or George Medal , a use which continued until the introduction of the Queen's Gallantry Medal in 1974. The designs of insignia of
11776-449: The medal. The colour of the riband was also changed: twenty years earlier, prior to the order's establishment, Queen Mary had made it known that pink would be her preferred colour for the riband of the proposed new order, but, in the event, purple was chosen. Following her appointment as Grand Master of the order in 1936 a change was duly made and since 9 March 1937 the riband of the order has been 'rose pink edged with pearl grey’ (with
11904-473: The names of the former are written out in their fullest forms. Male clergy of the Church of England or the Church of Scotland do not use the title Sir (unless they were knighted before being ordained) as they do not receive the accolade (they are not dubbed "knight" with a sword), although they do append the post-nominal letters ; dames do not receive the accolade, and therefore female clergy are free to use
12032-524: The national team. The team won another four games in a row to clinch the title with a 4–0 defeat of Brighton at the Falmer Stadium on 28 April. During the season, the most common passes exchanged were between Williamson and Lisa Evans at right wing back. Williamson took the most touches out of any Arsenal player, with 1,501, and completed the most passes in the opposition’s half (591). She also made thirty interceptions, more than any other player in
12160-454: The numbers restricted to the order as full members do. Although the Order of the British Empire has by far the highest number of members of the British orders of chivalry, with more than 100,000 living members worldwide, there are fewer appointments to knighthoods than in other orders. From time to time, individuals may be promoted to a higher grade within the Order, thereby ceasing usage of
12288-620: The order alongside its own honours until the establishment of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996. Other Commonwealth realms have continued to use the Order of the British Empire alongside their own honours. In 1993 the Prime Minister, John Major , instituted a reform of the honours system with the aim 'that exceptional service or achievement will be more widely recognised; that greater importance will be given to voluntary service; that automatic honours will end; that
12416-408: The order and medal were altered in 1937, prior to the coronation of King George VI , 'in commemoration of the reign of King George V and Queen Mary, during which the Order was founded'. The figure of Britannia at the centre of the badge of the order was replaced with an image of the crowned heads of the late King and Queen Mary, and the words 'Instituted by King George V' were added to the reverse of
12544-409: The order was celebrated with a service at St Paul's Cathedral. The order is limited to 300 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commander, and 8,960 Commanders. There are no limits applied to the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 officers and 1,464 members may be appointed per year. Foreign appointees, as honorary members, do not contribute to
12672-426: The order, to which serving personnel would in future be appointed. The classes were the same as for the Civil Division (as it was now termed), but military awards were distinguished by the addition of a central vertical red stripe to the purple riband of the civil awards. In 1920 appointment as an MBE 'for an act of gallantry' was granted for the first time, to Sydney Frank Blanck Esq, who had rescued an injured man from
12800-566: The penalty and scored a goal in her brief cameo from the bench). The laws of the game state that in such a situation, the penalty should be retaken, but the German referee, Marija Kurtes instead awarded Norway a free kick. After protests from the England camp, the European governing body agreed that the match should be replayed from the time of the incident. The players returned to finish the last two minutes of their match after each had played what
12928-655: The piano and performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the BBC Sport digital show Out Of Office, which follows players pursuing interests off the pitch. Williamson played for the Great Britain Olympic football team at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021). She was proud of her defensive work in the team's group games, and of being an Olympian, saying she had to close her eyes when
13056-474: The rights to televise a selection of matches. For the 2019–20 season, league matches were streamed via The FA Player, as well as some Women's Championship games, highlights from the FA Cup , League Cup and international England games. Some games in The FA Player were excluded, such as those broadcast on BT Sport in the UK and Ireland due to licensing rights. In March 2021, the FA WSL announced
13184-603: The same Order'). The position of Grand Master has been held by the following people: In addition to the sovereign and the grand master , the order has six further officers: At its foundation the order was served by three officers: the King of Arms, the Registrar & Secretary and the Gentleman Usher of the Purple Rod. In 1922 the Prelate was added, and the office of Registrar was separated from that of Secretary:
13312-610: The same period. In July 2022, The FA declined a £150 million offer from an unnamed private equity firm to purchase the league. Baroness Sue Campbell had noted that The FA had refused other private equity offers. As of 2021 , matches are broadcast and streamed in the United Kingdom and Ireland via The FA Player, Sky Sports , and the BBC (UK only). Internationally, select matches are broadcast in at least twelve countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden, and
13440-400: The squad, as part of the development pathway. On 8 June 2018, she made her debut for the senior team coming on for Walsh with six minutes left in their 2019 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Russia , which England won 3–1. She had her first senior start in September that year, in a 6–0 victory over Kazakhstan . She was part of the England squad that won the 2019 SheBelieves Cup , playing in
13568-607: The squad. Williamson was voted to the PFA Team of the Year for 2019-20. On 13 September 2020, Williamson netted her first goal of the season in Arsenal's 9–1 victory over fellow London side West Ham United . On 18 November, Williamson made her 150th appearance in all competitions for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Continental Cup a game which Arsenal would draw 2–2 but go on to win 5–4 on penalties. On 16 June 2021, Arsenal announced that Williamson had signed
13696-461: The standard of the George Medal (even though, as appointments to an order of chivalry, they were listed before it on the Order of Wear . In contrast to awards for meritorious service, which usually appear without a citation, there were often citations for gallantry awards, some detailed and graphic. From 14 January 1958, these awards were designated Commander, Officer or Member of the Order of
13824-515: The team — the only WSL club not affiliated with a men's Premier League club – struggled to compete with a smaller budget for wages than women's sides with Premier League backing. She cited the £250,000 fee paid by Tottenham Hotspur for Bethany England , while some Reading staff were required to work multiple roles from lack of investment by its affiliated men's side in the EFL Championship . Teams in just bold indicate doubles with
13952-434: The third place play-off against Italy , with Williamson scoring one of England's three to Italy's four and being included in the team of the tournament . She was also part of the under-20 team to compete in the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada in August 2014. Williamson featured in the starting lineup in each England game, though they exited in the group stage without winning a match. On 9 April 2015, Williamson scored
14080-506: The title Dame . Knights and Dames Grand Cross use the post-nominal GBE; Knights Commander, KBE; Dames Commander, DBE; Commanders, CBE; Officers, OBE; and Members, MBE. The post-nominal for the British Empire Medal is BEM. Members of all classes of the order are assigned positions in the order of precedence . Wives of male members of all classes also feature on the order of precedence, as do sons, daughters and daughters-in-law of Knights Grand Cross and Knights Commander; relatives of Ladies of
14208-589: The titles Sir for men and Dame for women before their forenames, except with honorary awards. King George V founded the order to fill gaps in the British honours system : In particular, George V wished to create an order to honour the many thousands of individuals from across the Empire who had served in a variety of non-combat roles during the First World War . From its foundation the order consisted of five classes (GBE, KBE/DBE, CBE, OBE and MBE) and
14336-525: The women's team's first international title, in 2022 , for which she was named in the Team of the Tournament . After being part of Arsenal's youth programme from the age of nine, Williamson debuted for the senior team as a teenager at the end of their 2014 Champions League campaign; she started for them in the League Cup final that year, in which she had individual success. With Arsenal, Williamson has won
14464-657: Was born on 29 March 1997 in Milton Keynes to David Williamson and his wife, Amanda (Baker) Williamson and grew up in Newport Pagnell on the northern edge of the urban area , attending Portfields School for primary education and Ousedale School for secondary. She comes from a divided footballing family, with her brother and father fans of North London team Tottenham Hotspur , while she, her mother and grandmother are lifelong fans of Arsenal F.C. ( Spurs' main rivals ). Williamson's mother played football when she
14592-508: Was cancelled in the United States, Lincoln Ladies manager Glen Harris said that the next destination of that league's British players would be decided by "pounds, shillings and pence." Ultimately Kelly Smith , Alex Scott and Gemma Davison all joined Arsenal, while Ifeoma Dieke and Anita Asante joined the Swedish Damallsvenskan in preference to the WSL. On 20 May 2023, Reading manager Kelly Chambers noted that
14720-427: Was estimated to be about $ 14.72 million. In March 2019, the Women's Super League agreed a multi-million sponsorship deal with British bank Barclays from the start of the 2019–20 season. The three-year sponsorship deal is reported to be in excess of £10 million with a prize money pot of £500,000 for the league champions for the first time. The FA described the deal as "the biggest ever investment in UK women's sport by
14848-402: Was first announced at the end of December 2006, and is available to recipients of all levels of the order, as well as to holders of the British Empire Medal . The pin design is not unique to any level. The pin features the badge of the order, enclosed in a circle of ribbon of its colours of pink and grey. Lapel pins must be purchased separately by a member of the order. The creation of such a pin
14976-469: Was made a substantive member and subsequently styled as Sir Terry Wogan). Although initially intended to recognise meritorious service, the order began to also be awarded for gallantry. There were an increased number of cases in the Second World War for service personnel and civilians including the merchant navy, police, emergency services and civil defence, mostly MBEs but with a small number of OBEs and CBEs. Such awards were for gallantry that did not reach
15104-406: Was named NewCo, and Nikki Doucet was named CEO. From the 2024–25 season , the company was known as the Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL). The Women's Super League currently consists of twelve clubs. Initially the league was described as professional, with the top four players on each team being paid an annual salary in excess of £20,000. However, in November 2010 it was confirmed that
15232-419: Was named the 2014–15 PFA Young Women's Player of the Year . Williamson scored her first goal of the season in a convincing 3–0 home victory over Watford in the League Cup on 23 July. Williamson was a key figure in the club's victorious League Cup campaign, after the quarter final win over holders Manchester City, who had beaten Arsenal in the final, Williamson said, "I think Arsenal as a football club have won
15360-513: Was open to both women and men; provision was also made for conferring honorary awards on foreign recipients. At the same time, alongside the order, the Medal of the Order of the British Empire was instituted, to serve as a lower award granting recipients affiliation but not membership. The first investiture took place at Ibrox Stadium , as part of a royal visit to the Glasgow shipyards, with the appointment of Alexander Ure, 1st Baron Strathclyde as
15488-585: Was recommended in Sir Hayden Phillips ' review of the honours system in 2004. The Chapel of the Order of the British Empire is in St Paul's Cathedral . It occupies the far eastern end of the cathedral crypt and was dedicated in 1960. The only heraldic banners normally on display in the chapel are those of the Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire and of the Grand Master of the Order of
15616-580: Was relegated to the WSL 2 with the same happening at the end of the 2016 season. Also, for the first time, a team from the FA Women's Premier League earned a promotion to WSL 2, effectively connecting the WSL to the rest of the English women's football pyramid . The FA announced in July 2016 that the league would move from a summer league format to a winter league, in line with the traditional football calendar in England, with matches played from September to May
15744-467: Was scheduled to be their last qualifying matches for the tournament. With the scores standing at 2–1 to Norway, Williamson equalised and, in doing so, booked her team's place in the tournament finals . In November 2017, Williamson was called up to train with the senior England squad. She then travelled with the team to the 2018 SheBelieves Cup in the United States in March 2018, without being available for
15872-436: Was selected as a mascot for the Lionesses and accompanied Kelly Smith , the captain at the time and a future teammate who Williamson would later follow when she became England captain. Smith autographed a photo for Williamson and told her to "dream big". After watching long jumper Greg Rutherford , who also comes from Milton Keynes, at the 2012 Summer Olympics , Williamson briefly considered switching her focus to athletics ,
16000-805: Was the first England women's footballer to address the United Nations when she appeared at the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) Summit in September 2023. As well as her involvement with Coaching for Life, Williamson is an ambassador for the Willow Foundation . Williamson has co-authored two books to date: You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can (2023) - A positive guide for empowering young girls, written with sports journalist Suzanne Wrack . The Wonder Team and
16128-526: Was to be given for services rendered in the UK and overseas. Today the majority of recipients are UK citizens, though a number of Commonwealth realms outside the UK continue to make appointments to the order. Honorary awards may be made to citizens of other nations of which the order's sovereign is not the head of state. The five classes of appointment to the Order are, from highest grade to lowest grade: The senior two ranks of Knight or Dame Grand Cross and Knight or Dame Commander entitle their members to use
16256-467: Was training to be an accountant but has reportedly put her studies on hold to focus on football. She is close friends with former Arsenal teammate Alex Scott , and international teammate Keira Walsh . Williamson and Walsh went through all the England junior ranks together and received their first senior call up on the same day in 2017; in 2019, Williamson commented that whenever England teams were announced "the first thing you do, you check for your name on
16384-483: Was younger, cutting her hair short so that she would look like a boy and be allowed to play. In 2006, she was selected as the mascot to the Arsenal men's team in a league cup match at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion . Despite being on holiday, her mother drove her the 430 mile round trip from Bude to ensure her dream was fulfilled. She was rewarded with a photo with Arsenal's Theo Walcott . In 2007, she
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