Lauren Wells
Encyclopedia
Lauren Wells is a footballer from Reading
who plays for the Welsh national team
and Bristol Academy
. She is a goalkeeper.
and spent two years studying at the Academy and featuring for the first team as Emma Byrne
's back-up. Wells moved away to the University of Bath
in 2006 and began playing for Cardiff City
. Despite playing for Cardiff in the UEFA Women's Cup
, Wells moved on to Bristol City Ladies after three months, in search of first-team football. Bristol City came under the auspices of Team Bath
in 2007 and Wells continued as the number one goalkeeper at the club.
With the demise of Team Bath, Wells joined Bristol Academy
in 2009, making her debut against Birmingham City
.
at U17 level, but switched her allegiance to Wales
and won 11 caps for the U19 team.
She was called into the Wales senior squad in March 2004 for that year's Algarve Cup
while still a 15-year-old schoolgirl player with Reading. She made her international debut against Finland
in a 4-0 defeat on 20 March 2004.
Wells also represented Great Britain
at the World University Games
, playing in the 2009 tournament in Belgrade
and winning a bronze medal.
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
who plays for the Welsh national team
Wales women's national football team
The Wales women's national football team team represents Wales in international women's football. They have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships and are currently ranked 47th in the world and 27th in Europe...
and Bristol Academy
Bristol Academy W.F.C.
Bristol Academy Women's Football Club are a semi-professional English women's football club affiliated with the Bristol Academy of Sport, based at Filton College. They were admitted to the FA WSL in 2010.-History:...
. She is a goalkeeper.
Club career
Wells joined her local club Reading Royals aged ten. At 16 she moved on to ArsenalArsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
and spent two years studying at the Academy and featuring for the first team as Emma Byrne
Emma Byrne
Emma Anne Byrne is an Irish association footballer from Leixlip in County Kildare. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for the English team Arsenal, and also for the Republic of Ireland women's team.-Club career:...
's back-up. Wells moved away to the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
in 2006 and began playing for Cardiff City
Cardiff City L.F.C.
Cardiff City Ladies Football Club is a Welsh women's football club currently playing at the third level in England. The club was founded in 1975 as Llanedeyrn L.F.C. after a local charity match. They play at Cardiff International Sports Stadium, Cardiff....
. Despite playing for Cardiff in the UEFA Women's Cup
UEFA Women's Cup
The UEFA Women's Champions League is the first international women's association football club competition for teams that play in UEFA nations. Initially known as the UEFA Women's Cup, the competition has been re-branded since the 2009-2010 edition as the UEFA Women's Champions League...
, Wells moved on to Bristol City Ladies after three months, in search of first-team football. Bristol City came under the auspices of Team Bath
Team Bath F.C.
Team Bath was an English association football club affiliated with the University of Bath in the city of Bath, Somerset at the turn of the 21st century. The club was formed to allow the players to combine professional football with higher education...
in 2007 and Wells continued as the number one goalkeeper at the club.
With the demise of Team Bath, Wells joined Bristol Academy
Bristol Academy W.F.C.
Bristol Academy Women's Football Club are a semi-professional English women's football club affiliated with the Bristol Academy of Sport, based at Filton College. They were admitted to the FA WSL in 2010.-History:...
in 2009, making her debut against Birmingham City
Birmingham City L.F.C.
Birmingham City L.F.C. is a semi-professional English Women's football club who are affiliated to Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at Knights Lane, the home of Stratford Town F.C., and were named as founder members of the FA Women's Super League which started in 2011.-History:The...
.
International career
Wells represented EnglandEngland women's national football team
The England women's national football team represents England in international women's football. The side has been quite successful of late, qualifying for three World Cups, 1995, 2007 and 2011...
at U17 level, but switched her allegiance to Wales
Wales women's national football team
The Wales women's national football team team represents Wales in international women's football. They have yet to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup or European Championships and are currently ranked 47th in the world and 27th in Europe...
and won 11 caps for the U19 team.
She was called into the Wales senior squad in March 2004 for that year's Algarve Cup
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football . Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football...
while still a 15-year-old schoolgirl player with Reading. She made her international debut against Finland
Finland women's national football team
The Finland women's national football team represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland , reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark...
in a 4-0 defeat on 20 March 2004.
Wells also represented Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
at the World University Games
2009 Summer Universiade
The 2009 Summer Universiade, officially known as the XXV Summer Universiade were celebrated in Belgrade, Serbia from 1 July to 12 July 2009. The event has also been organised by a range of co-host cities mostly in Vojvodina , close to Belgrade. It was the largest sporting event ever to be organised...
, playing in the 2009 tournament in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
and winning a bronze medal.
External links
- Lauren Wells at UEFAUEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
- Lauren Wells at FAWFootball Association of WalesThe Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...