Jemma Connor-Iommi
Jemma Louise Connor-Iommi (born 28 May 1985) is a football coach and former player. She most recently played as a defender for London Bees. Connor-Iommi was born in England but represented the Republic of Ireland at senior international level.
![]() Playing for London Bees in 2015 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Jemma Louise Connor-Iommi[1] | ||
Date of birth | 28 May 1985 | ||
Place of birth | Sutton Coldfield, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
Playing position(s) | Centre back / Defensive midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
Aston Villa Ladies | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2006 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | 0 | (0) |
2006–2010 | Sporting Club Albion | ||
2008–2010 | Birmingham City Ladies | ||
2010–2013 | Nottingham Forest | ||
2014 | Oxford United Ladies | ||
2015 | London Bees | ||
National team‡ | |||
2008–2010 | Republic of Ireland | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 May 2010 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 May 2010 (UTC) |
Club career
After two years at the national academy for women's football in Gateshead, 18-year-old Connor-Iommi went to America on a scholarship in 2003.[2] She returned home six months into the four-year course due to a weight problem.[2]
Connor-Iommi lost 9 stone (57 kg)[2] and played for Doncaster Rovers Belles then West Bromwich Albion Ladies.[3] She joined Premier League Birmingham City in 2008[4] but continued to appear for West Bromwich Albion (then called Sporting Club Albion) in the Midland Combination.[5]
She also played futsal for Team United Birmingham.[6]
With Birmingham City inactive until the FA WSL started in spring 2011, Connor-Iommi joined Nottingham Forest in the 2010–2011 Premier League.[7] In 2012–13 Connor-Iommi captained Nottingham Forest while also working as a manager in a school.[8]
When Oxford United were elected into FA WSL 2 in 2014 Connor-Iommi signed for them. After playing in every match for Oxford, she joined WSL 2 rivals London Bees ahead of the 2015 campaign.[9] In June 2016, Connor-Iommi returned to West Brom as a development manager.
International career
Connor-Iommi was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team through her Irish father. She was called up for the first time in May 2008.[3] She then went on a tour to America that autumn.[10]
In October 2008 she participated in Ireland's Euro 2009 play-off defeat by Iceland, under the name Jemma O'Connor.[11]
Personal life
Tony Iommi is Jemma's mother's cousin.[2] In 2009 Connor-Iommi worked as a warrant officer, which she described as: "knocking on offenders' doors and hoping not to get your head kicked in".[12]
References
- "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/02/2015 and 28/02/2015" (PDF). The Football Association. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- "Jemma hopes to avoid Black Sabbath for final". Express and Star. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Albion ace set to make history". West Bromwich Albion FC. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Birmingham City Ladies FC 2008-09 Season". www.football-england.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Advantage Albion and Argyle". She Kicks. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Republic Of Ireland International Takes Futsal To Heart". TeamUnited.com. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- Tony Leighton (5 September 2010). "Forest beat Lionesses to go top". BBC. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- Heath, Neil (15 November 2012). "Nottingham Forest Ladies: The reality of women's football". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- "Connor-Iommi signs for the Bees!". London Bees. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- "Jemma's dream call up". Women's Soccer Scene. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- "Irish frozen out in Iceland". Fair Game. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
- Malone, Emmet (19 June 2009). "Republic of Ireland squad". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
External links
- Nottingham Forest profile
- FAI profile