Gilly Louise Scarlett Flaherty was born on 24 August 1991 and is an English former footballer who played as a centre-back.
24 Facts About Gilly Flaherty
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Gilly Flaherty later played in the Women's Super League for Chelsea Women, West Ham United Ladies and Liverpool Women.
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Gilly Flaherty represented England at youth level before making her senior debut in October 2015.
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Gilly Flaherty previously held the record for the most appearances in the Women's Super League, playing in her record-breaking 176th game in November 2022 to overtake previous holder Jill Scott.
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Gilly Flaherty was educated at Addey and Stanhope School, a secondary school located in New Cross, London, where she was a Head Girl.
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In September 2007, Gilly Flaherty joined the Arsenal Ladies Academy, which combines academic studies with football coaching.
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Gilly Flaherty gained a BTEC National Sport and Exercise Science qualification on successfully attaining a pass in the course.
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Gilly Flaherty started playing football with her father as a nine-year-old.
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Gilly Flaherty joined her first club, Millwall Lionesses, where she played for the youth teams until the age of thirteen.
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Gilly Flaherty joined Arsenal Ladies, following a successful trial with the club in 2003.
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Gilly Flaherty was part of its youth programme, playing for the Under-14s team.
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Gilly Flaherty worked her way through the club, coming off the bench to make her senior debut in October 2006 against Birmingham City, in a Premier League Cup match, when only 15 years old.
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Gilly Flaherty was part of the Arsenal squad that made history by being the first team outside Germany or Scandinavia to win the UEFA Women's Cup.
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Gilly Flaherty will become a bedrock for club and country as she has all the hallmarks of a top class player.
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Gilly Flaherty followed former Chelsea teammates Rebecca Spencer and Claire Rafferty, both of whom had moved to the east London club during the close-season.
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On 12 January 2023, Gilly Flaherty announced her retirement from football citing family reasons, following the passing of her father in late 2022.
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Gilly Flaherty has previously represented her country at under-15 and under-17 levels and made her debut for the under-23 team against Germany in September 2010.
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Not favoured by England coach Hope Powell, in December 2013, Gilly Flaherty was named in the first senior squad to be named by Powell's successor Mark Sampson.
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Gilly Flaherty was given number 191 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.
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In 2008 and 2009, Gilly Flaherty appeared on the Channel 4 television programme Yeardot.
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In 2023, Gilly Flaherty made numerous appearances as a football commentator including for the BBC and contributor to the football podcast Counter Pressed.
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In December 2018, Gilly Flaherty revealed that she is a lesbian and living with her partner Lily.
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Gilly Flaherty is a supporter of the Time to Talk day campaign, run by Time to Change.
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Gilly Flaherty took part in a white-collar boxing match in August 2013, to raise money for Millwall's Girls' Centre of Excellence.