Page 31 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.33 2021-22

Stalwarts to depart from Chelsea

Following an incredible eight years with the club, Ji So-Yun will leave Chelsea at the end of the
season to head back to South Korea. Meanwhile, after more than ten years of service to the club,
Chelsea can also confirm the departure of Blues midfielder, Drew Spence.
As one of Chelsea’s longest serving players, Ji has been a pivotal member of Emma Hayes’s
side, scoring an impressive 68 goals at the club across a total of 208 appearances so far, with three
matches left this season. The 31-year-old has 37 league goals to her name, ranking her among the
top scorers in WSL history, and is undoubtedly one of the most successful signings from overseas
to come to this country.
Remarkably, Ji has been a part of each of the 11 major trophies the club has won in the WSL
era, becoming a champion of England five times including the Spring Series, taking home the FA
Cup three times and also securing two Continental Cups and one Community Shield.
Ji was initially spotted by Hayes and general manager, Paul Green when Chelsea Women
played Japanese side INAC Kobe Leonessa in the final of the 2013 International Women’s Club
Championship in Tokyo. A two-year contract was signed, a landmark deal at the time for an
international player to be heading to the WSL. Ji became the first South Korean to play in the FA
Women’s Super League, and in her debut campaign for the club in 2014 she scooped the FA WSL
Player of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards. She also went on to become the first
non-British player to reach 100 and 200 league appearances respectively.
A product of the Chelsea Centre of Excellence and the club’s longest serving player, Drew
Spence has been an integral member of Emma Hayes’ side over the past 10 years and has racked up
238 appearances so far for Chelsea, scoring 50 goals. Most recently in February 2020, Spence
signed a new contract at the club, extending her time with the Blues until the end of this season.
Spence made her Chelsea debut back in 2009 and since then has enjoyed an illustrious career
with the Blues, helping to win all 11 of our major trophies.
During her time at Chelsea she has become a champion of England five times, an FA Cup
winner three times and also has two Continental Cup and one Community Shield under her belt.
Spence also netted her 50th goal for the Blues back in March as they beat Birmingham City 5-0 in
the FA Cup quarter finals.
Not only has Spence enjoyed a glistening club career, she has impressed on the international
stage. In 2015, Spence’s fine form earned her a senior call-up to the Lionesses for the Yongchuan
International Tournament. Spence also qualified for the Jamaica national team and earned her first
cap for the Reggae Girlz in October 2021. Most recently, Spence represented Jamaica as they
qualified for the Concacaf Championships this summer, edging them one step closer to the FIFA
Women’s World Cup.
The County Leagues...
Gloucestershire League
The Division Three title race has been a closely fought one all season and was finally decided
on Sunday, with Bradley Stoke being crowned as Champions following a 1-0 win away to
Southmead Community Sport. Just seven days earlier, Southmead had dealt a huge blow
to Whitchurch & Bristol's title challenge by beating them 2-0 and after another closely
fought match, a goal from Alex Thomson separated the two sides and gave Bradley Stoke the
result they needed. Downend Flyers Res meanwhile took the final place in the top three
when they defeated Bristol Ladies Union Development 4-1, with Michaela Adams hitting
a hat-trick alongside an own goal. Kingswood Women meanwhile battled out a 3-3 draw
with Winchcombe Town, for whom Anna Howes netted twice and Kelly Adams the other.
In Division Two, the last match of the season saw Cheltenham Civil Service ran out
4-0 winners away to Red Falcon Club, to finish the season level on points with fourth placed
Cirencester Town.
Greater London League
Clapton Community have had a good season and it will end with a cup final, after winning
their John Greenacre Memorial Trophy semi final 3-0 against Division One North title
Issue no. 33 - 5 May 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk