Club Career
Exley joined Sheffield Wednesday Ladies at the age of 15, moving to Doncaster Rovers Belles three years later. She began her Belles career as a striker before switching back to a midfield playmaker role. Nicknamed Tricky, Exley is renowned for her powerful shot.
Despite scoring with a header, Exley was on the losing side in the 2000 FA Women's Cup final, as Croydon won 2–1. Two years later Exley featured in another Cup final defeat, this time to professional Fulham.
In 2004 Doncaster Belles suffered an exodus of players after a financial crisis, however, Exley and Claire Utley chose to remain loyal to the club. In September 2004, Exley scored after four seconds of a League Cup tie against Aston Villa from inside her own half. During that 2004–05 season, Doncaster struggled and only retained their National Premier League status thanks to Exley scoring on the final day of the season. Exley was top scorer for Doncaster Belles in the following two seasons, winning the manager's Player of the Year award in 2006.
In July 2008, Exley scored the only goal of the game as Doncaster beat Watford Ladies in the FA Futsal Women's Cup, the competition being the first time that Doncaster had played Futsal.
Exley scored 25 goals in all competitions during 2009–10 and was named in the Belles' 2011 FA WSL squad. She netted Doncaster's first goal in the new league, the winner at Lincoln Ladies' Sincil Bank on the opening night.
Prior to the 2012 season Exley was released by Doncaster. In explaining his decision, manager John Buckley paid his own tribute, telling the Doncaster Free Press:
| “ | Vicky has been a great servant to the club. When she was younger there were times when she virtually carried the team on her shoulders. I just felt that she has reached a stage where her legs can't do what her brain wants her to do. It's probably one of the hardest decisions I'll ever have to make—and she'll probably hate me for it. | ” |
In May 2012 it was reported that Exley had decided to retire from football altogether.
Read more about this topic: Vicky Exley
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