Wilkinson's Professional Football Career: A Journey Through the Leagues
The trajectory of a professional athlete is often defined by resilience and the ability to find the back of the net when it matters most. For Wilkinson, a prolific forward, her career has spanned several of the most competitive environments in English and Scottish women's football, evolving from a promising debutant in the Women's Super League (WSL) to a dominant force in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL).
Early Career at Birmingham City Women
Wilkinson began her senior career in 2013 with Birmingham City Women in the Women's Super League (WSL), the top flight of English women's football. She made her debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Notts County Ladies. Over the course of the 2013 season, she appeared in ten matches, earning three starts. Her first senior goal arrived in a 3–0 away victory against Doncaster Rovers Belles, where she scored the opening goal.
The 2014 season saw a reduction in league appearances, with Wilkinson featuring only once in a 0–0 draw against Everton. However, she found success in the Women's Super Cup, appearing twice and scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 win over Yeovil United.
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Growth and Adversity: Aston Villa Women
Seeking more consistent playing time, Wilkinson joined Aston Villa Women on loan during the 2014 campaign. She quickly became a pivotal part of the squad, notably scoring two goals to secure a 2–1 win over Oxford Women. Her contributions helped Aston Villa finish fourth in the 2014 WSL 2 campaign, leading to an extension of her stay at the club.
However, her progress was severely hindered in the summer of 2016 when she suffered a major injury to her right ankle, breaking five ligaments. This injury sidelined her for the remainder of the season. Upon her return for the 2017/18 season, she made five appearances—mostly as a substitute—though she was unable to find the scoring form she had previously enjoyed.
Resurgence with London Bees
In January 2018, Wilkinson signed with London Bees, marking a turning point in her career. She made an immediate impact in her debut against her former club, Aston Villa, scoring a 90th-minute equalizer to secure a 3–3 draw. By the end of the 2017–18 season, she had scored eight goals in 12 appearances, including a brace against Watford Ladies in a 4–0 win.
Her exceptional form earned her the WSL 2 Player of the Month award for May 2018. In her first full season with the Bees, she added two more goals—scoring in 2–1 victories against Leicester City Women and Crystal Palace Women—across 13 appearances.
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Dominance at Sheffield United Women
Wilkinson's goal-scoring prowess earned her a move to Sheffield United, where she was appointed vice-captain. Her tenure in South Yorkshire was characterized by clinical finishing. In the 2018–19 season, she scored 15 goals in just 14 appearances, including a hat-trick against Leicester and braces against Coventry City Ladies and Leicester.
Despite her individual success, the season's cancellation prevented Sheffield United from achieving promotion to the WSL, as Aston Villa finished six points ahead. Nevertheless, Wilkinson was recognized as the FA Women's Championship Player of the Season and won the Golden Boot. She continued this momentum into the following season, netting 16 goals in 17 appearances and winning the February 2021 Player of the Month award.
Success in Scotland with Rangers
Moving to the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL) with Rangers, Wilkinson reached new heights of productivity. In her debut season, she scored a remarkable 39 goals in 32 league games, earning a spot in the 2024–25 PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year.
While Rangers narrowly missed the league title to Hibernian, Wilkinson helped the club secure a domestic double. She scored the opening goal in the 5–0 SWPL Cup final victory over Hibs and provided an assist in the 3–0 Scottish Women's Cup final win against Glasgow City at Hampden Park. She also scored in the 89th minute of the 2025–26 SWPL Cup final, despite a 2–1 loss to Glasgow City.
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Key Facts
- Career Peak: Scored 39 goals in 32 games during her first season with Rangers.
- Major Awards: FA Women's Championship Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner.
- Resilience: Overcame a severe ankle injury in 2016 involving five broken ligaments.
- Versatility: Has played across the WSL, FA Women's Championship, and SWPL.
- Trophies: Won the SWPL Cup and the Women's Scottish Cup with Rangers.
| Club | Key Achievement / Stat | Notable Honor |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham City | Senior debut (2013) | First senior goal vs Doncaster Rovers Belles |
| Aston Villa | Loan success in WSL 2 | Winning brace vs Oxford Women |
| London Bees | 8 goals in 12 games (2017-18) | May 2018 WSL 2 Player of the Month |
| Sheffield United | 31 goals over two seasons | Championship Golden Boot & Player of the Season |
| Rangers | 39 goals in 32 league games | PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which club did Wilkinson play for first?
Wilkinson made her senior debut in 2013 with Birmingham City Women in the Women's Super League.
What was the most significant injury of her career?
In the summer of 2016, while with Aston Villa, she suffered a major right ankle injury where she broke five ligaments, causing her to miss the rest of the season.
How many goals did she score for Sheffield United in the 2018–19 season?
She scored 15 goals in 14 appearances during the 2018–19 season, earning her the Golden Boot.
What honors did she achieve during her time with Rangers?
She won the SWPL Cup and the Women's Scottish Cup, and was named in the 2024–25 PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year.
Did she ever win a Player of the Month award?
Yes, she won the WSL 2 Player of the Month in May 2018 with London Bees and the FA Women's Championship Player of the Month in February 2021 with Sheffield United.