Matt Beard and Niamh Fahey have paid personal tributes to Gemma Bonner with the Liverpool FC Women defender on the brink of a special milestone.
If she features in Sunday’s home game against Leicester City Women, Bonner will equal the club record for most appearances in the Barclays Women’s Super League era, which is currently held by Ashley Hodson.
The Foxes’ visit to Prenton Park is a 2pm GMT kick-off as the Reds return to action following the international break.
“Gemma’s always had a sensible head on her shoulders, even when she was young. I remember going with Casey Stoney to watch her many years ago when I was at Chelsea,” manager Beard writes in his programme notes.
We saw her play for Leeds and then made the seven-day approach to sign her. Even then, at such a young age, you could see how mature she was.
“I just think if you look at her career as a whole and what she’s achieved at Liverpool and Manchester City, it tells you everything that you need to know about her. She then tested herself in one of the toughest leagues in the world in the NWSL and ended up becoming captain at Racing Louisville.
“Gemma is very demanding of herself and she’s definitely a student of the game. She’s been great for the younger players here since she returned to the club in January too.
“She’s just a wonderful, wonderful person, a gifted football player and I’m very lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to work with her three times.”
Beard himself will bring up a landmark this weekend, with the Leicester match his 150th overall as a manager in the Women’s Super League, which he won twice with Liverpool in 2013 and 2014.
“He’s been unreal since coming back to this club and his CV speaks for itself,” says Fahey. “A title winner in this league twice, he’s also managed in the USA and is now back here steering the ship for us.
“He’s a fantastic guy and away from the football side of things, he’s a top person. He really cares about his players and his staff.
“Not many managers have reached that total in the WSL and it’s a great achievement for him and his family and one to be proud of.
Gemma could also regain a share of the club appearance record in the WSL era if she plays and then hopefully claim it outright in the next week.
“It’s a massive achievement to be the top appearance holder at a club like Liverpool and she’s been fantastic since she returned at the start of this year.
“I’d known her through playing against her over the years but now playing with her at Liverpool, she’s a fantastic role model and leader. Again it will be a fantastic occasion for Gemma and her family, so massive congrats to her.
“Let’s hope the girls can mark the occasion with a win.”
