Jodie Taylor
A globe-trotting English striker whose clinical finishing peaked with a Golden Boot, leading her nation to a historic World Cup semifinal.
Born 1986 (age 40)·English footballer·Birthday: May 17·Millennials
Biography
Jodie Taylor's football journey reads like an atlas of the women's game, a path forged through sheer persistence and a striker's instinct. Beginning at Tranmere Rovers, she didn't follow a conventional starlet's path; instead, she built her career across continents, from the professional pitches of the United States' WPS to the leagues of Australia, Sweden, and France. This itinerant phase honed a rugged, adaptable playing style. Her breakthrough on the international stage came relatively late, but with devastating effect. At the 2017 European Championships, Taylor's razor-sharp positioning and cool finishing won her the Golden Boot, and her goals were instrumental in driving England to the semifinals, capturing the public's imagination. She later returned to the English Women's Super League, bringing her world-class experience to Arsenal, before closing a career defined by a relentless pursuit of goals and improvement.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jodie was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jodie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Jodie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Golden Boot as top scorer at the UEFA Women's Euro 2017.
- Scored a hat-trick for England in their opening Euro 2017 match against Scotland.
- Played professionally in six different countries across four continents.
- Won the FA Women's Super League title with Arsenal in the 2018-19 season.
Did You Know?
She played collegiate soccer in the United States for Oregon State University.
While playing for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, she also worked part-time in a coffee shop.
She is a lifelong supporter of English club Tranmere Rovers.
She earned her first senior England cap at the age of 28.
“I scored goals in England, America, and Australia. A striker's job is the same everywhere.”
