The rise of Grace Fisk: From Millwall Lionesses to Wiegman’s England squad
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, Grace Fisk was announced as the new captain for Liverpool FC Women. She leads from the back and has emerged as a young talent to watch in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Due to the withdrawal of young defender, Katie Reid and Manchester City’s new signing, Grace Clinton, the Liverpool captain received her first call-up to the senior England squad under head coach, Sarina Wiegman. The squad welcomed Fisk to the international camp during the Lionesses’ homecoming series.
Young Lionesses
Fisk represented England all throughout the youth pathway: from Under-17s to 23s. As part of this she sported the England kit for the 2015 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship, impressively racking up two goals against Bulgaria in the qualifying rounds. She was surrounded by future Lionesses in this team, including the likes of Chloe Kelly, Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo.
Two years later, Fisk then appeared in every game of the 2017 UEFA Women’s Under-19s Championship, showing progression through the age groups.
The highest accolade Fisk achieved throughout her time as a young Lioness was captaining her team to a bronze medal at the Under-20 World Cup, after the team beat the host nation, France on penalties. Taylor Hinds played alongside her in this tournament: another defender who received her first call-up to the senior squad this international window.
Fisk has previously received a senior call-up for the SheBelieves Cup squad in 2020 under former head coach, Phil Neville, though she didn’t manage to get any minutes on the pitch during this campaign.
Domestic football
It all started for the defender at the Millwall Lionesses centre of excellence from the age of ten. After graduating from the development squad, Fisk became the youngest player to debut for the club, aged only sixteen. Just one year later, in 2015, Fisk was named the team’s Young Player of the Season showing the impact her game had on the team in such a short time.
After departing Millwall to play college football in the United States, Fisk made a return to English domestic football, this time in the topflight for Matt Beard’s West Ham United Women. She made her debut with a start for the Hammers in January, 2020. However, this ended in an unfortunate loss due to a stoppage time winner, as Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 2-1 victory. During this game her defensive attributes, which would come to define her next three years at the club, were shown for the first time.
After completing two more years in London, Fisk made the move to Merseyside in the summer of 2023 to follow her ex-manager, Beard as he introduced her into his Liverpool side. Fisk’s first appearance for Liverpool was a great success.
The Reds became the first team to defeat Arsenal Women at the Emirates Stadium. With a crowd of 54,115 (the record at the time) her debut came on a major stage in the women’s footballing world. Following along from the 1-0 win over the Gunners, Beard’s side went on to place fourth in the WSL that season – with wins over league giants Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
After the departures of captain, Niamh Fahey and vice-captain, Hinds, Fisk was donned the Liverpool Captain for the 2025/26 season by new boss Gareth Taylor. Further proving her leadership skills, she drives the team forward from the back and is a strong presence in the Reds’ backline.
Playstyle and qualities
The Liverpool Captain plays in the centre back role for her club, starting all their WSL games so far this season. Fisk has experience playing in a variety of different backline formations, including a back three, but currently plays in a standard back four system, where she leads the line. This experience leaves her with the flexibility to perform in any defensive position, contributing to her call-up for Wiegman’s England team.
One of the key attributes from her game is her aerial ability: she has a high success rate winning aerial duels, which complements the physical attributes she also brings to the field. She positions herself in insightful ways that make it hard for defenders to get past her, and this anticipation of danger means she can remain solid in tackles and 1v1 situations.
Capturing Wiegman’s attention
For the first time in her successful run as England manager, Wiegman called up Fisk to the senior camp. She earned herself a spot in the Lionesses squad for international friendlies against both Brazil and Australia.
Whilst she is yet to receive her first cap for her country, the young defender gained key experience to take back to Merseyside. Now, her hopes are set on performing well for her club, to warrant making another camp. After a while away from the senior England set up, this call-up underscores her growing stand within the Lioness pathway and future in an England shirt.