Danielle Michelle Taylor-Gibbons (née Danielle Michelle Gibbons; born 31 July 1992) is an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Preston North End (now known as AFC Fylde), Liverpool, and Blackburn Rovers.
Club career Gibbons was encouraged to play football as a child by her parents, playing for Euxton Girls' Team from the age of eight. She played as a defender until stepping in as goalkeeper when her team was struggling to fill the position.
Preston North End Gibbons began her career playing for Preston North End (now affiliated with AFC Fylde, competing under the name AFC Fylde Women).
Liverpool Gibbons was signed by Liverpool ahead of the inaugural 2011 season of the FA Women's Super League. During her time at the club, she won the Women's Super League twice and made appearances in the Women's Champions League. In 2015, the club presented a Special Recognition award to Gibbons after she successfully returned to football following surgery to remove a brain tumour in the mid-season break.
Upon leaving Liverpool, she was the club's longest-serving player.
Sheffield In 2017, Gibbons signed with Women's Championship (now known as WSL2) team Sheffield F.C. During her time at the club, she worked part-time as a personal trainer. Following the 2017–18 season, Sheffield were forced to withdraw from the league, citing financial situations.
Blackburn Rovers In 2018, she signed for Blackburn Rovers. With the club, she won the Women's National League North, Women's National League Cup, and Lancashire FA Women's Challenge Cup. She left the club and retired from football in July 2019.
International career Gibbons represented England at U-19 and U-23 level and was called up to train with the senior squad. She also represented Great Britain at the 2013 Summer Universiade.
Personal life In 2013, Gibbons was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma (a low-grade benign brain tumour); the tumour was growing on her vestibulocochlear nerve, a nerve which helps with control and balance. In 2015, Gibbons required surgery to remove the tumour, which made her deaf in her left ear. Just three months after her surgery, injury to Liverpool's first choice goalkeeper required Gibbons to play in two games, including a Champions League match away against Brescia. Since her surgery, Gibbons has suffered from severe tinnitus.
Gibbons works for the civil service. In 2023, she married her partner, Laura. She is an ambassador for BANA, a charity supporting people affected by acoustic neuroma. In 2025, she released a book, Back in the Game: My Brain Tumour Diaries, about her diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Honours
Liverpool
FA WSL: 2013, 2014
Blackburn Rovers
Women's National League North: 2018–19 FA Women's National League Cup: 2018–19 Lancashire FA Women's Challenge Cup: 2018–19
References
External links
Liverpool LFC player profile