Grace Clinton

Grace Clinton is a professional footballer, England international and keynote speaker known for her grounded, honest perspective on high performance and resilience. A dynamic midfielder for Manchester United, Grace was part of the England squad that won UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, making an appearance in the final. She made her senior England debut in 2024, scoring just 19 minutes into the match. As a speaker, she brings a fresh and relatable voice to conversations around elite sport, youth development, and the rise of women’s football in the UK and beyond.

Grace developed through the Everton academy, where her creativity and vision were quickly recognised. At just 16, she was called into first-team training and by 17 had made her senior debut in the Women’s Super League. Her early promise was clear, with then-manager Willie Kirk praising her talent, while also challenging her to develop a more complete game. Experiences like these helped shape Grace into a disciplined, self-aware player. She credits this period, and the influence of experienced teammates like Jill Scott, as critical to her development on and off the pitch.

Since signing for Manchester United in 2022, Grace has gained valuable experience with loan spells at Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur, both of which marked key turning points in her career. At Bristol City, she played a central role in helping the team secure the 2022–23 Championship title and promotion to the WSL, earning the Bristol City Women's Young Player of the Year award. At Spurs, she impressed across the season with consistent performances and standout moments, including goals, assists and a growing defensive presence. These achievements led to Grace being named the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year in 2024 and included in both the PFA WSL Team of the Year and the Barclays WSL Team of the Season. She returned to Manchester United in the 2024–25 season, scored on her league debut and signed a one-year contract extension.

Grace is a strong choice for organisations looking to inspire audiences with a story of talent, perseverance and growth. Her keynote talks explore topics such as leadership in sport, overcoming self-doubt, adapting to high-pressure environments, and navigating a young career in a changing industry. She speaks with honesty and clarity about the demands of elite sport, the challenges facing young athletes, and the momentum behind women’s football today. Grace’s journey resonates with a wide range of audiences - from school groups and sports teams to corporate leadership events - making her an inspiring voice in and beyond football.