Karen Burke

Club career

Burke only took up football aged 21, with a spell at St. Helens. In 1994 she reached her first FA Women's Cup final with Knowsley United. Burke hit the crossbar in injury–time as Knowsley lost 1–0 to Doncaster Belles. In the following year's final, with Knowsley now known as Liverpool Ladies, player–of–the–match Burke twice put them ahead against Arsenal, only for Marieanne Spacey to seal a 3–2 win for The Gunners. In summer 1995 Burke agreed to join Everton Ladies, but changed her mind when Liverpool appointed John Bennison — a professional coach from the Liverpool F.C. "Boot Room".

In April 1996 Burke lost her third consecutive FA Women's Cup final to Croydon, on penalties after a 1–1 draw at The New Den. Luckless Burke had given Liverpool the lead and converted her penalty in the shoot–out. She finally joined Everton Ladies in the 1997 close season and won the Premier League title in 1997–1998. She played in Iceland in summer 1998, 1999 and 2000, with ÍBV.

In 2000 Burke and team–mate Becky Easton joined Doncaster Belles. Burke would travel twice weekly to Doncaster from her base in Liverpool, where she worked in a pub. The 2002 FA Women's Cup Final was Burke's fourth unsuccessful appearance, as Doncaster were beaten 2–1 by the full–time professionals of Fulham.

Burke moved to Leeds United Ladies for 2002–2003 before spending the 2003 close season back with Icelandic side ÍBV. She returned to Doncaster Belles for 2003–2004, before joining an exodus of players brought about by a cash–crisis and moving back to Leeds, via another stint at ÍBV. Burke then suffered more FA Women's Cup final disappointment with Leeds United Ladies, in their 5–0 defeat against Arsenal in 2006.

Burke left Leeds to join Blackburn Rovers Ladies in the 2007 close season. Although signed as an attacking midfielder, she moved to right–back for the 2009–10 season.

International career

Burke has won over 50 caps for the England senior team.

International goals

Blackburn statistics

To October 2009