Carly Telford built her reputation as one of England’s most experienced female goalkeepers before creating an equally interesting career beyond the pitch. The former Lioness represented England at major international tournaments, played for leading clubs including Chelsea and San Diego Wave, and earned selection for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics. After retiring from professional football in 2023, she returned to Chelsea FC Women in a commercial role and has since expanded her work into business, media and women’s sport. Now 39, Telford remains closely connected to elite football while helping shape opportunities for the next generation.
Who Is Carly Telford?
Carly Mitchell Telford is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. She was born on 7 July 1987 in north-east England and has strong roots in the Newcastle and County Durham area. She proudly describes herself as a Geordie and has maintained a close connection with the region throughout her career.
Telford stands about 1.74 metres, or 5 feet 9 inches, tall. Her height, positioning, experience and ability to organise a defence helped her become a respected goalkeeper at club and international level. She played professional football for roughly two decades before retiring in March 2023.
Her career included spells with Sunderland, Leeds, Chelsea, Notts County, Perth Glory and San Diego Wave. At international level, she represented England and was also selected for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics.
Carly Telford Age and Early Life
Born on 7 July 1987, Carly Telford is 39 years old in 2026. Football became an important part of her life while she was growing up in the North East. She developed through the English game at a time when women’s football had far fewer professional opportunities than it has today.
Her progression therefore took place during a major period of change in the sport. She experienced the growth of the Women’s Super League, improved professional standards, larger crowds, stronger commercial investment and greater international attention.
Telford studied Sport and Exercise at Gateshead College between 2006 and 2008, earning Merit and Distinction grades. She later attended Nottingham Trent University from 2015 to 2018. Her education ran alongside a demanding football career and helped broaden her experience beyond the pitch.
Carly Telford Before Full-Time Football
Before women’s football offered the level of professional support available today, Telford also experienced employment outside sport. Her professional background includes administrative work with T-Mobile Phone Zone between 2006 and 2008.
That period is an important reminder of how much women’s football has changed during her lifetime. Telford belonged to a generation that helped move the English women’s game towards the professional environment enjoyed by current players.
Carly Telford England Career
Carly Telford made her senior England debut against Scotland on 11 March 2007. She went on to earn 27 senior England caps and spent many years competing for a place among the country’s leading goalkeepers.
Her England career included involvement in several major tournaments. She travelled to the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup soon after making her senior debut and later remained part of the national-team set-up during an increasingly successful era for the Lionesses.
She was part of the England squad that finished third at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, one of the most important achievements in the development of the modern Lionesses. England’s performance helped introduce a much larger British audience to the women’s national team.
2019 World Cup and SheBelieves Cup
Telford enjoyed another significant international year in 2019. England won the SheBelieves Cup, and she received valuable playing time during the tournament. She was then selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
At the World Cup, she started against Argentina and later played in England’s semi-final against the United States. Playing in a World Cup semi-final was one of the most important appearances of her international career.
Her time with England placed her within a generation that helped push the Lionesses towards the position they hold in British sport today.
Carly Telford and Team GB
Carly Telford added Olympian to her career achievements when she joined Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which took place in 2021 following the global delay.
The Olympic selection came after goalkeeper Karen Bardsley withdrew through injury. For Telford, representing Great Britain at the Olympics provided another major honour after years with England.
Great Britain should not, however, be described as her current team. Telford is retired from professional football and has no active playing team in 2026.
Carly Telford Club Career
Telford’s club career stretched across England, Australia and the United States. Her early senior years included Sunderland before she moved to Leeds. She later joined Chelsea and became strongly associated with the London club across two spells.
She also represented Perth Glory in Australia and spent an important period with Notts County before returning to Chelsea in 2017.
Chelsea FC Women
Chelsea became the club most closely connected with Telford’s career. She made dozens of appearances across her spells with the team and was part of an era when Chelsea Women developed into one of the strongest sides in England.
During her time with the club, Chelsea collected league titles and major domestic trophies. Telford brought experience to the goalkeeping department and also became involved in supporting younger players.
Her association with Chelsea eventually developed beyond playing, creating the foundation for her post-retirement career.
San Diego Wave and Retirement
In January 2022, Telford left Chelsea for San Diego Wave FC in the United States. The move gave her an opportunity to experience the National Women’s Soccer League during the final stage of her playing career.
She made appearances during San Diego Wave’s inaugural season and contributed to the new club’s development. On 15 March 2023, she announced her retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
Her retirement ended approximately two decades at senior level, but it did not end her involvement in women’s football.
What Does Carly Telford Do Now?
Telford returned to Chelsea FC Women in July 2023 as Commercial Player and Relationships Manager. Her current social media describes her more simply as the club’s Commercial Manager.
The position focuses on helping brands and commercial partners understand the value of Chelsea Women, its players and the wider growth of women’s football. Telford has spoken about wanting Chelsea to become one of the strongest women’s sporting brands globally.
Her experience as a former player gives her valuable insight into both sides of the relationship. She understands what athletes need while also recognising the importance of sponsorship, brand partnerships and long-term investment.
She continues to represent Chelsea during events and international promotional activity. In August 2026, she was involved in Chelsea-related content in Sydney as the women’s team prepared for an event against A-Leagues All Stars.
Carly Telford and Club Maia
Telford has also moved into entrepreneurship through Club Maia, a women’s golf community created with Lucy Monkman. The project brings together sport, social experiences, music and community while encouraging more women to enjoy golf.
Club Maia held its opening event at Pitch in London during July 2026. The event attracted commercial partners from golf, drinks, lifestyle and sport.
The venture reflects Telford’s growing interest in creating opportunities beyond football. Rather than leaving sport after retirement, she has used her experience and network to support new communities for women.
Carly Telford Business Interests
Telford is also the director of CT28 Productions Ltd, an active British company incorporated in 2023. She became its director on 8 May 2023, shortly after ending her playing career.
Companies House records confirm her British nationality and residence in the United Kingdom. The company remains active in 2026.
She previously had a business connection with former partner Georgia Elwiss through DASH COFFEE LTD. Both women were connected with the business when it was established in 2021, although Telford’s significant-control position ended in April 2022. DASH COFFEE LTD was later dissolved.
Carly Telford Partner and Personal Life
Telford was previously in a relationship with former England cricketer Georgia Elwiss. Their relationship was openly known during the late 2010s, and Telford referred to Elwiss as her girlfriend during the period when both women were representing England in their respective sports.
The pair also worked together on charitable fundraising, including the Team Telford + Elwiss 500K challenge in 2020.
Their relationship later ended. Elwiss has been in a relationship with Nicole Bailey since late 2022, with the couple sharing their life together openly through social media.
Who Is Carly Telford’s Current Partner?
As of 2026, Telford has not publicly confirmed a current partner through dependable recent material. Georgia Elwiss should therefore be described as her former partner rather than her current girlfriend.
There is also no firm evidence confirming that Telford is currently married or engaged. Her recent online presence concentrates mainly on Chelsea, golf, friends, family, travel and professional projects.
Carly Telford Social Media
Telford maintains a large audience online under @carlytelford1. In August 2026, her Instagram account had approximately 96,000 followers, while her X account had about 46,700 followers.
Her current Instagram description identifies her as a Geordie, Chelsea Women commercial manager and former goalkeeper for Chelsea, San Diego Wave and England. Her social channels now reflect her transition from athlete to football executive, entrepreneur and ambassador for women’s sport.
Conclusion
Carly Telford’s career tells the story of both personal achievement and the growth of women’s football in England. She progressed from the North East to international football, represented the Lionesses at World Cups, became an Olympian and enjoyed successful spells with leading clubs including Chelsea.
Retirement in 2023 opened a new stage rather than closing her connection with sport. Today, she works as Commercial Manager for Chelsea FC Women, directs CT28 Productions Ltd and is helping develop Club Maia as a new women’s golf community. At 39, Telford has successfully moved from elite goalkeeper to commercial leader and entrepreneur while remaining an influential figure in British women’s sport.
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