Gabriella Fern Whelan (born 5 December 1988)[2] is an English former professional footballer who played for Brighton & Hove Albion W.F.C.
After playing in every round of the 2007–08 FA Women's Premier League Cup, Whelan missed Everton's 1–0 final win over Arsenal when she injured her cruciate ligaments in January 2008.
[2][8] In the 2010 FA Women's Cup Final, Whelan came on as a second-half substitute for Rachel Unitt as Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 in extra time.
[12] In March 2017, Whelan agreed an extension to her Notts County contract,[13] only for the club to fold on the eve of the FA WSL Spring Series season.
During the tournament she suffered a recurrence of her cruciate ligament injury and underwent surgery which kept her out for nearly two years, causing her to miss the 2012 Olympic Games and UEFA Women's Euro 2013.
[22] Whelan was allotted 177 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.