Kristy Moore’s primary ambition was to play Australian Rules Football using her love of speed and agility, but she couldn’t because there were no competitions for girls at that time.
Kristy Moore has earned more than a few frequent flyer points on her football journey.
She was born in Woodville, South Australia, but by virtue of her mother being English, she held dual citizenship, subsequently giving her eligibility to represent Australia and England.
And she did.
However, before that, her primary desire was to play Australian Rules Football using her love of speed and agility, but she couldn’t because there were no competitions for girls at that time.
So, she turned her attention and skills to the world game instead. Her career began playing in the mixed boys’/girls primary grades for Elizabeth Vale, then for Brahma Lodge at age 14.
Moore made her debut for Australia as a substitute against Sweden in August 1997. In her first start, against Hungary, she scored Australia’s second goal in a 4–0 win.
All her seven full international appearances occurred in 1997, six during Australia’s tour of Europe.
Unusual circumstances prevailed around her playing for England. Then manager, Hope Powell, contacted her, in need of a centre forward because a key player was injured, and one had retired due to a fear of flying.
FIFA ultimately gave permission for Moore to wear the English jersey as her appearances for Australia were all in friendly matches. Her England debut came in July 2002.
Initially, she played professional club football in England for Fulham, then moved to Norway playing with Toppserien from 2003 to 2011, becoming one of the most prolific goal scorers in the club’s history.
Then, having been away for about 15 years, Kristy Moore decided to return to Australia in 2012 and joined Adelaide United in the W-League.
Between W-League seasons, she moved to California in 2013 to play for the LA Strikers in the US Soccer League’s W-League.
As a 37-year-old, Kristy Moore was selected as captain of Adelaide United (the Lady Reds) in her third successive season, in 2014 under coach Ross Aloisi, and won the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards.
It was to be Kristy Moore’s final season before retiring from an elite, skilled, and colourful career.
In 2017, Kristy was inducted into the Football SA Hall of Fame as a Member for Outstanding Performance.
