Anderton began her career with Preston North End Girls, later joining Tranmere Rovers Ladies. She joined Blackburn Rovers Ladies in 2003 and has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in the club's history. She captained the team during the 2003-04 season, when Rovers won promotion to the FA Women's Premier League Northern Divisionfor the first time. In 2006 Rovers were promoted to the FA Women's Premier League National Division. In February 2007, Anderton signed a three-month deal to play for AmericanWomen's Premier Soccer League team FC Indiana from May that year, returning to the UK in time for the start of the 2007-08 season. Indiana's coach Shek Borkowski already boasted a star-studded forward line, including Elena Danilova, Mónica Ocampo and Lauren Sesselmann. Anderton reportedly signed for FA WSL club Doncaster Rovers Belles on 1 June 2010. However, she continued to play for Blackburn and when The Belles announced their final squad in February 2011 Anderton was not present. It was later reported that anterior cruciate ligament damage scuppered the transfer. Anderton eventually departed Rovers as a club legend and record goalscorer during the winter break of the 2010-11 campaign. She joined Blackburn for a second spell in October 2011, scoring three goals from seven league starts from a deeper midfield role in 2011–12. In 2014 Anderton returned to Blackburn for a third spell, having spent part of the previous season with rivals Preston North End.
International career
Anderton has represented England at Under-16 level, scoring for England against Scotland in 1999 in what was reported as the first ever female game to be played at Wembley. However, she suffered from homesickness and decided to quit international football aged 18 years. She was named in England coach Hope Powell's 30-player squad ahead of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, but was one of the players to miss the cut when the final squad was announced. In January 2008 Anderton cited personal reasons for her late withdrawal from the England squad's annual training trip to La Manga Club. Anderton has also represented Great Britain at the World University Games, playing in the 2009 tournament in Belgrade.
Personal life
Anderton attended Corpus Christi High School before studying Leisure and Recreation on a scholarship at Preston College. She later attended the University of Bolton. Despite her long association with Blackburn Rovers Ladies, Anderton remains a Preston North End supporter. She wears the number 8 on her shirt, in homage to her girlhood hero, former men's footballer Paul Gascoigne.
