In the curtailed 2019/20 season, she followed up the previous season's goal scoring frenzy with another 11 goals in 13 games.

Sophie moved to study in the USA at the University of California at Irvine, who said the following," Sophie will be the first English player to play for UCI.  She is a striker with a record of goal-scoring at every level most recently with Exeter City in the England FA Women's National League.  Her experience at this level will be valuable as she transitions to the US college game."

In 2021 Sophie was named to All-Big West Freshman Tea and earned Big West Freshman of the Week twice, making her collegiate debut in season opener at UCLA starting and playing 65 minutes, and collected her first career goal and point with an 89th-minute tally in a 3-1 loss.

In 2022, Sophie scored three goals including in consecutive matches at CSUN and USC and Earned Winter Dean's List status

After a successful 3 seasons in the USA, Sophie rejoined Exeter Women, helping the team to a cup and league double. Sophie scored a hat-rick on the first game of the 2024/25 season, in a 7-0 win against Milton Keynes, Exeter first game in the 3rd tier of the Women's pyramid.

Sophie was the voted as "players" Player of the season at the Awards evening in May 25. 

In March 2025, Exeter City were delighted to announce that Sophie Gillies has become the first contracted women's player in the club's history!

"The striker, who leads the league's golden boot race with 17 goals so far this season, has been in electric form since City's promotion to the third tier"

All members of the Grecians' team were signed on as semi-professionals in the summer, however Sophie is the first player to be offered and commit to a fixed term contract. Sophie signed her contract at St James Park, joined by Abbie Britton and members of the Women's board. Thrilled with the news, Abbie Britton said: "We are delighted to have agreed a contract with Sophie, it demonstrates the intent of where we want to go as a football club and Sophie will be an important part of that progression. "Sophie has been outstanding on her return to Exeter City and has met the challenge of playing in tier three superbly, she has been a focal point of our attacking play alongside Sarah Stacey." "Sophie may be the first of our squad to be contracted, but she is on a list of many players that we want to keep at this football club and continue to help us grow." Executive Chair Jen Dixon said: "It's a crucial point in the development of Exeter City Women and an essential point in the club's investment in the women's game. "The signing of our first-ever fixed-term contracted player represents a vital step in providing the support, stability and professionalism to help continue our journey. "The results on the pitch this season have been fantastic and this news underlines our desure to compete at the highest level and inspire the next generation of female footballers in Exeter and beyond." 



Apperances and Goals 2025 onwards 

To the start of the 2025/26 season Sophie had scored 81 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for Exeter City WFC 

Playing Record

Kings Sch Taunton	2016/17	-	-
Plymouth Devt	2017/18	-	-
Exeter City	2018/19	20	43
Exeter City	2019/20	13	11
Exeter City	Total	33	54
UC Irvine	2020/21	19	4
UC Irvine	2021/22	19	3
UC Irvine	2022/23	22	0
UC Irvine	Total	60	7
Exeter City	2023/24	12	4
Exeter City	2024/25	28	23
Exeter City	2025/26	29	20
Exeter City	Total	69	47

Other information 

Sophie scored her 100th goal on the 29th October 2025 against Plymouth Argyle at St James Park and made 100 appearances for the Grecians on the 22nd February 2026 at Lewes.

At the end of the 2025/26, Exeter City Football Club confirmed  that women's team player Sophie Gillies will depart the club this summer following the expiry of her contract, to pursue a new opportunity.

Sophie, who scored an incredible 109 goals in 106 appearances across two spells with the Grecians, leaves having written her name into the club's history through two promotions and helping establish City at tier three level. 

After joining the club's first team as a 16-year-old in tier five, the striker netted 50 goals in her first season while still at school, as City stormed to the South West Regional Premier title in 2019.

Sophie became the first contracted player in the club's history, and later scored her 100th goal for the club at St James Park against Plymouth Argyle in October 2025, before reaching a century of appearances away at Lewes.

Alongside appearing for City on the pitch, Sophie also worked behind the scenes at the club, helping to grow and engage the women's team supporter base and commercial partnerships through several initiatives, while also operational side of the team.

City Women Manager Abbie Britton said: "I've known Sophie for over 10 years and have had the privilege of playing alongside, managing and working with her off the pitch, seeing first-hand the impact she's had at this football club. 

"From lifting the Tier Five trophy with Sophie fresh out the GDC, to playing her at left wing-back during our title win (I'm not sure I'll ever live that down), we've been on a journey with Sophie and her amazing family, and I'm really excited to see what is next for her."

Fulham FC Women were pleased to announce the signing of forward Sophie Gillies on the 23rd July 2026