Schillaci is from the London Borough of Enfield in north London, England. She grew up in a family of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporters and played football with her brothers during her childhood.[3][4] As a 16-year-old she joined Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and immediately went into the first team, playing in the Greater London Women's Football League and FA Women's Cup.[5]
After one season, Schillaci left Tottenham Hotspur.[1] She moved to play for Queens Park Rangers and later Langford, then Enfield Town.[1][4] She returned to Tottenham in summer 2009.[6]
As a utility player, Schillaci featured in midfield or at full back for Spurs.[2] After several seasons, she deputised as a central defender and remained permanently in the role after that.[3] She was particularly proud to captain Spurs to the 2016–17 FA Women's Premier League Southern Division title, secured by beating West Ham at her beloved White Hart Lane.[4]
In 2019 Schillaci was among 11 of Spurs' existing players to be offered a full-time professional contract to remain with the club following their promotion to the FA Women's Super League.[7] Reflecting on the progress made since her humble beginnings at the club, she described the development as: "amazing, a dream come true".[8]
Schillaci made her top division debut in Spurs' 1–0 defeat by Chelsea, played before 24,564 spectators at Stamford Bridge. After the match, she told reporters: "We're not in this league to make up the numbers".[9] The 2019–20 FA WSL season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and 36-year-old Schillaci announced her playing retirement in June 2020.[10]
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