Steph Houghton, the stalwart defender for Manchester City and former captain of England, has announced her retirement, bringing an illustrious career to a close at the end of the ongoing Women’s Super League season. At 35, Houghton holds the record for the most appearances for Manchester City and is currently part of the squad vying for the WSL title this season.
With 121 caps for England, she has been a towering presence on the field, although her last appearance for the national team dates back to 2021.Reflecting on her journey, Houghton, who kickstarted her career with Sunderland in 2002, expressed her desire to leave a positive mark on the game. “I hope I leave the game in a better place than when I started,” she remarked, emphasizing her aspiration to pave the way for future generations of female footballers.
Having traversed through Sunderland, Leeds, and Arsenal before settling at Manchester City in 2014, Houghton’s career has been adorned with accolades, including an MBE in 2016 for her contributions to women’s football.Despite enduring setbacks such as missing out on Euro 2022 due to an Achilles injury and being excluded from last year’s World Cup squad, Houghton’s impact on the sport remains indelible.
Her international career, which saw her grace two World Cups and two European Championships, also included representing Team GB at the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. As she bids farewell to the pitch, Houghton acknowledges the bittersweet nature of retirement, describing football as her life’s passion and expressing gratitude for the career she has cherished.Messages of appreciation have poured in from fellow players and coaches, with the Lionesses extending their best wishes for her retirement.
England’s current coach, Sarina Wiegman, lauded Houghton’s remarkable career and acknowledged her role in inspiring countless young girls to pursue football. Looking ahead, as Houghton embarks on the next chapter of her life, the footballing community stands poised to honor her legacy, celebrating the achievements of a true trailblazer in the women’s game.
