Former England Lionesses captain and Manchester City defender Steph Houghton is to retire at the end of the current WSL season, so let’s take a look back at her career and how she managed to become such an inspiration.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed a career spanning just over 20 years, she signed for Sunderland in 2002 and has gone on to play for Leeds, Arsenal, and her current club, Manchester City.
She has made over 400 appearances for her respective clubs and will retire a WSL legend.
Over the last few seasons, she has faded in terms of appearances and being a regular starter at both club and international level due to injuries. However, she has continued inspiring many young girls to get involved with football and has become more of a mentor, especially for City teammates Chloe Kelly and Jess Park.
Houghton, signed for Man City in 2014. During her ten years at the club, she has won eight major trophies including their one and only WSL title in 2016, has scored many important goals, and has established herself as a remarkable person and club legend.
With Gareth Taylor’s side also challenging for the title this season, she could bow out from the game in the perfect way, with one final WSL trophy.
When she was at the Gunners, she won the WSL twice, two FA Cups and three WSL cups.
121 caps for her country as well as being captain for eight years…
As well as at club level, Houghton has also had an extraordinary international career with the Lionesses. She was the face of women’s football in England for a long while; deservedly achieving 121 caps for her country and was captain for eight years.
Although she never won a major trophy with England, she did lead her side to a third-place finish at the Women’s World Cup in 2015 which kickstarted the Lionesses rise to fame. As well as that, she led her side to the semi-final of the 2017 Women’s Euros and the 2019 Women’s World Cup (WWC).
Her last appearance at a major tournament was the 2019 WWC semi-final against eventual winners USA, where she missed a penalty to draw England level in the 84th minute. After the game, she proved how much of a true leader she is as she shouldered the responsibility for her side’s exit from the tournament.
Although the Lionesses exit from the World Cup in 2019 was heartbreaking for Steph, over the years she has scored some vital goals for her country and that is how she should be remembered.
For being an incredible captain and one of the players who paved the way for women’s football in England for years to come.
Other career achievements
- One of the first female players to be given a central contract by the FA.
- Represented Team GB at two Olympic Games – London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.
- Became the first female player to appear on the cover of ‘Shoot Magazine’.
- Awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2016 for her services to football.
- Received Freedom of the City of Sunderland in March 2023.
Punditry, coaching, or time away from the game with her husband – what comes next?
Back in 2018, Houghton’s husband former Bradford City and Liverpool defender Stephen Darby was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and despite still playing for City and captaining England she began to raise awareness of the illness.
Just three days before announcing her retirement, the 35-year-old helped her husband complete his 178-mile march from Bradford to Liverpool. A total of £130,000 was raised for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
So of course raising awareness of MND through the foundation will remain a priority for Houghton but she won’t be short of offers to stay involved with women’s football in some way.
Former City and England striker and Houghton’s best friend Ellen White told the Manchester City website:
“She’s so technically gifted and tactically astute – she could be a coach or a manager when she retires. She has a phenomenal career ahead of her – big places to go.”
White’s point was also backed up by Chelsea boss Emma Hayes as during a press conference on Wednesday she said:
“I don’t wish coaching on anyone but if she wants to do it, I think she would be a great asset to someone.
“I’m sure she has some other really important life challenges ahead. She’s someone I admire and respect for the way she carries herself. I wish her the best of luck in whatever she does.”
Houghton has also appeared as a pundit both on BBC Sport and Sky Sports recently so being part of the media coverage of the women’s game is also another option she has for the future.
Nevertheless, whatever she does in the future, Steph Houghton retires as a true legend of women’s football in England especially in her hometown of Durham.