Ex-Lionesses captain Steph Houghton will be honoured at Wembley ahead of England's clash with Germany on October 25, following her recent retirement.
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Houghton retired at end of 2023-24 seasonHad incredible club career and for the LionessesAchievements to be recognised at next England gameFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Houghton made the difficult decision to hang up her boots at the end of the 2023-24 season, bringing to an end a 22-year senior career which saw her lift 16 major honours – with Leeds Carnegie, Arsenal and Manchester City – and win 121 England caps.
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Now, the Football Association (FA) has unveiled plans to honour Houghton with a retirement ceremony, ahead of the Lionesses' friendly match against Germany at Wembley on October 25.
WHAT HOUGHTON SAID
"It was the greatest honour and privilege of my football career to have represented England, and then to go on to captain my country for eight years," Houghton said, upon the announcement of the news. “My time with England coincided with huge changes in women’s football, as we went through the period of amateur to professional. As I have said before, I hope that I left the game in a better place than when I came into it and that I contributed in some small way to giving the next generation of players a better future. I was fortunate to have played with amazing players and absolute legends of the game. I learned from managers, coaches and support staff at every camp and tournament. I will forever look back on some amazing memories and it will be special to go back to Wembley and say goodbye to the superb England fans”.
Kay Cossington, the FA’s women’s technical director, added: “I am delighted we can all come together with the fans at Wembley Stadium on a very special night and pay tribute to Steph’s remarkable England career. Steph’s impact and leadership has played a pivotal role in the Lionesses’ journey. We are all indebted to her contribution and this is our way to say thank you for everything she has done, not just for England, but for the whole of the women’s game. I hope Steph remains involved in the sport, using her expert knowledge and passion to continue to drive progress and help preserve the unique identity and values of women’s football. There’s no doubt she is, and will always be remembered as, a Lionesses legend.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Houghton has some incredible moments at Wembley in her career. It was the scene for her famous winner for Great Britain against Brazil in the 2012 Olympic Games, a tournament which did a lot for the women's game domestically, and where she lifted the Women's FA Cup on three occasions, as captain of Man City.