Essential Football

'An icon of the game' | Ex-England Captain Steph Houghton Announces Retirement

Listen on

Episode notes

Manchester City defender and former England captain Steph Houghton has announced her retirement from football at the end of the season. Houghton is City's most decorated player - she's won the League, FA Cups, League Cups, and earnt 121 England caps.  

In 2020, Steph joined Caroline Barker to look back at one of her proudest moments in an England shirt, at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. Ultimately, Steph was part of the team that suffered a heart-breaking last minute defeat to Japan in the semi finals, but as she says, it "changed women's football for the better". 

Here’s a chance to relive that tournament, that moment, and that interview.