Former England captain Steph Houghton recently announced her retirement from football, citing the need to prioritize her family. Houghton, who is married to former Liverpool and Bradford City defender Stephen Darby, felt it was the right time to step away from the sport despite her love for it.
Houghton began her career at Sunderland in 2002 before playing for Leeds and Arsenal. She joined Manchester City in 2014 and became their record appearance holder, playing in 241 games and winning eight major trophies. Houghton’s achievements in women’s football earned her an MBE in 2016.
However, this season, Houghton struggled for game time, making only five league appearances as City narrowly missed out on the Women’s Super League title. She admits that she was not receiving enough reward for the time and energy she invested in football this year. The mental strain of always being under pressure to perform took its toll.
The decision to retire was also influenced by Houghton’s husband Stephen’s battle with motor neurone disease. Houghton wants to be more unselfish with her time and create more memories with him. Family means everything to her, and they have always been there throughout her career.
Looking ahead, Houghton is assessing her options for the future. While she is currently working on her coaching badges, she does not have a burning desire to be on the pitch and coach. Instead, she wants to leave her options open and find what she truly wants to do. Houghton believes she can still utilize her leadership traits and show her personality in whatever role she takes on. She wants to maintain a winner’s mentality and be the best at everything she does.
Houghton’s retirement marks the end of a successful international career as well. She played in two World Cups, two European Championships, and two Olympic Games for Team GB. Her contributions to women’s football have been immense, and she will undoubtedly be missed on the pitch.
While it was a tough decision for Houghton to retire, prioritizing her family and finding a better work-life balance were crucial factors. She hopes to create more memories with her husband and spend quality time with her loved ones. Houghton’s retirement not only highlights the challenges faced by athletes but also the importance of finding fulfillment outside of the sport.