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Steph Houghton

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Stephanie Jayne Darby[1] MBE (née Houghton, /ˈhoʊtən/,[4] born 23 April 1988), commonly known as Steph Houghton, is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Known for her leadership and commitment, Houghton was widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world during her career.[5][6]

Steph Houghton
MBE
Houghton in 2017
Personal information
Full name Stephanie Jayne Darby[1]
Birth name Stephanie Jayne Houghton[2]
Date of birth (1988-04-23) 23 April 1988 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Durham, England[3]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Sunderland 61 (24)
2007–2010 Leeds Carnegie 47 (9)
2010–2013 Arsenal 39 (7)
2014–2024 Manchester City 138 (17)
International career‡
2008 England U19 4 (0)
2010 England U23 3 (0)
2007–2021 England 121 (13)
2012–2021 Great Britain 8 (3)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  England
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Canada
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 04:05, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23 February 2021

At club level, Houghton started at Sunderland in her native North East England, before moving on to Leeds Carnegie in 2007, where she won the FA Women's Premier League Cup. In 2010, she joined Arsenal Ladies, where she won the FA WSL on two occasions and is a two-time winner of the FA Women's Cup and three-time winner of the FA WSL Cup. She broke into the Sunderland team as a striker before moving back into midfield and later into defence.

Since her debut in 2007, Houghton has played over 100 times for England women's national team.[7] She suffered serious injuries immediately before the 2007 World Cup and Euro 2009, but recovered to play in the 2011 World Cup and Euro 2013. She was made England captain in January 2014, and went on to captain her country at two World Cups and a Women's Euro, earning a bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Houghton scored three goals in Great Britain's four games, including winners against New Zealand and Brazil. She represented Great Britain again in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Houghton was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football.[8] She was awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland on 8 March 2023.[9][10]

Club career

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Houghton began her career playing for five years at Sunderland.[11] She helped Sunderland to win promotion from the Northern Division in 2005–06 and then won the FA Young Player of the Year Award in 2006–07. After Sunderland were relegated that season, Houghton became a target for Arsenal and Everton.[12] She eventually joined Leeds Carnegie.[12] After helping Leeds win the 2010 FA Women's Premier League Cup, Houghton signed for Arsenal in August of that year.[13]

On 5 December 2013, it was announced that Houghton had signed an agreement to leave Arsenal for new WSL side Manchester City on 1 January 2014.[14] Houghton signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City on 24 January 2020.[15]

On 27 March 2024, Houghton announced that she would retire from football at the end of the 2023–24 season.[16] She played her final game on 18 May, coming on for Alex Greenwood and taking the captain armband in the 66th minute of a 2–1 away league win over Aston Villa.[17][18]

International career

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England

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Houghton captaining England against Montenegro in April 2014

Houghton was involved with England at U16 schools, U19, U20, U21 and U23 level. She was called into the full squad for a match against Germany on 25 October 2006, when Katie Chapman withdrew with an illness.[citation needed] She was an unused substitute in the 5–1 defeat in Aalen.[19] She made her debut in the next match, replacing Emily Westwood after 73 minutes of a 6–0 win over Russia in Milton Keynes on 8 March 2007.[20] Her first start came three days later, in a 1–0 win over Scotland at Adams Park.[21] She missed the 2007 World Cup with a broken leg and Euro 2009 with a damaged cruciate ligament.[22]

In May 2009, Houghton was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association.[23] She played in all three games at UEFA Women's Euro 2013 as England finished in last place; she described the result as "a massive disappointment personally and collectively as a squad."[24] In January 2014, she was named the new captain for England's team under coach Mark Sampson, beginning on a 1–1 draw with Norway.[25]

For the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Houghton was again named England's team captain.[26] Houghton scored her first World Cup goal against Norway in the round of 16,[27] and was chosen Player of the Match during the quarterfinals with Canada, which qualified England for their first semi-finals ever.[28]

Houghton earned her 100th England cap on 11 November 2018 against Sweden at New York Stadium in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.[29][30] In May 2019, it was announced that Houghton had been selected for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.[31] She scored a goal in the Round of 16 match against Cameroon.[32]

Houghton was allotted 164 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England's inaugural international.[33]

Great Britain

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Houghton was called up to the first Great Britain women's side for the 2012 Summer Olympics as a defender. She became the team's record goalscorer from the left–back position, scoring in all three group games to help Great Britain to win the group with a 100% record, as well as making important challenges to help ensure the side progressed without conceding a goal. Houghton was also named left back of the tournament due to her outstanding performance during the games.[34]

She represented Great Britain again at the 2020 Summer Olympics, featuring three times during the tournament.[35][36][37]

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In October 2014, Houghton was the first female player to appear on the cover of Shoot magazine.[38]

Personal life

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Houghton is married to former Bradford City defender Stephen Darby.[39] They married on 21 June 2018.[40] On 18 September 2018, Darby announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.[39] She was recognised as one of the BBC's 100 women of 2017.[41]

In March 2023, Houghton received the Freedom of the City of Sunderland; at the ceremony, the Sunderland Echo asked how to pronounce her surname. Throughout her career, it has been typically pronounced as /ˈhɔːtən/ (HAW-tən), something which the newspaper reported "has irritated [her] for years", as she pronounces it as it is in the town name Houghton-le-Spring: /ˈhoʊtən/ (HOH-tən).[4]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 18 May 2024[42][43]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sunderland 2004–05 FA WPL Northern 22 16 0 0 — 22 16
2005–06 Women's Premier League 16 1 3 0 — 19 1
2006–07 Women's Premier League 23 7 1 0 — 24 7
Total 61 24 4 0 — 65 24
Leeds Carnegie 2007–08 Women's Premier League 14 2 0 0 — 14 2
2008–09 Women's Premier League 18 5 2 0 — 20 5
2009–10 Women's Premier League 15 2 0 0 — 15 2
Total 47 9 2 0 — 49 9
Arsenal 2011 Women's Super League 12 1 4 0 3 1 4 0 23 2
2012 Women's Super League 14 1 2 0 5 2 4 0 25 3
2013 Women's Super League 13 5 4 1 5 1 4 0 26 7
Total 39 7 10 1 13 4 12 0 74 12
Manchester City 2014 Women's Super League 13 0 2 0 7 1 — 22 1
2015 Women's Super League 11 3 1 0 6 1 — 18 4
2016 Women's Super League 16 2 3 0 4 0 2 0 25 2
2017 Women's Super League 8 0 4 1 0 0 3 0 15 1
2017–18 Women's Super League 15 2 1 0 7 0 8 1 31 3
2018–19 Women's Super League 20 3 2 1 6 0 1 0 29 4
2019–20 Women's Super League 16 2 2 0 6 0 4 0 28 2
2020–21 Women's Super League 16 2 1 0 3 0 3 0 23 2
2021–22 Women's Super League 5 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 9 1
2022–23 Women's Super League 14 2 2 0 6 0 2 0 24 2
2023–24 Women's Super League 4 0 1 0 4 0 — 9 0
Total 138 17 19 2 51 2 25 1 233 22
Career total 285 57 29 3 70 6 37 1 421 67

International

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Statistics accurate as of match played 27 July 2021.
Year England Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2007 ? 0 –
2008 ? 0 –
2009 ? 1 –
2010 ? 0 –
2011 ? 1 –
2012 ? 3 5 3
2013 10 1 –
2014 11 1 –
2015 14 1 –
2016 12 1 –
2017 15 2 –
2018 6 0 –
2019 17 2 –
2020 3 0 –
2021 1 0 3 0
Total 121 13 8 3
For England
Scores and results list England's goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 5 March 2009 GSZ Stadium, Larnaca, Cyprus   South Africa 4–0 6–0 2009 Cyprus Cup
2. 22 September 2011 County Ground, Swindon, England   Slovenia 3–0 4–0 Euro 2013 qualifying
3. 31 March 2012 Sajmište, Vrbovec, Croatia   Croatia 5–0 6–0
4. 6–0
5. 20 October 2012 Stade Sébastien Charléty, Paris, France   France 1–0 2–2 Friendly
6. 6 March 2013 GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus   Italy 2–2 4–2 2013 Cyprus Cup
7. 14 June 2014 Traktar Stadium, Minsk, Belarus   Belarus 2–0 3–0 2015 World Cup qualifying
8. 22 June 2015 Lansdowne Stadium, Ottawa, Canada   Norway 1–1 2–1 2015 World Cup
9. 25 October 2016 Estadio Pedro Escartín, Guadalajara, Spain   Spain 2–0 2–1 Friendly
10. 24 November 2017 Bescot Stadium, Walsall, England   Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 4–0 2019 World Cup qualifying
11. 3–0
12. 2 March 2019 Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States   United States 1–1 2–2 2019 SheBelieves Cup
13. 23 June 2019 Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes, France   Cameroon 1–0 3–0 2019 World Cup
For Great Britain
Scores and results list Great Britain's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 25 July 2012 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff   New Zealand 1–0 2012 Olympic Games
2 28 July 2012 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff   Cameroon 3–0 2012 Olympic Games
3 31 July 2012 Wembley Stadium, London   Brazil 1–0 2012 Olympic Games

Honours

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Houghton (right) with Ellen White and the FA WSL trophy

Leeds Carnegie[13]

Arsenal[44]

Manchester City[44]

England[44][45][46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Women's Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020: Squad list, Great Britain" (PDF). FIFA. 7 July 2021. p. 6. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: List of players: England" (PDF). FIFA. 6 July 2015. p. 10. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  3. ^ Hubbard, Alan (22 May 2011). "Houghton is football's Jill of all trades". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Steph Houghton confirms how to pronounce her surname after years of commentators getting it wrong". Sunderland Echo. 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  5. ^ Oatway, Caroline. "Steph Houghton: A true blue leader". Manchester City. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  6. ^ BBC News (27 March 2024). "Steph Houghton: Manchester City defender and ex-England captain to retire". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Stephanie Houghton". The FA. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  8. ^ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N20.
  9. ^ "Steph Houghton, Gary Bennett and Jill Scott given freedom of Sunderland". BBC News Tyne and Wear. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Photograph's of Steph Houghton's Freedom of the City Ceremony". Twitter. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Steph Houghton: England star, role model, leader". BBC Sport. 5 June 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Young star Steph joins Leeds". 30 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Houghton and Nobbs join Arsenal". UEFA. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Steph Houghton signs for City". ManCity.com. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Steph Houghton: Manchester City and England captain extends contract to 2022". BBC Sport. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Steph Houghton: Manchester City defender and ex-England captain to retire". BBC Sport. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  17. ^ Pozzoli, Martina (22 May 2024). "Steph Houghton dice addio al calcio giocato". L Football. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  18. ^ Downey, Sophie (18 May 2024). "Manchester City suffer WSL title agony despite win at Aston Villa". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Germany Women 5–1 England Women". BBC. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  20. ^ "England Women 6–0 Russia Women". BBC. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  21. ^ "England Women 1–0 Scotland Women". BBC. 11 March 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  22. ^ Leighton, Tony (14 May 2009). "Steph Houghton rejoins England squad after two years of injury agony". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  23. ^ "England Women awarded contracts". BBC Sport. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  24. ^ Moore, Leigh (29 August 2013). "Houghton's Euro pain eased by Arsenal form". BT Sport. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  25. ^ Wilson, Scott (19 January 2014). "North-Easterner Houghton expresses pride at captaining England". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  26. ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 May 2015). "England squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  27. ^ "England comeback sinks former champs". FIFA. 22 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  28. ^ "ENGLAND 2–1 CANADA". FIFA. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015.
  29. ^ Garry, Tom (11 November 2018). "England Women 0–2 Sweden Women: Lionesses lose in skipper Steph Houghton's 100th cap". BBC Sport.
  30. ^ Taylor, Louise (10 November 2018). "Stage set for England to honour 'humble, brilliant' Steph Houghton". The Guardian.
  31. ^ "England Women's World Cup 2019 squad: Team updates, fixtures, injury news and more". The Telegraph. 23 May 2019. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  32. ^ "England beat Cameroon to reach quarter-finals amid VAR drama". The Guardian. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  33. ^ Lacey-Hatton, Jack (18 November 2022). "Lionesses introduce 'legacy numbers' for players past and present". mirror. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Triple goal scorer Steph Houghton 'bends like Beckham'". BBC Sport. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  35. ^ Sanders, Emma (21 July 2021). "GB 2–0 Chile". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  36. ^ Sanders, Emma (24 July 2021). "Japan 0–1 GB". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  37. ^ Sanders, Emma (30 July 2021). "GB 3–4 Australia (AET)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  38. ^ Cooper, Glenda (9 July 2015). "Steph Houghton: 'I'm still getting used to being recognised in Topshop'". The Daily Telegraph.
  39. ^ a b "Stephen Darby: Motor neurone disease diagnosis forces Bolton full-back to retire". BBC Sport. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  40. ^ Lewis, Isobel (27 June 2019). "England Lionesses captain Steph Houghton celebrates first wedding anniversary with husband Stephen Darby". Hello!. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  41. ^ "BBC 100 Women 2017: Who is on the list?". BBC News. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  42. ^ "STEPHANIE HOUGHTON player stats | the FA Women's National League".
  43. ^ "England - S. Houghton - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway.
  44. ^ a b c "S. Houghton". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  45. ^ "Match for third place – Match report" (PDF). FIFA. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  46. ^ Leighton, Tony (12 March 2009). "England women win Cyprus Cup". The Guardian.
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