Transferring from Arsenal to Manchester Metropolis these days is smart for lots of WSL gamers, with either side extraordinarily aggressive on the high of the ladies’s recreation – however in 2013, they have been incomparable.
Within the 2013 WSL season, Arsenal had simply missed out on the Champions League by ending third, whereas Manchester Metropolis have been merely awarded direct entry into the primary division for the 2014 season, no matter their leads to 2013. True, Metropolis have been the rising power, however Arsenal had confirmed repeatedly their capability to win trophies.
For Arsenal defender Steph Houghton, that did not little to dampen her enthusiasm. Signing a contract with Manchester Metropolis for the beginning of the 2014 season, Houghton was giving up her captaincy in alternate for a venture.
Steph Houghton gave up her Arsenal captaincy to hitch Manchester Metropolis
“I used to be Arsenal captain and I actually loved it there, however when Man Metropolis come calling, it’s important to pay attention,” Houghton tells FourFourTwo. “Their males’s group was growing a lot, I felt they have been doubtlessly going to do the identical with the ladies’s group.
“As soon as I’d listened to what they wished to do, not simply with the group however in and across the coaching floor and metropolis, I purchased into it. It was the power to coach each single day, too.”
Houghton, who additionally performed for Sunderland and Leeds Carnegie in her profession, received eight trophies with the Sky Blues and completed as league runners-up on seven extra events. Whereas she may simply have added extra silverware at Metropolis, the medals she did win undoubtedly vindicates her resolution.
Although now retired, when Houghton was enjoying she would typically practice alongside the Manchester Metropolis U18s facet to be able to increase her capability and health. Whereas doing so, she got here throughout a younger Phil Foden.
“He was in all probability 14 and also you knew he was going to make it,” Houghton provides. “Attempting to chase him round for 90 minutes was robust! However I liked it.
“Solely 5 or 6 of us educated full-time. Jason Wilcox was the Below-18s supervisor and he was actually good with us, simply treating us just like the lads.”
Houghton is among the greatest gamers to ever play in England, in FourFourTwo’s view. In addition to her contributions to completely different golf equipment, she was additionally a stalwart for England’s nationwide group.
She made her debut for her nation in 2007 whereas enjoying for Sunderland, earlier than happening to win 121 caps, 72 of which have been as captain. She was named skipper underneath head coach Mark Sampson in 2014, however Sarina Wiegman stopped deciding on her for the nationwide group – her final cap coming in 2021.
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