Transferring from Arsenal to Manchester Metropolis these days is smart for lots of WSL gamers, with each side extraordinarily aggressive on the high of the ladies’s sport – 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 drive, however Arsenal had confirmed repeatedly their skill 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 change for a venture.
Steph Houghton gave up her Arsenal captaincy to affix Manchester Metropolis
Steph Houghton received many trophies with Arsenal (Picture credit score: Bryn Lennon/Getty Pictures)
“I used to be Arsenal captain and I actually loved it there, however when Man Metropolis come calling, it’s a must to hear,” Houghton tells FourFourTwo. “ Their males’s workforce was growing a lot, I felt they have been probably going to do the identical with the ladies’s workforce.
“As soon as I’d listened to what they needed to do, not simply with the workforce however in and across the coaching floor and metropolis, I purchased into it. It was the flexibility to coach each single day, too.”
Houghton had nice success enjoying for Manchester Metropolis
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 prepare alongside the Manchester Metropolis U18s aspect with a purpose to enhance her skill 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. “Making an attempt to chase him round for 90 minutes was powerful! However I cherished it.
“Solely 5 – 6 of us skilled full-time. Jason Wilcox was the Beneath-18s supervisor and he was actually good with us, simply treating us just like the lads.”
Houghton is without doubt one of 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 workforce .
She made her debut for her nation in 2007 whereas enjoying for Sunderland, earlier than occurring 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 choosing her for the nationwide workforce – her final cap coming in 2021.
