Steph Houghton

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Steph Houghton
MBE
Arsenal LFC v Kelly Smith All-Stars XI (189) (cropped).jpg
Steph Houghton
Personal information
Full name Stephanie Jayne Darby[1]
Birth name Stephanie Jayne Houghton[2]
Date of birth (1988-04-23) 23 April 1988 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Durham, England[3]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)[2]
Position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Manchester City
Number 6
Youth career
Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Sunderland
2007–2010 Leeds United 45 (9)
2010–2013 Arsenal 74 (11)
2014– Manchester City 81 (10)
National team‡
2008 England U19 4 (0)
2010 England U23 3 (0)
2007– England 121 (13)
2012– Great Britain 8 (3)
Honours
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:40, 21 April 2019 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23 February 2021

Stephanie Jayne Darby[1] MBE (née Houghton; /ˈhɔːtən/; born 23 April 1988) is an English footballer who plays for and captains both Manchester City and the England national team.[4] At club level, Houghton started at Sunderland in her native North East England before moving on to Leeds United in 2007 then Arsenal Ladies in 2010. 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 the England national team. 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. At the 2012 London Olympics, Houghton scored three goals in Great Britain's four games, including winners against New Zealand and Brazil.

Houghton was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football.[5]

Club career[]

Houghton began her career playing for five years at Sunderland.[6] 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.[7] She eventually joined Leeds United Ladies.[7] After helping Leeds win the 2010 FA Women's Premier League Cup, Houghton signed for Arsenal in August of that year.[8]

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.[9] Houghton signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester City on 24 January 2020.[10]

International career[]

England[]

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.[11] 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.[12] Her first start came three days later, in a 1–0 win over Scotland at Adams Park.[13] She missed the 2007 World Cup with a broken leg and Euro 2009 with a damaged cruciate ligament.[14]

In May 2009, Houghton was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association.[15] 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."[16] 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.[17]

For the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Houghton was again named England's team captain.[18] Houghton scored her first World Cup goal against Norway in the round of 16,[19] and was chosen Player of the Match during the quarterfinals with Canada, which qualified England for their first semi-finals ever.[20]

Houghton earned her 100th England Cap on 11 November 2018 against Sweden at New York Stadium in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.[21][22] In May 2019 it was announced that Houghton had been selected for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France.[23] She scored a goal in the Round of 16 match against Cameroon.[24]

Team GB[]

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.[25]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of match played 27 February 2019
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Sunderland 2002–03 FA WPL Northern —
2003–04 —
2004–05 —
2005–06 FA WPL National —
2006–07 —
Total —
Leeds United
('Leeds Carnegie' from 2008) 		2007–08 FA WPL National —
2008–09 —
2009–10 —
Total —
Arsenal FA WSL
Total
Manchester City 2014 FA WSL 13 0 2 0 7 1 — 22 1
2015 11 2 1 0 6 1 — 18 3
2016 15 2 3 0 4 0 2 0 24 2
2017 5 0 4 1 0 0 3 0 12 1
2017–18 15 2 1 0 7 0 8 1 31 3
2018–19 16 3 2 1 6 0 0 0 24 4
Total 75 9 13 2 30 2 13 1 131 14
Career total

International[]

Statistics accurate as of match played 27 July 2021.
Year England Great Britain
Apps Goals Apps Goals
2007 ? ? N/A
2008 ? ? N/A
2009 ? ? N/A
2010 ? ? N/A
2011 ? ? N/A
2012 ? ? 4 3
2013 ? ? N/A
2014 ? ? N/A
2015 ? ? N/A
2016 ? ? N/A
2017 ? ? N/A
2018 ? ? N/A
2019 ? ? N/A
2020 ? ? N/A
2021 ? ? 2 0
Total 121 13 6 3

International goals[]

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.
hide# 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[]

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

Leeds United

Arsenal[26]

Manchester City[26]

England

In popular culture[]

In October 2014, Houghton was the first female player to appear on the cover of Shoot magazine.[32]

Personal life[]

Houghton is married to former Bolton Wanderers defender Stephen Darby.[33] They married on 21 June 2018.[citation needed] On 18 September 2018, Darby announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 29 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.[33]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: 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. ^ Jump up to: 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. ^ Alan Hubbard (22 May 2011). "Houghton is football's Jill of all trades". The Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Stephanie Houghton". The FA. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  5. ^ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N20.
  6. ^ "Steph Houghton: England star, role model, leader". BBC Sport. 5 June 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Young star Steph joins Leeds". 30 July 2007.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Houghton and Nobbs join Arsenal". UEFA. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  9. ^ "Steph Houghton signs for City". ManCity.com. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Steph Houghton: Manchester City and England captain extends contract to 2022". BBC Sport. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Germany Women 5–1 England Women". BBC. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  12. ^ "England Women 6–0 Russia Women". BBC. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  13. ^ "England Women 1–0 Scotland Women". BBC. 11 March 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  14. ^ Leighton, Tony (14 May 2009). "Steph Houghton rejoins England squad after two years of injury agony". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  15. ^ "England Women awarded contracts". BBC Sport. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  16. ^ Moore, Leigh (29 August 2013). "Houghton's Euro pain eased by Arsenal form". BT Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  17. ^ Wilson, Scott (19 January 2014). "North-Easterner Houghton expresses pride at captaining England". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  18. ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 May 2015). "England squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". The Football Association. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  19. ^ "England comeback sinks former champs". FIFA. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  20. ^ "ENGLAND 2–1 CANADA". FIFA. 27 June 2015.
  21. ^ Garry, Tom (11 November 2018). "England Women 0-2 Sweden Women: Lionesses lose in skipper Steph Houghton's 100th cap". BBC Sport.
  22. ^ Taylor, Louise (10 November 2018). "Stage set for England to honour 'humble, brilliant' Steph Houghton". The Guardian.
  23. ^ Sport, The Telegraph (23 May 2019). "England Women's World Cup 2019 squad: Team updates, fixtures, injury news and more". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  24. ^ "England beat Cameroon to reach quarter-finals amid VAR drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Triple goal scorer Steph Houghton 'bends like Beckham'". BBC Sport. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "S. Houghton". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  27. ^ Leighton, Tony (12 March 2009). "England women win Cyprus Cup". The Guardian.
  28. ^ Leighton, Tony (13 March 2013). "Rachel Yankey volley earns England women their second Cyprus Cup title". The Guardian.
  29. ^ Lavery, Glenn (11 March 2015). "England 1-0 Canada: Cyprus Cup final match report". The Football Association.
  30. ^ "Match for third place - Match report" (PDF). FIFA. 4 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  31. ^ "England record statement win over Japan to clinch prestigious SheBelieves Cup". The Football Association. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  32. ^ Glenda Cooper (9 July 2015). "Steph Houghton: 'I'm still getting used to being recognised in Topshop'". The Daily Telegraph.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b "Stephen Darby: Motor neurone disease diagnosis forces Bolton full-back to retire". BBC Sport. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.

External links[]

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