Steph Houghton

Stephanie Jayne Darby (,, 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.

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. 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. She was awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland on 8 March 2023.

Club career
Houghton began her career playing for five years at Sunderland. 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. She eventually joined Leeds Carnegie. After helping Leeds win the 2010 FA Women's Premier League Cup, Houghton signed for Arsenal in August of that year.

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

On 27 March 2024, Houghton announced that she would retire from football at the end of the 2023–24 season. 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.

England
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. She was an unused substitute in the 5–1 defeat in Aalen. 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. Her first start came three days later, in a 1–0 win over Scotland at Adams Park. She missed the 2007 World Cup with a broken leg and Euro 2009 with a damaged cruciate ligament.

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

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

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

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

Great Britain
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.

She represented Great Britain again at the 2020 Summer Olympics, featuring three times during the tournament.

In popular culture
In October 2014, Houghton was the first female player to appear on the cover of Shoot magazine.

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

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, something which the newspaper reported "has irritated [her] for years", as she pronounces it as it is in the town name Houghton-le-Spring:.

International

 * Statistics accurate as of match played 27 July 2021.


 * For England


 * Scores and results list England's goal tally first.


 * For Great Britain
 * Scores and results list Great Britain's goal tally first.

Honours


Leeds Carnegie
 * FA Women's Premier League Cup: 2009–10

Arsenal
 * FA WSL: 2011, 2012
 * FA Women's Cup: 2010–11, 2012–13
 * FA WSL Cup: 2011, 2012, 2013

Manchester City
 * FA WSL: 2016
 * FA Women's Cup: 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20; runner-up: 2021–22
 * FA WSL Cup: 2014, 2016, 2018–19, 2021–22; runner-up: 2017–18
 * FA Women's Community Shield runner-up: 2020

England
 * FIFA Women's World Cup third place: 2015
 * Cyprus Cup: 2009, 2013, 2015; runner-up: 2014
 * SheBelieves Cup: 2019