Steph Houghton MBE has dedicated reaching 100 England caps to her family after the "sacrifices" they have made during her career.
Houghton joined the Three Lions’ centurion club this Sunday and was joined pitchside by her parents, brother, grandmother and husband, to receive a commemorative England shirt prior to the Lionesses’ game against Sweden.
Houghton made her senior team debut against Russia in March 2007, but her early international career was hampered by injuries prior to major tournaments. She missed the World Cup in 2007 and the Euros in 2009, but she bounced back and finally made her tournament debut at Germany 2011.
She was handed the captains role in 2014 and led her country to a historic third-place finish at the last World Cup before helping England reach the semi-finals of Euro 2017.
The Durham born centre-half became the 11th female player to reach 100 caps for England and she dedicated the achievement to her family:
“As a professional footballer you make a lot of sacrifices, my biggest sacrifice is being away from my family and spending a lot of time away from home."
Talking of their support, she said: “It’s not just in your 100th game, but it’s every game when there are hardly any fans there, they’ve always been there.
“This one is for them, the career that I’ve had so far is down to my mam, dad, brother and my grandma who comes to every single game, but also my husband as well.”
Houghton added: “I’ve never, ever set my sights on getting 100 - it’s more my family. My dad’s been counting down the caps for every single home game and he’s been to every single one I’ve played in England. I’m not setting myself goals. For me, my only focus is the World Cup coming up next year and playing well for Manchester City and this England team. That’s my only focus over the next six or seven months.”
Houghton is represented by the PFA and chief executive Gordon Taylor OBE was full of praise for achievement: “To obtain 100 caps for her country is testament to Steph’s ability, resilience and pure dedication and her outstanding contribution to the women’s game.
“She has been a role model par excellence and we are all very proud of here at the PFA.”
England manager Phil Neville was also full of praise for his captain: “First and foremost Steph is a brilliant defender, but her passing range is excellent and she has got tremendous leadership qualities, too, and when I took over there was no doubt in my mind that Steph would remain as captain.
“The likes of Steph, Jill Scott and Fara Williams; they are the ones the younger players should be looking up to.
“Steph and other players of her generation, and the generation before that, fought like mad to get the women’s game to where it is today. They paved the way.”
“Steph deserves all the plaudits she gets. But forget her football ability for a second, she’s just a really good person.
“When you have good people and good characters in any team then you’re going to have a chance of being successful.”
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