Our captain was given a fitting tribute following her final game at the Joie Stadium against Arsenal.
In March 2024, she announced that she will retire from professional football at the end of the 2023/24 season.
City’s record appearance holder and most decorated player, Houghton has been at the centre of the Club’s success since first joining from Arsenal ahead of the 2014 WSL campaign.
HOUGHTON ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
That season represented our first as a professional outfit and, after Jill Scott and Karen Bardsley both retired in 2022, the defender is the last remaining player from that original side still at the Club.
With four Continental Cups, three FA Cups and one WSL title to her name, the captain has been the driving force behind City’s constant pursuit of silverware.
But her inspirational leadership and elite mentality have meant Houghton’s influence has been felt just as much off the pitch as it has on it.
She’s rightly considered an icon of the game and goes down as one of City’s most legendary figures.
There’s still one WSL match left of the season, so Steph could sign off in blue with another league title to her name.
But while there’s plenty of work still to do, the above video celebrates our captain and all that she’s achieved following her decision to call time on a glittering career at the top of the game.
Thank you, Steph!
