The Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) have revealed the latest inductees to the Women’s Super League Hall of Fame, with Alex Scott, Gilly Flaherty, Steph Houghton and Rebecca Welch joining the roster.
The Hall of Fame recognises and rewards those who have made significant contributions to the game throughout their playing and officiating career.
Alex Scott:
Alex Scott MBE has been a prominent figure within the game from the moment she first stepped onto the pitch. Scott spent most of her trophy-ladened playing career with Arsenal, securing 21 trophies during her 12 years at the club. The 40-year-old was an integral part of the 2007 squad who secured the quadruple for the first time in English history, scoring the winning goal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The right-back also made 140 appearances for England and has since gone on to become one of the most in-demand presenters after hanging up her boots. Scott has become a trailblazer for women in sport, both on the field and off, achieving many firsts for women. She was the first female pundit on Sky Sports Super Sunday, the first female presenter on Football Focus, and the first female to commentate for the BBC at a men’s FIFA World Cup.
Steph Houghton:
Steph Houghton MBE is a name that is recognised globally for her contribution to women’s football, both internationally and domestically. Starting her career at Sunderland, Houghton had professional stints with Arsenal, Leeds and Manchester City. Houghton ended her career at the end of the 2023/24 season, totalling 178 WSL games and 23 games.
The 36-year-old captained the Sky Blue’s for the entirety of her decade-long stay, guiding the side to collect eight major trophies under her guidance – including the 2016 Barclay’s Women’s Super League Title. The centre-back then hung up her boots, before making history as the first female Club Ambassador of Manchester City.
Houghton has also had an impressive international career, sporting the armband for England for eight years. Her contribution to the game did not go unnoticed, as she was awarded an MBE in 2016 for her services to football. She now has a regular punditry position across the BBC and Sky Sports.
Gilly Flaherty:
Gilly Flaherty spent almost two decades playing at the top level of women’s football, and once held the league record for the number of games played in the top-flight – one game short of Houghton’s appearances.
The centre-half spent a decade with Arsenal, joining fellow inductee Alex Scott in winning the quadruple. In her time with Arsenal, Flaherty won 17 trophies, including five Women’s FA Cups and two Women’s Super League titles. A move to London rivals Chelsea in 2014 didn’t slow Flaherty’s silverware record, as she went on to claim two more Women’s FA Cups and three League titles.
The 33-year-old then went on to have professional stints with West Ham and Liverpool, before calling time on her career in 2023. The former England international is now undertaking media duties across the women’s game for a variety of outlets, once again championing the change.
Rebecca Welch:
Rebecca Welch has become the first official to be inducted into the Hall of Fame following her retirement earlier this year. The 41-one-year old made history in 2021 when it was announced that she would be the first female to officiate a Premier League, EFL and men’s FA Cup fixture. Since then, she has gone on to officiate some on the world’s biggest football games, including the Women’s EUROs, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.
Welch concluded her career in the best way possible – officiating the Gold Medal Match as a fourth official at the 2024 Paris Women’s Football Olympics. She continues to leave her mark on the women’s game, as she works closely with Professional Game Match Officials Ltd to inspire the next generation of WSL and Women’s Championship officials.
The quartet’s official induction will take place at a special Barclay’s WSL Hall of Fame celebration event in January 2025.
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