KAREN CARNEY is one of the most recognisable female footballers in British history and can be found regularly on our TV screens these days talking sense on footie.
Carney, 35, had a stellar career playing at the top level of women’s football.
Starting off at Birmingham City aged 11, Carney would go on to make her pro debut at just 14 in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division against Fulham Ladies.
It was also at Birmingham where she earned her first England cap in 2005 before moving on to Arsenal in 2006.
In her first season at the Gunners, Carney played a major part in the team that won four major honours.
Carney helped the team win the FA Women’s Premier League, FA Women’s Cup, FA Women’s Premier League Cup and the Uefa Women’s Cup.
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She made 21 appearances in the Premier League in her first season and scored 10 goals as a winger/midfielder.
After a brief stint in the US with Chicago Red Stars between 2009-10, Carney returned to Birmingham and then later played for Chelsea, who ended up being the final club of her career.
Carney retired from football in 2019 with 144 England caps and 15 major honours.
The football star-turned-pundit is also an England hall of famer.
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Speaking on her record-breaking quadruple at Arsenal, Carney recalled Arsenal’s quest for Uefa Women’s Cup glory – the last trophy available to win that season.
Arsenal beat then top team Umea in the final.
Carney told FourFourTwo: “Umea were known as the Galacticos – they had players like Marta in their side – but we shut them out over two legs to become champions of Europe.
“We were so together, I’m so proud to have been part of that team. It’ll never be forgotten.
“We’d already won the league, the FA Cup and the League Cup, so this completed the quadruple.
“No one’s ever done that, and no English team has won the Champions League since. We made history.
“On paper they had the better team, but we had great players too, like Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith, Alex Scott and Katie Chapman, as well as a togetherness.
“Our coach Vic Akers was a great advocate for the women’s game, the only person I call gaffer or the boss.
“He taught me about Arsenal and respecting the badge.”
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Now Carney can be seen covering football for a number of broadcasters, and is called in to give her expert opinion on both men’s and women’s football.
She covered the 2022 World Cup with ITV, is a WSL pundit for Sky Sports and has been seen plenty on the BBC and BT Sport in the past.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
