Women’s Super League

BRIGHTON defender Fern Whelan has called time on her playing career after posting an emotional message on social media.
The Albion Women centre-back, who has been battling with knee and ankle injuries, announced her retirement following advice from medics.

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Brighton’s Fern Whelan, who made three appearances for England, announced her retirement after a battle with injury Credit: Rex Features
In a Twitter post today Whelan told of her “love-hate” relationship with the game and her “amazing experiences” within it 
The former England player, 31, also reflected on the “anger” and “loss” experienced on her “football journey” and her excitement for the future. 
The ex-Everton defender told her followers: “It is with a heavy heart that I can finally announce my retirement from the beautiful game. 

“This decision has not been easy, and has not been taken lightly, but I feel that now is the right time to end the ongoing love-hate relationship that myself and football have. 
“I am thankful for the amazing experiences the sport has given me, the players I have been lucky enough to play with and against, and the friends I have made along the way. 
“Mo Marley and Hope Powell gave me highlights I will never forget; playing for England and winning my first FA Cup.” 

“But it’s no secret that my football journey is filled with anger, loss and what ifs due to having such a nasty injury that unfortunately kept me from the game for two years. 

Fern has been an outstanding professional during her time with the club and we’re going to miss her ability on the field and her experience in the dressing room
Hope Powell

Whelan, who signed for Albion in 2017, played an influential role in their transition into a Women’s Super League side.
The three-cap Lioness, who started out in football playing for a schoolboys team, made 17 appearances for the club scoring on two occasions. 
And Brighton boss Hope Powell, whose side play Manchester City on Sunday,  paid tribute to the player. 

On the club’s web site Powell said: “Fern has been an outstanding professional during her time with the club and we’re going to miss her ability on the field and her experience in the dressing room. 
“She has played a big part in our development over the last three years.
“I know from speaking to her that the decision to retire was not easy for Fern, but she is embarking on a new phase of her life and everyone at Brighton wishes her all the best for the future.” 

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JOE MONTEMURRO hailed hat-trick hero Jill Roord’s “special” display as Arsenal’s title hunt got off to a superb start.
The Netherlands midfielder, 23, helped her team thrash Reading after Kim Little got the first for the three-time WSL champions.

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Jill Roord scored a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed Reading 6-1 in the WSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Roord was called ‘special’ by boss Joe MontemurroCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gunners boss Montemurro said: “When I signed Jill, I saw someone special.
“I saw a player who had immense ability in finding space, but also her ability to play higher up, protect the ball, and find the pass.
“And the big thing we are looking for with Jill is to find a level and ascertain that level because she can float in and out of games at times and can get complacent because she is talented.
“So I’ve given her that challenge.”

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The Gunners used all five substitutes after last month’s rule-change

Among the Royals’ starters was Wales veteran midfielder Jess Fishlock, 33, and former Gunners golden girl Danielle Carter, returning from a lengthy ACL injury lay-off.
After Little’s early volley, Ballon d’Or nominee Vivianne Miedema slotted home in the 33rd minute, while Roord clocked her first before half-time.
Second-half goals from Roord and a 78th-minute rocket from Miedema made it a rout, before Carter hit an 89th-minute reply.

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FRAN KIRBY is set for an emotional return to the WSL after being told she may never play football again.
The Chelsea star, 27, has been out of league action since last  November  when she learned she had a rare heart condition.

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Fran Kirby is set to return for Chelsea after being told she may have to retireCredit: Rex Features
Pericarditis — an inflammation of the lining around the heart  — left Kirby with severe chest pains and unable to do even basic  tasks.
She was sofa-ridden at her home during the long, crippling months she battled the illness.
The England forward revealed: “There was a period where I was told by the cardiologist that if I didn’t slow down, I could become chronic and never play again.
“I remember reading about the illness because I had no idea what it was when I was diagnosed.

“I never read any stories where someone had overcome it.

It has been a tough journey but it’s definitely shaped me into who I am now. It made me realise how precious these moments when you play are
Fran Kirby

“But I wanted to show to myself that I could get over this and I had a positive story to give.
“It has been a tough journey but it’s definitely shaped me into who I am now. It made me realise how precious these moments when you play are.”
The forward hailed Chelsea boss Emma Hayes for being her “rock” as she struggled to recover.

And her Chelsea pals, who would visit her for a cuppa, bring her snacks and even helped her build a puzzle to take her mind off things.  
Kirby added: “Emma made sure that I was protected from everything. At the beginning, I wanted my illness to be very private.

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Fran Kirby’s team-mates say she looks like a ‘new signing’ for the WSL title-holdersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
She was the one who was questioning the doctor all the time, saying, ‘Can we try this? Can we try that?’ She was always trying to find answers.
“They also respected when I wanted to be left alone.
“They knew if I went to lie on the physiotherapy bed in training, that was my time where I needed to be left alone.”
“When I wasn’t feeling great, I could just go into her office and cry in front of her and not feel embarrassed about it.
“And my team-mates would always make an effort to come round, even if I wasn’t in the best frame of mind.”
Kirby says she feels good as she turns her attention to facing Manchester United  for Chelsea’s opening fixture.
Her team-mates reckon she looks like a “new signing” alongside the likes of Sam Kerr, Beth England and now Pernille Harder in the Blues’ star-studded attack.
She said: “They were definitely the reason I kept pushing.

“I wasn’t a player any more, I was a fan of them, and I really enjoyed going through that switch with them.
“There was nothing that made me think, ‘Well, this is going to be chronic’.  I knew I was going to get over it, whether it took two weeks or six months.
“And If I’m honest, I actually feel better.”

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