Former England goalkeeper Carly Telford has announced she is making an exit from the game.
The 35-year-old Geordie is making exit from the game whilst representing National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave FC. In career spanning over two decades and having played for Sunderland, Chelsea, Perth Glory, Notts County and San Diego Wave, the English goalkeeper has decided to bring the curtain down to a blistering career.
Capped 27 times by England and a member of the Team GB squad at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the game is waving goodbye to a faithful servant.
What she said:
Telford took to Twitter to announce her departure, saying, “After 20 years of playing the beautiful game it’s time for me to hang up the old boots and gloves,” Telford wrote on social media.
“I was six when I started kicking a ball around with my friends in the back garden. So, what was this little girl’s dream all those years ago? Probably to be able to keep playing football with her mates for as long as she could.”
“After thinking these past few weeks and months I’m pretty sure I’ve spent the last 20 years doing exactly that. I feel so lucky and blessed to have been able to do this for so many years.” “I’m old enough to remember just a few parents watching our games, people just stopping by whilst walking their dogs to watch a women’s game,” Telford added.
On the memories she has in the game, the 35-year-old said : “I’m also old enough to remember the fans that started becoming the regulars, home or away, domestically, or internationally.”
“For those that have stuck by the game and to those that are new to it. The big stadiums, packed out crowds and electric buzz is what you all deserve. Thank you for supporting me, my team-mates and believing in the future of women’s football.”
Having kicked-off her career at Sunderland before making a switch to Leeds and then Chelsea. It was a later the goalkeeper claimed silverware. Over two separate spells with the west London side, she won three WSL titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups.
