Stephanie Jayne Darby MBE (née Houghton) – born 23 April 1988 – is a professional footballer.
At club level, Houghton started at Sunderland in her native North East England before moving on to Leeds United in 2007 then Arsenal Ladies in 2010.
She broke into the Sunderland team as a striker before moving back into midfield and later into defence.
Since her debut in 2007, Houghton has played over 100 times for the England national team. She suffered serious injuries immediately before the 2007 World Cup and Euro 2009, but recovered to play in the 2011 World Cup and Euro 2013.
She was made England captain in January 2014. At the 2012 London Olympics, Houghton scored three goals in Great Britain’s four games, including winners against New Zealand and Brazil.
Houghton was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to football.
She was awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland on 8 March 2023.
Maz Farookhi is a reporter for BBC World Service and 5 Live sport. She has been working on the BBC since 2009. In July 2003 she reported on the Women’s World Cup for the BBC.
Ellen Toni Convery MBE (née White) – born 9 May 1989 – is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. With England, she has competed at three FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments: in the 2011, 2015 and 2019,...
Jonas Eidevall – born 28 January 1983 – is a Swedish professional football coach who is the head coach of FA WSL club Arsenal. He previously served as head coach of Swedish club FC Rosengård from 2013 to 2014 and...