Kelly Smith has decided to call time on her international career. At the age of 36, with a multitude of younger players coming through she has decided to go out on a high.
Kelly made her debut against Italy on 1 November 1995 and has since earned 117 caps scoring an all time record 46 goals. She was just the third woman to reach 100 caps, played in two world cups and four Euro Championships as well as Team GB at the London Olympics. In 2009 she finished third in the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year.
Alongside her playing career, Kelly has been training as a coach and is currently undertaking the UEFA B Licence course. She is quoted as saying that she feels the time is right now to step away from the international scene whilst continuing to play for Arsenal and pursue a career in football via coaching. She will make a fine coach.
Throughout Kelly’s career she has been troubled by injury without which I am sure she would have gone on to break even more records in an England shirt.
Indeed the first time I saw Kelly play she was coming back from injury and was introduced as a substitute, there was an immediate buzz and every time she got the ball an air of anticipation and expectation. She reminded me of a young Bryan Robson. She played with the same tenacity and willingness to chase everything down, while at the same time urging her team mates on. A true leader on the pitch and from all the tributes coming from her team mates a leader and inspiration off the pitch too.
We hope Kelly continues to enjoy a successful career both playing for Arsenal and coaching and expect to see her achievements grow.
