England’s Jill Scott Retires From Football

August 23, 2022 James Gregory England, Women Football 1

England midfielder, Jill Scott has announced her retirement from football aged 35 years-old.

Scott’s decision to retire comes just 24 hours after her former Manchester City and England teammate, Ellen White announced her own retirement from the game, which now leaves Lucy Bronze as the oldest current England Lionesses player at 30 years-old.

Scott retires as England’s second-highest capped female player with 161 international caps during which she scored 27 goals, and helped the Lionesses to win 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro on home soil to go with three previous Cyprus Cup honours and 2022 Arnold Clark Cup title.

Across her 17 year domestic club playing career which began at Sunderland before going on to play for Everton, Man City and Aston Villa, Scott claimed nine honours in total, including;

  • 4 x FA Women’s Cup (2009-10 – Everton, 2016-17, 2018-19 & 2019-20 – Man City)
  • 3 x FA Women’s League Cup (2014, 2016 & 2018-19 – Man City)
  • 1 x FA Women’s Super League (2016 – Man City)
  • 1 x FA Women’s Premier League Cup (2007-08 – Everton)

Scott chose to announce her retirement in a personal statement on theplayerstribune.com in which she vowed that although she is saying goodbye to the sport, she is making her retirement a celebration as she joked about her stubbornness and passion having hailed from Sunderland

She went on to discuss her footballing journey and eventually spoke about achieving her desire to win the Women’s Euro as she said:

“I had 30 years of football’s heartbreaks and dreams and disappointments built up inside me, and I just wanted to do it for everybody in that stadium … everybody in the country … all them girls having a kickabout in the back lanes. I wanted it so, so bad.”

Scott went on to speak about how she decided to retire from the game rather than continue for another year and play at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as she revealed that whilst absorbing England’s title triumph on the pitch, she realised that “…deep in my heart, that this was it.”

During that moment, she recounted many memories from her playing days to the support of her family and especially the pride of her ‘Ganny’ speaking to local residents passing her house and saying: “You know my granddaughter plays for England?”

Scott concluded her farewell announcement by admitting that she had ended her career on the Wembley pitch with one last box-to-box run once she had digested her and England’s achievement, which has been one of her best midfield techniques as a player.

Summing up that moment, Scott described herself as “… like that little girl again, running on her own in the back lanes.

“Box to box. Wall to wall.

“Only this time I had a gold medal swinging from my neck.

“That was my way of saying goodbye.

“And this is my way of saying thank you.”

‘Pioneer of the game, a legend, a hero…’

Scott’s fellow North-East star and England teammate, Beth Mead was amongst the first to pay tribute as she hailed the midfielder as ‘A pioneer, a legend, a hero…’ of the sport and described herself as ‘lucky’ to have been part of Scott’s footballing journey.

England Lionesses manager, Sarina Wiegman added that Scott has enjoyed “a very special career” in the game, and is “glad” to send her out “on such a positive memory.”

Wiegman though admitted that Scott will be missed within the national team as she continued; “It will be hard to imagine an England squad without her as she has been an icon of the team for so long. I respect her decision, but we will miss her positive impact on and off of the pitch for sure.

“To be able to play at the highest level for so long tells you how good a player Jill has been, and her story is a positive example that others will continue to follow.”

The two-time Women’s Euro winning manager also iterated her hope that Scott will be involved in the future of the game in a behind-the-scenes role as she concluded: “She still has a huge amount to offer, so I hope she won’t be lost to the women’s game in the future – whatever that role may be.

“She is a very special person, and although it was only for a short period, I feel privileged to have had the chance to work with her.”

FA Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell meanwhile spoke of Scott’s legacy as she issued the following statement: “An all-time great, Jill has been a wonderful ambassador. Not just for the England team – to which she has given incredible service – but also English football in general.

“Her journey to the world stage is truly remarkable and she can be so proud of the part she has played in growing our game in that time.

“Jill is the definition of a Lionesses legend and is loved by so many. You can tell the affection fans have for her from the way her appearances at the EURO were greeted every time by deafening noise.

“Personally, I shall miss that wonderful smile and unique sense of humour whenever lucky enough to be in her company. Whatever the future holds, she will always be a part of our family.”

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also praised Scott for her career whilst joking at their relief at the prospect of no ‘more slide tackles during ‘friendly’ kickabouts’ when meeting Scott.

Alex Greenwood meanwhile led tributes from amongst Scott’s former teammates at club and international levels, whilst US icon, Carli Lloyd also paid her own tribute.

Scott’s retirement also attracted attention of various women’s football media figures as BBC commentator, Robyn Cowen led tributes amongst those covering the sport.

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