FORMER England and Arsenal captain Faye White has announced her decision to retire from competitive football.
White, who grew up in Horley and attended Oakwood School, made the announcement today (Wednesday), it comes after she welcomed her first child, a son named Lukas, in October 2012.
Centre-back White spent 17 years at Arsenal, one of the best women's clubs in the country, and she also amassed 90 caps, scoring 12 goals, for England.
White has appeared for England in both World Cup and European competitions and first captained the national side in 2002.
Announcing her retirement at the age of 35, White said: "Even now, after getting back to some sort of fitness after having Lukas, my knees won't allow me to do what I could before.
"I retired from England when I announced I was pregnant last April but left the door open with Arsenal.
"Everyone says it's because I've had a baby but it's not. I could have juggled the demands. The will was still there. The rest of my body could have done it, but my knees couldn't and you have to think of your later life as well.
"I'll still be involved at Arsenal in my job as a development marketing officer. I am looking into coaching, but I love the ambassadorial work I do with Arsenal."
White, who grew up in Horley and attended Oakwood School, made the announcement today (Wednesday), it comes after she welcomed her first child, a son named Lukas, in October 2012.
Centre-back White spent 17 years at Arsenal, one of the best women's clubs in the country, and she also amassed 90 caps, scoring 12 goals, for England.
White has appeared for England in both World Cup and European competitions and first captained the national side in 2002.
Announcing her retirement at the age of 35, White said: "Even now, after getting back to some sort of fitness after having Lukas, my knees won't allow me to do what I could before.
"I retired from England when I announced I was pregnant last April but left the door open with Arsenal.
"Everyone says it's because I've had a baby but it's not. I could have juggled the demands. The will was still there. The rest of my body could have done it, but my knees couldn't and you have to think of your later life as well.
"I'll still be involved at Arsenal in my job as a development marketing officer. I am looking into coaching, but I love the ambassadorial work I do with Arsenal."
