Aston Villa Women Midfielder Lucy Staniforth Announces Retirement from Football
Lucy Staniforth Retires After 16-Year Career
file image of Aston Villa Women midfielder Lucy Staniforth(Photo: @wosoccerr/X)
Birmingham, May 7: Lucy Staniforth, a midfielder for Aston Villa Women, has declared her retirement from professional football, effective at the conclusion of the current season. The 33-year-old athlete is set to conclude a distinguished 16-year career.
Staniforth joined Aston Villa in January 2023 from Manchester United, quickly establishing herself as a key player in the midfield. During the latter half of the 2022/23 season, she made 17 appearances, contributing to the club's best-ever finish in the Women’s Super League and scoring her first goal in a remarkable 6-2 win against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Over the next three seasons, she added 38 more appearances to her record, overcoming injury challenges to help secure significant victories against teams like Tottenham Hotspur (2024/25), Crystal Palace (2024/25), and Leicester City (2023/24).
Her football journey began at Sunderland, where she debuted at just 16 years old, playing a crucial role in winning the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division title and reaching the FA Cup final during her first season.
Reflecting on her decision, Staniforth expressed excitement about her future, stating, "It's not something I've wrestled with, but it's definitely been a thought in the back of my mind as I've been getting on. I'm really comfortable with the decision. It's been really cool to take the football lens off and be excited for me, as a person, moving into the big, wide world."
She feels at peace with her career and proud of her accomplishments, having also represented England at various youth levels before making her senior debut. Staniforth scored in her first match for the national team during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying against Kazakhstan.
As the 208th player to don the England jersey, she participated in the 2019 World Cup in France, contributing to the team's success in the knockout stage against Cameroon.
In total, Staniforth earned 17 caps for England from 2018 to 2023, scoring twice. Marisa Ewers, Aston Villa's Director of Women’s Football, commended her contributions, stating, "Having played alongside Stan, I know the qualities she brings both as a player and a person. She has been a valued part of the group during her time at Villa, and while she will be greatly missed around the club, we wish her all the very best for the future."