Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton reveals the shockingly low pay she received as a women’s footballer at Arsenal – despite being the best centre back in the country

Steph Houghton has opened up on her fight for parity within women’s football and revealed the shockingly low pay she received at times during her career. 

Houghton, 36, was regarded as one of the greatest defenders of her generation, representing Sunderland, Leeds Carnegie, Arsenal and Manchester City during an illustrious time in the game.

The former centre back – who won three WSL titles – also made 121 appearances for England and was Lionesses captain, while she appeared at three World Cups and two European Championships.

Despite her qualities as a player, Houghton explained in an interview with The Guardian how this wasn’t always reflected in her salary. 

In fact, Houghton revealed that back in 2012 – during a period that she was rated as England’s best centre back and won the WSL and FA Cup on two occasions with Arsenal – she was paid an annual wage of just £4,000 by the Gunners.

Houghton explained that 12 years ago when she was at Arsenal, her annual wage was £4,000

The former central defender was Lionesses captain and played 121 times for her country

There were bonus options on offer, while Houghton did some extra work as a part-time coach and club ambassador, but even if these came in, the 36-year-old’s annual salary only rose to £9,000.

‘Arsenal was the best club in England and that was their level,’ she said. ‘Money was never really a driver for me. 

‘It was just about playing for Arsenal and winning trophies, but when you meet people that have got a lot more experience about what you should be earning, that’s when you think: “Right, things have to change.”‘

‘When I looked at what [England’s men] were getting for commercial deals that really opened my eyes. 

‘The men and women play for the national teams of the same country and yet they’re getting 15 times more than us. How is that fair? I got the bit between my teeth and I was like: “OK, we need to do something about that.” 

‘That’s what I’m probably most proud of in terms of the stuff that we did off the pitch – to change how companies thought of us as athletes and to stop them taking the p***.’

Houghton left Arsenal in 2014 to join Man City, where she went onto play 233 times for the club over a 10-year period.

Houghton left Arsenal in 2014 and went onto enjoy 10 successful years with Manchester City

The 36-year-old played an instrumental role in fighting for parity across women’s football

She won eight trophies with City, while she also led the Lionesses to third place at the 2015 World Cup.

Before that tournament, Houghton had been instrumental in ensuring the squad received bonuses for their performances.

Houghton – who also represented Team GB at the 2012 and 2020 Olympics – retired at the end of last season and was honoured by the Lionesses ahead of last month’s friendly against Germany at Wembley, where she was hailed as ‘one of the most inspirational England players of this generation’.