Fara Williams retires at the end of the season. The 37-year-old, currently playing for Reading, announced today on social media.
The 2020/21 season has been a tough one for Williams. She has been suffering from Nephrotic Syndrome, which side-lined her for most of the season and ultimately led to the decision to end her career.
After much consideration & despite offers to remain within the game, I have made the difficult decision to retire from professional football at the end of the season.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have had a career of more than 20 years within the women’s game ⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z9YWEcgdzi
— Fara Williams MBE (@fara_williams47) April 26, 2021
Williams began her career at Chelsea, rising through the academy to the first team. After her debut on a senior level, she moved to Charlton Athletic in 2001. In 2004, she finished 2nd in the Women’s Premiere League. She headed up to Everton, where she stayed for 8 years, scoring 70 goals in 122 appearances. In 2009, she finished 2nd again in the Premiere League, with the same amount of points as the winner, but worse goal difference. She was picked FA’s player of the year anyway. She finally won her Women’s Super League title in 2013 after a move to Everton’s local rivals, Liverpool. With the Reds she retained the title in 2014. After a short spell with Arsenal, she joined Reading in 2017.
On international stage, she is the most capped England footballer of all time with 172 appearances. She was part of the Great Britain squad for the home Olympics in 2012. She was also a runner-up at EURO 2009 and bronze medallist on World Cup 2015 with England.
One of the best to ever do it ❤️ good luck for your next journey @fara_williams47 👏🏻🙌🏻 https://t.co/7JOmngWbTX
— Fran Kirby (@frankirby) April 26, 2021