Steph Houghton

Serena is an icon of women's sport.

— Steph Houghton

We'd love to be playing to five or six thousand.

— Steph Houghton

My mum and dad were always careful with money.

— Steph Houghton

We want to be the best in Europe.

— Steph Houghton

We want to be role models.

— Steph Houghton

It's important I keep my feet on the ground and stay humble and still work hard.

— Steph Houghton

I've been playing semi-professional football since I was 14, really.

— Steph Houghton

I think it's important that we try to showcase what we're about as women footballers.

— Steph Houghton

Twitter's brilliant. It allows us to talk to fans and gets them to games.

— Steph Houghton

It is important to have down time between training and matches.

— Steph Houghton

I am proud to be captain of an England team who believe in themselves and enjoy the way we play.

— Steph Houghton

We want to play against the best in the world, nevermind Europe.

— Steph Houghton

Missing the chance to go to the 2007 World Cup was the biggest disappointment of my career.

— Steph Houghton

Games don't come much bigger than playing the title holders with the chance to win the trophy yourselves.

— Steph Houghton

I want to play for England, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I give it everything I can, not just…

— Steph Houghton

Mum stayed home to look after us, and Dad was an electrician, working long hours to support us. We never went without,…

— Steph Houghton

It doesn't get much more special than playing at Wembley in front of 70,000 people. It's definitely what dreams are made of.

— Steph Houghton

I think a massive part of players wanting to stay in England was to be able to be on the ball every…

— Steph Houghton

I know other people say that football isn't easy as a sport for girls, but my family and friends have always been…

— Steph Houghton

I get nervous before every single game, but I think it's a good sign. It means I care and want it to…

— Steph Houghton

Since the World Cup in 2015, we've all experienced an increase in the interest in women's football, which has led to more…

— Steph Houghton

My first job was working Saturdays in Sports Soccer in Newcastle. I only used to work three or four hours a week,…

— Steph Houghton

We've got two semi-professional leagues; we've got many other leagues, more coaching opportunities for youngsters. You never had that when I was…

— Steph Houghton

When I was named captain under Mark Sampson, there were a lot of questions about whether I was ready for it. I…

— Steph Houghton

We're doing a lot of work in schools getting girls to play football, breaking down any taboos there might be, and we're…

— Steph Houghton

I think that what's happening is that girls are enjoying playing. It's a lot more acceptable, and now we have a Women's…

— Steph Houghton

With the likes of social media and outside influences - we're going to be on telly a lot more - I think…

— Steph Houghton

I knew there was going to be pressure on me with the captaincy. I knew people would be writing about my performances…

— Steph Houghton

We've had to pay to play. We've had to borrow kit. We've had to train on a Friday night. Maybe a lot…

— Steph Houghton

Ever since I've been able to walk, I've always had a ball at my feet.

— Steph Houghton

Anything can happen in a cup final; that's what everybody likes about them.

— Steph Houghton

We always want to play and be dominant with the ball, but we respect the opposition.

— Steph Houghton

I don't tend to carry much cash around, as I use my bank card whenever I can.

— Steph Houghton

I think that's vitally important, that we get players playing at a younger age group.

— Steph Houghton

I'm a professional footballer, and I get paid for doing my job.

— Steph Houghton

We want to be treated as professionals and like the male footballers.

— Steph Houghton

The image of women's football has definitely changed. Now we've got to make sure it keeps developing.

— Steph Houghton

The Olympics is one of the memories that will always be with me. It changed my life for the better.

— Steph Houghton

We have to be playing near-perfect football to go and win a World Cup.

— Steph Houghton

I always knew I wanted an educational background, and my mum and dad were quite big on that.

— Steph Houghton