The Liverpool defender Gilly Flaherty, holder of the Women’s Super League appearance record, announced her retirement from football aged 31 on Thursday for family reasons.
Flaherty made 177 appearances for Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, winning the WSL four times. She also won seven Women’s FA Cups, as well as the Women’s Champions League in 2007.
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“It isn’t a decision I’ve taken lightly but one I’ve reached after speaking with those closest to me,” said Flaherty, who made her last appearance for Liverpool in a 2-0 league win against West Ham in December.
“Losing my dad just before Christmas has left me heartbroken – for 22 years we shared our love of football and playing-wise I don’t want to carry on without him by my side. Playing-wise, I know the right decision is for me to call it a day. The time is right for me to be around my family and to be nearest to those closest to me.”
Flaherty also made nine appearances for England from 2015-17. She moved to Liverpool last summer and became the WSL’s record appearance holder in November, passing the mark set by Jill Scott.
