Captain of the Foxes decides to hang up her boots
CITY NEWS WHELAN, 32, TO FOCUS ON HER ‘BEAUTIFUL FAMILY’ INSTEAD
easy, but it’s something I’ve been working on for a while.
“Professional football has been my life for the past decade. I’ve committed every day to the game and known no different.
“However, life changes, and now is the right time for me to focus on my beautiful family.
“I want to focus my attention and time on bringing up my children and making memories at home.
“My weekends will now be filled with adventures and exploring, and I can be present for all the milestones my children make.
“I will miss the game, the teammates I’ve had the pleasure of working with and the fun that we’ve had along the way.
“I’ve got a lot to look back at and celebrate, and now I’ll be LCFC Women’s biggest supporter.
“To captain LCFC Women in the WSL has been a true honour and one I am very proud of.
“My time at the club has been full of highs and lows, but we never gave up or let anything compromise our team character. I can wholeheartedly say, we gave it everything.” City have already eclipsed their points tally from last season for a new clubbest in the WSL, but they still have the chance to finish above 10th for the first time.
Beating Liverpool could earn them an eighth-placed finish depending on how Brighton and Everton fare on the final weekend.
Meanwhile, Jutta Rantala’s excellent maiden campaign with the club has been recognised, with the Finn shortlisted for the WSL’s Player of the Season award.
Already a double winner at the club, with City fans naming her player of the year and her teammates selecting her for the players’ player award, Rantala is now on the eight-woman shortlist for the division’s top prize.
Among those on the shortlist are Chelsea’s Lauren James and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw. The public vote closes on Monday.