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The former centre-back is a three-time WSL champion, made 121 appearances for England as captain, and played in three World Cups and two European Championships.
Former England captain Steph Houghton has revealed that there's a need to fight the disparity in earnings between male and female footballers, highlighting a necessity for change.
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The former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back said despite being one of the most influential figures in English women's football, her salary at Arsenal was a modest £9,000 per year.
The 36-year-old stated that she played for the Arsenal women's team when they were the best club in England, and yet her pay was low.
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She said, "Arsenal was the best club in England and that was their level. Money was never really a driver for me."
However, as Houghton gained more experience and learned about the industry, she realised the importance pay gap between male and female footballers.
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"When I looked at what [England’s men] were getting for commercial deals, that 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?" she told the Guardian.
Houghton has become a vocal advocate for equal pay and works tirelessly to improve the conditions for female footballers.
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"I got the bit between my teeth and I was like: 'OK, we need to do something about that," she said.
The former centre-back is a three-time WSL champion, made 121 appearances for England as captain and played in three World Cups and two European Championships.
Houghton left Arsenal in 2014 for Man City, where she made 233 appearances over 10 years.
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