Former England captain Steph Houghton recently shared details about her modest salary during her time at Arsenal, highlighting how dramatically conditions in women’s football have improved.
Houghton, who joined Arsenal in 2010 and helped the team win two Women’s Super League titles and two FA Cups, disclosed that her annual salary at the time was just £4,000.
Potential bonuses could boost this by an additional £5,000, but even with her income from part-time coaching and ambassadorial roles, her pay reflected the limited financial support for women’s football in the early 2010s.
Despite her low pay, Houghton emphasized that her motivation came from her passion for the game and the chance to play for a prestigious club like Arsenal.
However, she explained that as she became more aware of fair pay standards, she realised the need for change, both for herself and her teammates.
Over her 14-year international career, she played a key role in the Lionesses' campaign for equal pay, noting how stark the pay gap was compared to their male counterparts.
At one point, the FA only allocated about two percent of commercial earnings to the England women’s team, a figure Houghton felt compelled to challenge.
Houghton also reflected on the landmark changes she helped to secure, particularly around the 2015 Women’s World Cup, where England finished third. That tournament marked the first time the team received a meaningful bonus, a shift that allowed players to consider life-changing investments, such as buying a home.
Her advocacy helped establish financial incentives as standard for major tournaments, changing how female athletes are valued and paving the way for future generations.
Source:
The Metro
