**Steph Houghton: ‘I felt let down by the lack of human touch with England’** The former England captain reflects on the pursuit of equality, her challenges under Sarina Wiegman, and her husband’s battle with motor neurone disease (MND). “There were moments when I thought: ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’” Steph Houghton recalls, reflecting on the tough years she spent advocating for equality in the often unequal landscape of English football. With 121 caps for England and serving as captain from 2014 to 2021, Houghton’s most impactful contributions extended beyond the pitch. She collaborated closely with a small group of fellow players to confront male executives, managers, and sponsors who frequently displayed a dismissive attitude towards women’s football. At 36, Houghton’s eyes reveal the passion and frustration she experienced during her fight for change. “I’d come home from training, having sacrificed time with my husband for a meeting, only to take a call that left me feeling deflated. You start to wonder: ‘What’s the point of this?’ But that’s why having a supportive group is crucial; when one of us gets frustrated, someone else steps up to continue the fight. I’m incredibly grateful that I wasn’t alone in this; many people played a significant role in the changes we ultimately achieved.”