Against France in the 2012 Cyprus Cup, Casey Stoney became only the fifth-ever player to reach 100 caps for the England Women’s team.
As her caps total testifies, the defender has been a regular fixture in Hope Powell’s set-up for over a decade, having first appeared against France in August 2000, and Casey has deservedly risen to the rank of vice-captain, behind Faye White.
The Lincoln Ladies star was part of the England squad that qualified for the 2007 World Cup in China, England’s first World Cup appearance for 12 years, and she was one of only four (England) players to feature in every minute.
Back then Casey operated primarily at left-back, and it was in this position she started the 2009 Euros. Suspension ruled her out of the second group match, against Russia, but she came straight back into the team and helped her country get to the Final, where they lost to perennial champions Germany.
Next up it was the 2011 World Cup campaign, by which time Casey had moved into the centre of defence alongside White. England qualified unbeaten for the Finals in Germany and Stoney featured in every match, captaining her country to victory over eventual World Champions Japan. Casey also scored in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to France.
In the absence of White, Stoney captained England in four of England's first five Euro 2013 qualifiers so far, and was also handed the captain’s armband on the occasion of her 100th cap in March.