Rachel Yankey and Steph Houghton believe it is important to keep celebrating all that is good about women’s football.

The Arsenal and England duo were among the 300-strong contingent of players, coaches and club officials who were in attendance at Friday’s 14th annual FA Women’s Awards.

England manager Roy Hodgson and Olympic legend Denise Lewis were also present as the women’s game took centre stage at the Waldorf Hilton in London.

Hosted by ESPN’s Kelly Cates, the awards honoured the biggest names from 2012.

Among the winners were England captain Casey Stoney, who picked up International Player of the Year, U19 defender Alex Greenwood, who won FA Young Player of the Year and Birmingham City collected Club of the Year.

Yankey received a special mention after she set a new England appearance record (121 caps) and she thinks the awards are a great idea.

She said: “Women’s football is just getting bigger and bigger and it’s nice to have events like this where we can come together and keep everyone talking about the game.

“Things have changed so much since I first started out. Players are fitter and technically better than they have ever been and that has helped the game become far more enjoyable as a spectacle.

“It was nice to be recognised today but hopefully I can win many more caps.”

Houghton echoed her team-mate’s sentiments.

The Durham girl, who starred for Team GB at the Olympics, said: “2012 was a massive year for women’s sport and football in particular.

“The Olympics were huge, something we will never forget, and hopefully it will help get more and more girls involved in the game in the future.

“Next year we have got the Euros to look forward to so we are all focussed on that now. We did well to qualify but now it’s time to make a real impact at a tournament.”