This year should live long in Steph Houghton’s memory, and the England Women's skipper helps us to launch the Vauxhall England Women's Player of the Year award.
In April she inherited the armband from Casey Stoney and led the team in Mark Sampson’s first match in charge – a 1-1 draw with Norway in La Manga in January. She was handed the role permanently three months later.
The 26-year-old went on to captain the Three Lions through a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign in which they won all ten qualifiers, conceding just one goal.
And in November, Houghton skippered England in their first match at the new Wembley Stadium, a 3-0 defeat to eight-time European champions Germany.
This historic match attracted a record crowd for a Women’s match in this country - 45,619. The defender also scored her seventh international goal in the 3-0 win over Belarus in June.
At domestic level, Houghton led Manchester City to FA WSL Continental Cup glory in October, the first trophy in the club’s history.
To vote for Steph as your Vauxhall England Women's Player of the Year, sign up for FREE to become a member of the England Supporters Club and make your choice here...
[Voting closes at midnight on New Year's Eve]
