June 2, 2003

England Captain Karen Walker hangs up her international boots

England captain Karen Walker announced her retirement from international football. She decided to end her career after winning the Sky Sports International Player honour.

She holds the record for the most goals scored for England with 40 goals in 83 appearances. After a 17-year long career Walker regained a starting place up front for England in 2001-2002, and took over as captain.

She told TheFA.com: I really enjoyed the World Cup qualifiers and after the France game, I initially felt high on the adrenalin and said I did not want to retire. But in the weeks after that game, I felt really gutted that we had not made it to the World Cup. The thought about retirement started creeping into my mind and I wondered whether I would make it to Euro 2005. Without having any competitive games until then, and with Hope obviously wanted to try out new players and new formations in friendlies, I have been finding it hard to motivate myself to train for two hours every day without playing.

My friends, family and several players have gone mad because I am retiring and that is flattering, but now after telling Hope my decision this morning, I feel as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Walker will be 34 next month, and she played her last international as a second half substitute in the 0-4 defeat away against Canada in May. INational Coach