Alex Scott: A living legend in women’s soccer
In 2002 when Alex Scott started her professional career in soccer, stadium attendances for women soccer barely exceeded a thousand. Many people were not interested in women soccer and the few who did only went to the grounds to support their friend and relative, virtually a few went there out of love of the game. However, when Alex finally called time on a long and illustrious 16-year career, she did so in a stadium that had over 5 thousand spectators in a match against Manchester City Ladies team.
Having witnessed and been part of the growth of women soccer in both the UK and the US, it’s fitting that Alex Scott gets the recognition that she deserves. Anyone not yet following but willing to follow women soccer can visit https://bonusreferrercode.com/, a site that reports all the latest news and rumours in women soccer from all corners of the globe.
Where it all started
Alex in her words says that she has been playing soccer for as long as she can remember. During her younger days, Alex used to play with her older brother who taught her how to kick the ball and do other basic skills. It is at this time that she started to fall in love with the beautiful game of football. The love for soccer kept growing inside her as she grew leading her to enrol with the Arsenal Academy in 1992 at the age of eight.
At the start of her academy days, Alex played as a forward before being converted to play as a fullback. Alex was part of the junior structures at Arsenal for 10 years from 1992 to 2002 before signing her first professional contract with the Arsenal. Scott failed, however, to break into the first team and was loaned to Birmingham City for the 2004/5 season. At Birmingham City, Alex played a big role as she helped the team finish fourth in the FA Women’s Premier League National Division. The loan was however cut short as she returned to Arsenal the following season as Birmingham City was facing financial difficulties.
Start of illustrious Arsenal playing career
It was only after her return from a loan spell with Birmingham City that Alex managed to break into the Arsenal first team. From 2005 to 2009, Alex was a permanent feature in Arsenal’s starting 11. During this time, Alex played a crucial role as Arsenal Ladies team dominated on the local and international front. In 2006, Arsenal won the domestic double lifting the FA Women’s Cup and the FA Women’s Premier League. The following season Arsenal took it one step further winning the quadruple. They lifted the FA Women’s Cup, FA Women’s Premier League, London County FA Women’s Cup and the prestigious UEFA Women’s Champions League. Alex was the heroine in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final as her goal was the difference between Arsenal and Umea IK.
Great trek to the Women Professional Soccer league (WPS)
In 2009, Alex joined the trek to the WPS to play in America. Alex played in the first 3 years of the WPS; initially, Alex’s rights were assigned to the Chicago Red Stars were she was supposed to play under Emma Hayes, a former Arsenal assistant manager. Her rights were however traded to the Boston Breakers. In the inaugural WPS season, Alex featured on 17 occasions chipping in with a single assist and a solitary goal.
An Arsenal Return
The WPS disintegrated ahead of the 2012 campaign prompting Alex to return to the Arsenal. Her third spell with the Arsenal was equally successful as she was named captain and guided the team to 2015 Continental Cup (she didn’t feature in the match) and 2016 FA Women’s Cup glory.
Second most capped England player
Alex’s success on the field of play was not only limited to club football but extended to the national team. Alex started her England career with the Under19 team where she participated in the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship hosted by Canada. She called time on her international career on September 2, 2017, after making 140 appearances making her the second most capped England player. During her time with England, Alex featured in the Great Britain Olympic side for the 2012 London Olympics. Alex got the runners-upmedal at the 2009 UEFA Women’s Euros and took the bronze medal at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bowing out in style
Alex could not have chosen a better time to bow out than 2018 as she retires at the same time that long-serving Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger is stepping down after 22 years at the realm. Alex’s part in propagating the Arsenal Ladies team brand to the whole world cannot be understated. Though the WPS failed, Alex had played her part in its 3-year existence of making it a global brand and for that, she will always be remembered. Away from the field of play, Alex has taken on a role as a pundit.
The WSU Team bringing you news and updates from the world of women’s football.
