After magnificent performances throughout the Olympic Games, Steph Houghton is on a crest of a wave and has become a huge star.
One of the most well recognised faces in women’s football; she will be in action for England on Wednesday when they play Croatia, knowing that victory will take Hope Powell’s side into the European Championships next summer.
The 24-year old came to prominence in London, scoring in all of Team GB’s group games including an early and popular winner against Brazil infront of 70,000 at Wembley Stadium.
While a lot of the attention was on British success from cyclists, rowers and athletes, Steph (pictured) became the new golden girl of women’s football and an unsung superstar with many at the Olympics.
Brilliant versatility
Now back in England colours, she told the FA’s official TV channel recently: “The Olympics were an amazing experience which is something that we will never ever forget.
“It’s been the highlight of my career so far and to be part of something special in London was something I’m really proud and privileged to be part of.”
Houghton’s natural position is as a left back but she is a brilliant versatile player and has played over 25 times for the national team before.
The Arsenal Ladies player has Steven Gerrard and David Beckham down as her heroes and is a very likeable character with many within the women’s game.
England coach Powell, who also was in charge of Team GB’s effort at the Olympics has praised Houghton’s versatility.
She said: “Her versatility is just amazing. She can play in defence, midfield and upfront."
A complete player
“She is your complete player. She’s got a good engine, she can distribute well – both short and long – she has a bit of flair, she can head and she can tackle.
“I think potentially she has everything needed to be a world class player.”
Born in Durham, Steph is a massive Sunderland fan and went to the Stadium of Light to see the Black Cats share the spoils with Liverpool in their Premier League encounter at the weekend.
She has become a big hit recently, as women's football is beginning to earn more attention in newspaper columns and TV sport updates.
She recently challenged Mark Lawrenson on his BBC prediction game, has had her fair share of interviews to do and her popularity exploded on Twitter after that goal against the Brazilians in the summer.
Her account @stephhoughton2, which had a couple of thousand followers before the Olympics grew by an extra 20,000 after her impact on the women’s football tournament.
In fact in April, Houghton was appointed as one of eight digital media ambassadors, to represent Arsenal Ladies and help promote the profile of the Women’s Super League through Twitter.
Hopeful of big crowd boosts
The impact of women’s football on the Olympics was absolutely massive and Steph hopes that the crowds will be boosted for Super League matches and especially England qualifiers.
“We need to get as many people as we can down to Walsall to come along and watch football and that’s the main thing.
“It’s a big game for us, we need to go and win and if we go and win, we will qualify for the Euros.
“We would like to put a good performance in but it will be even better if we get people through the gates at Walsall to come and support the team.”
Life hasn’t always been kind to her, especially in terms of injuries.
The former Sunderland and Leeds United player missed the World Cup in 2007 due to a broken leg and the last European Championships in 2009 through a cruciate ligament injury.
Full of prominence, composure and dignity, Steph Houghton is hoping to continue her recent surge of form that has seen her and the game of women’s football thrust straight into the limelight.
Playing football is her pure love and another quality performance against Croatia is likely for one of the main success stories of not just the Olympics but the sporting year of 2012 in general.
You can watch Steph and the England women’s team attempt to qualify for the European Championships with victory over Croatia. The match is live on Wednesday on BBC Two from 4.45pm, kick-off at 5pm.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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