Sue Lopez
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Sue Lopez MBE has been one of the most prominent figures in England’s women's football for the last three decades. Lopez had an amazing playing career of 20 years and is now prominent as one of the leading authorities and advocates of the women’s game in the UK.
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[edit] Playing career
At the age of 16, in 1966, Lopez made her debut for Southampton Women's Football Team. She was a regular in the side for twenty-years until her retirement from playing in 1986. However it was in the 1970s, when women’s football was in its infancy, that Lopez and her Southampton team won trophy after trophy as the team enjoyed extraordinary domination of the FA Women's Cup.
Southampton, with Lopez's efforts, won the cup eight times between 1971 and 1983, with Lopez appearing in eleven consecutive finals in that period. Lopez also won 22 caps as an England international, between 1973 and 1979.
[edit] Coaching
On retirement, in 1986, Lopez used her vast experience and intricate knowledge of the game to coach women’s football. This lead to Lopez gaining the FA Advance Licence in 1991. In 1996 she gained the UEFA 'A' Licence conversion. Lopez became part-time manager of the Welsh national women’s team. Until 2000 Lopez was Hampshire FA’s Coaching and Development Officer.
[edit] Recognition
In 2001 Lopez became The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Coach of the Year. Lopez was awarded the MBE for services to women’s football, in 2000, and she also took up the post of Head of Women’s Coaching at Southampton F.C. In 2004 Lopez was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. She remains dedicated to improving the profile of the women' game in England.
[edit] Publications
In 1997 Lopez published Women on the Ball, a women’s football handbook tracing the history and development of the game in England and abroad.
[edit] Further reading
- Lopez, Sue (1997). Women on the Ball: A Guide to Women's Football. London: Scarlet Press. ISBN 1-85727-016-9.
