20 Facts About Rachel Yankey

Rachel Yankey left Arsenal after 13 years in December 2016 at the end of her contract.

Since making her debut in 1997, Yankey appeared on 129 occasions for England and at the time became the most capped player ever to play for England, ahead of male goalkeeper Peter Shilton with 125.

Rachel Yankey was the second English female player, after Gillian Coultard, to make a century of international appearances.

Rachel Yankey was part of the Great Britain squad for the 2012 London Olympics.

Rachel Yankey began playing football as the only girl in a boys' team.

Rachel Yankey was able to play in the boys' team for two years before her real identity was discovered.

Rachel Yankey joined Mill Hill United at youth level after the club's manager, Russell Mountford, attended an annual general meeting at Rachel Yankey's boys' club.

Rachel Yankey represented Brent in the London Youth Games as a youngster, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rachel Yankey's senior playing career began at the age of 16, playing for Arsenal, when she spent a short time on loan with Laval Dynamites, a Canadian team, and then moved to Fulham in 2000.

Yankey, along with England teammate Rachel Unitt, played for the Wildcats for the last seven games of the season, and helped them win the W-League championship.

In January 2014 Rachel Yankey signed a new two-year contract with Arsenal.

Rachel Yankey became arguably the most famous female footballer in England, having modelled new England kits, and appeared on the FA women's homepage header.

Rachel Yankey is noted for appearing in the BBC's online BBC Sport 'Academy Masterclasses' mini-series, teaching young footballers basic soccer skills.

In May 2009, Rachel Yankey was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by The Football Association.

Rachel Yankey was overlooked for the 2011 Women's World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Turkey.

Rachel Yankey was included in the England squad which performed poorly at UEFA Women's Euro 2013 and was eliminated in the first round.

Rachel Yankey stressed that "the door is firmly open" for her to come back in.

Rachel Yankey was announced as a first team coach of London Bees in June 2018.

Rachel Yankey was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2006 New Year Honours and Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year Honours, both for services to football.

However, in 2010 Rachel Yankey indicated that it was actually related to her Ghanaian heritage.