Steph Turner to retire from football at the end of the season

Swansea City defender Steph Turner has announced she will retire from football at the end of the season, and bring down the curtain on her career with her childhood club.

Turner, who helped the Swans lift the inaugural Welsh top-flight title in 2009-10, has made over 100 appearances for her childhood club across two spells. 

A lifelong Swans fan, Turner's earliest footballing memories being visits to the Vetch Field to watch the men's senior side in action.

She will make her final home appearance for Swansea on Sunday, when TNS visit the Swansea.com Stadium in the Genero Adran Premier.

In addition to her two spells in Swansea colours, Turner also enjioyed a trophy-laden 12 seasons with Cardiff Met.

During that period, she won six Genero Adran Premier titles, three Welsh Cups and five Adran Trophies.

Since returning to SA1 at the start of the 2023-24 season, Turner has made 52 appearances for the Swans, scoring four goals, including a brace in a 10-1 victory over Pontypridd United in October.

“I think, for me, it’s definitely the right time. I did consider retirement last season, but I realised I wanted to give it one more year with Swansea. Now, though, it feels like the right moment to finish," said Turner.  

“When Swansea used to play at the Vetch Field, me and my family were season ticket holders and we were down there every single game. To go from watching the club fight to stay up, to now having the opportunity to play at the Swansea.com Stadium myself, has been really special.

“I spent a long time at Cardiff Met and had a really successful period there, but I felt like I needed a new challenge and to be closer to home and my family. So when the opportunity to come back to Swansea came up, it was a no-brainer for me.

“I’ve had some big influences during my career. When I first joined Swansea as a youngster, Ian Owen had a huge impact with everything he did for the club to make it what it is today. 

"At Cardiff Met, I worked with (current Swans head coach) Yzzy [Taylor] and Kerry Harris, who have both had a big influence on women’s football in Wales.

“The development in the women’s game since I started playing has been massive. The progress it has made has been unbelievable, and I think it’s only going to keep improving.

“This season has gone really quickly. Having thought about this last year, for it to come around so fast has been quite surreal, but I’m really looking forward to having my family there for the game against TNS at the stadium on Sunday.

Swansea City Women head coach Yzzy Taylor spent a number of years as Turner’s teammate at Cardiff Met, before also coaching her with the Archers and the Swans. 

Taylor praised Turner’s impact on the game in Wales, and admits she will be a huge loss not only to the club, but to the Welsh women’s domestic game as a whole.

“I’ve worked with Steph as both a player and a coach over a period of 14 years, and it’s a huge credit to her for what she has brought to the game in Wales," said Taylor. 

"If you look at the number of appearances made by players in this league over the years, Steph Turner would be right up there.

“She’s been fantastic during her time at Swansea, but she’s also been a huge figure for the league as a whole. She’ll be a big loss, and she’s been great to have around the squad and the environment.

“A huge credit to her for a fantastic career, and I wish her all the very best for the future.”

Everyone at Swansea City would like to thank Steph for her service to the club and wish her all the very best for the future.