Last night in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Ella Toone became Manchester United’s top appearance maker throughout all competitions, but did you know who tops the ranks for all the other teams?
Arsenal – Emma Byrne
Goalkeeper and irish international, Emma Byrne holds the most appearances for the North London Club. Byrne spent 17 years with the Gunners and in this time she made 459 appearances and won: 1x UEFA Women’s Champions League, 11x League titles, 9x FA Women’s Cups, 5x FA Women’s Premier League Cups and 2x FA Women’s League Cups.
Also during her club career, she made 134 appearances for the Republic of Ireland National Team whilst also serving time as captain. In 2018, she became the first ever player to be inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame.
Aston Villa – Sarah Mayling
Defender Sarah Mayling tops the leaderboard for Villa in terms of appearances. Mayling has been with the Birmingham club since 2021 where she previously was at Birmingham City after coming up through Villa’s youth academy. In her stints at the club, the defender has made 110 appearances in all competitions.
Mayling represented England at all youth levels, however, she is still waiting for the senior call-up from Sarina Weigman. The Birmingham born defender is still at Villa playing top flight football.
Brighton and Hove Albion – Kayleigh Barton
Forward and Welsh representative, Kayleigh Barton is the Seagulls all time top appearance maker. Over her time at the club, Barton made 111 appearances in all compeitions from the WSL to the League Cup, before she moved to Championship side Charlton Athletic.
The striker represenated Wales 88 times and registering 22 goals in that time. Barton was also named in the Wales Euros squad as they made their major tournament debut for the first time in their history. Kayleigh then retired from football in the summer of 2022.
Chelsea – Millie Bright
Captain and defender Millie Bright is Chelsea’s top appearance maker for her club. In 11 years she has made 280 appearances in all competitions. In this time, the West London club captain has won 9x WSL, 6x FA Women’s Cup, 3x FA Women’s League Cup, FA Community Shield.
Bright recently called time on her international career but during her run as England defender, she racked up 88 caps, a European Championship title, a World Cup Runner up medal and 2x Arnold Clark Cup titles.
Everton – Lindsay Johnson
Lindsay Johnson made 263 appearances for the Toffee’s starting in 1995 and ending an incredible 20 years later in 2015, just after Everton were unfortunately relegated a few months before her retirement. In her career span at the Merseyside club, Johnson won the FA Women’s Cup in 2010 and the FA Women’s Premier League Cup.
Johnson also had an eventful England career, she made her debut in 2004 and went on to win the Cyprus Cup in 2009 – she was also one of the first women to be given central contracts by the FA.
Leicester City – Samantha Tierney
Samantha Tierney is the all time appearance maker for Leicester City with 110 and counting. Tierney has been with the Foxes since 2020 and scored the winning goal against London City Lionesses to help Leicester gain promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2021.
Tierney has representated England at the Under 19’s level and is still waiting for that England senior call up.
Liverpool – Gemma Bonner
Gemma Bonner is the player to make the most appearances for Liverpool, playing 177 times for the club over two spells. Bonner captained the Merseyside club to back to back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014 after a spell of success with her former club, Chelsea.
Bonner represented England in all youth levels from under 17s all the way to under 23’s. The defender then moved on to make her senior debut for her country in 2013 and went on to make 12 appearances as a senior player and scoring 1 goal.
London City Lionesses – Harley Bennett
Harley Bennett became London City Lionesses top appearance maker in 2024 before she departed the club to move to Bristol City, just before London City won promotion to the WSL. In her time at the London club, the defender racked up 53 appearances across all competitions.
Manchester City – Steph Houghton
Defender Steph Houghton holds the record for most appearances for Manchester City with 242. Houghton signed for City on the 1st January 2014 and was at the club until her retirement in 2024. During her time with the Cityzens, Houghton collected a good amount of honours including – FA WSL, x3 FA Women’s Cup, x4 FA WSL Cup.
The defender also had a brilliant England career, she featured in all youth groups and then went on to make her debut in 2007. Throughout her time with England, Houghton captained the side and went to many International tournaments, racking up 122 England Caps.
Manchester United – Ella Toone
The English midfielder has made 200 appearances for the club in all competitions. Toone signed for United in 2018 and has since made herself one of the most important players to the squad. The midfielder made her 200th appearance for the club on Thursday in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Ella has won the Championship and the FA Cup with the club.
Toone made her England debut on the 23rd February 2021 and since then has won the Euros back to back, came second in the World Cup and won the Finalissma. Toone has registered herself 65 England caps and to this day is still an active member of the Lionesses.
Tottenham Hotspur – Ashleigh Neville
Ashleigh Neville tops the records when it comes to appearance making at Tottenham Hotspur – she has made 164 appearances across all competitions. Neville has competed in the FA Women’s Cup Final and got herself a runners up accolade for the fixture.
West Ham United – Kate Longhurst
Kate Longhurst has had a lengthy yet sucessful career, racking up 130 appearances for the London club. The football veteran gained herself a runners-up medal with West Ham in the FA Women’s Cup in the year 2019. Longhurst retired last year and yet no one has caught up with her in terms of appearances.
The midfielder representated England at many youth levels but never managed to break into the senior Lionesses team.
How long do you think it will be until these records are overtaken or will they stand strong in their clubs for years to come?
