The Barclays Women’s Super League Hall of Fame has announced Karen Carney MBE as the first inductee of 2022.
Carney becomes the fifth individual to be inducted since The FA and lead partner Barclays launched the Hall of Fame last year and is the first of three inductees to be recognised this year.
Nicknamed ‘The Wizard,’ Carney had an illustrious career that included nine seasons in the Barclays Women’s Super League with hometown club Birmingham City and Chelsea.
Over her entire career, she won a number of honours following stints with Birmingham City and Arsenal, as well as with the Chicago Red Stars and Chelsea, which included the infamous ‘quadruple’ with the Gunners in 2007.
Her honours during her time in the Barclays WSL include topping the league scoring charts with Birmingham in 2014, as well as winning the Vitality Women’s FA Cup with the Blues in 2012. She also achieved an impressive league and cup double with Chelsea in 2017/2018.
Earning 144 England Caps places her as the third most capped England Women’s international of all time, with her Lionesses career ending following the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
Her skills on the pitch and ability to analyse the game off it have led to opportunities in the broadcast world since she ended her playing career, working on Sky Sports’ Barclays WSL coverage, as well as with ITV and Amazon Prime.
Carney’s induction was confirmed by the Barclays WSL Hall of Fame selection panel, which features prominent former players, coaches and an official from the women’s game, as well as journalists and members of FA staff.
Chair of the Barclays WSL Hall of Fame panel, Kelly Simmons, said: “Induction into the Barclays WSL Hall of Fame is the highest individual honour offered by the league and I am delighted that Karen is our first inductee of 2022.
“She played at the very highest level for a prolonged period of time, and her record speaks for itself. She is absolutely deserving of being inducted into our Barclays WSL Hall of Fame.
“Not only was she an incredible player, but she is a wonderful ambassador for our game and has gone on to be a brilliant pundit. Congratulations on your induction, Karen.”
Two more individuals are to be inducted at 12pm and 2pm, with extended interviews available to watch on Sky Sports’ ‘Inside the WSL’ show tonight at 6.30pm on Sky Sports Football.
