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Presentation address by Lydia Shale

Chancellor,    

It is my honour to present Steph Houghton MBE for the award of an Honorary Doctorate.

With 121 caps for England, and eight years as captain, Steph Houghton is a defining figure in English football. She led the Lionesses to one of their highest World Cup finishes in 2015, securing a historic bronze medal. On the pitch, her defensive strength, tactical intelligence, and calm leadership have inspired teammates and fans alike. At club level, to Manchester City fans, she is simply ‘Super Steph’, the club’s record appearance holder and most decorated player, with eight major trophies to her name, having already tasted success at Arsenal with two league titles and five domestic cups.

But Steph’s legacy extends far beyond medals. She has been a pioneering advocate for women’s sport—mentoring young players, challenging inequalities, and using her platform to push for greater visibility and opportunity in football. Her influence has been instrumental in driving the remarkable growth in women’s participation across the UK.  As a footballer myself, I grew up with Steph as an inspiration, shining a light on all the possibilities open to me. If Steph could do it, so could I.

Steph’s ties to Leeds run deep. From 2007 to 2010, she played for Leeds Carnegie, lifting the FA Women’s Premier League Cup in 2010. Despite the funding barriers the team faced, which ultimately led to them not becoming founding members of the Women’s Super League, Steph’s belief in the power and potential of the women’s game never wavered. She has spoken candidly about this time, highlighting the systemic challenges women faced, and still face, in sport.

Off the field, Steph has shown remarkable resilience and compassion. Following her husband Stephen Darby’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease, she became a patron of the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation. Steph and Stephen’s efforts, alongside others like Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield, have brought national attention and vital support to this cause.

Chancellor, Steph’s career is defined by excellence, leadership, and service. I, alongside many others, am eternally grateful to Steph for enabling us to thrive in the sporting environment that she helped create. She embodies the values we hold dear at Leeds: teamwork, inclusivity, and care, and it is with great pride that we recognise her achievements today.  

Chancellor, I am deeply honoured and excited to present to you, for the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Steph Houghton.