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Leading from the Back: My Journey to the Top of Women's Football
SHORTLISTED FOR *AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR* AT THE CHARLES TYRWHITT SPORTS BOOK AWARDS
FOREWORD BY FELLOW LIONESS JILL SCOTT
*One of Waterstones' Best Sport Books of the Year 2024*
'Steph is truly one of the all-time greats of the women's game' Jill Scott
'Documents [Steph's] crucial role in helping to change perceptions of women's football' The Guardian
The inspiring memoir of one of football's greatest players - Steph Houghton - in which she recounts the highs and lows of making it to the top of her game as England Captain, star of the London Olympics, and Man City stalwart, via Sunderland, Leeds and Arsenal.
With 121 caps for the Lionesses, Steph has been at the heart of the women's football revolution, inspiring girls and young women around the world but in her own understated way.
Leading from the Back is Steph's incredibly honest account of what it takes to make it to the pinnacle of women's football when the odds are well and truly stacked against you.
Inside, she shares her dreams of becoming professional as a young girl in Sunderland and how reaching that status has been a long and often difficult path, both on and off the pitch, especially her husband Stephen Darby's devastating Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis. In between, she recounts the amazing highs of playing for her country, making history at the Olympics, lifting cups for her team, and the awe-inspiring people she has encountered along the way.
This is not only Steph's personal story, but also the story of women's football in England and internationally. Steph is credited as being one of the greatest influences in growing the women's game to the biggest it has ever been.
A remarkable journey of unwavering determination that reveals the grit needed to stay true to yourself, and what it really takes to be a leader; this is the full and incredible story of a sports pioneer, 'Super Steph'.
FOREWORD BY FELLOW LIONESS JILL SCOTT
*One of Waterstones' Best Sport Books of the Year 2024*
'Steph is truly one of the all-time greats of the women's game' Jill Scott
'Documents [Steph's] crucial role in helping to change perceptions of women's football' The Guardian
The inspiring memoir of one of football's greatest players - Steph Houghton - in which she recounts the highs and lows of making it to the top of her game as England Captain, star of the London Olympics, and Man City stalwart, via Sunderland, Leeds and Arsenal.
With 121 caps for the Lionesses, Steph has been at the heart of the women's football revolution, inspiring girls and young women around the world but in her own understated way.
Leading from the Back is Steph's incredibly honest account of what it takes to make it to the pinnacle of women's football when the odds are well and truly stacked against you.
Inside, she shares her dreams of becoming professional as a young girl in Sunderland and how reaching that status has been a long and often difficult path, both on and off the pitch, especially her husband Stephen Darby's devastating Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis. In between, she recounts the amazing highs of playing for her country, making history at the Olympics, lifting cups for her team, and the awe-inspiring people she has encountered along the way.
This is not only Steph's personal story, but also the story of women's football in England and internationally. Steph is credited as being one of the greatest influences in growing the women's game to the biggest it has ever been.
A remarkable journey of unwavering determination that reveals the grit needed to stay true to yourself, and what it really takes to be a leader; this is the full and incredible story of a sports pioneer, 'Super Steph'.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2024
18 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 7, 2025
informative and frank autobiography discussing her football career from origins in the north east to Manchester city
December 18, 2024
2.5 Very clunky, but amazing to see how far the women's game has come & how much Steph has dealt with over her career!
November 14, 2024
Steph is a champion and hearing the barriers she was part of breaking down is impressive and important to anyone who cares about equality. I love how much she cares about her family, kindness, and bettering the experiences for all involved in football.
As for the storytelling, I enjoyed the swearing and it clearly being true to Steph’s voice… but overall this biography was quite poorly written and could have done with a more engaging structure and one less “to be honest” to be honest.
As for the storytelling, I enjoyed the swearing and it clearly being true to Steph’s voice… but overall this biography was quite poorly written and could have done with a more engaging structure and one less “to be honest” to be honest.
February 7, 2025
4.0/5
Before reading this autobiography, I didn't knew much about Steph. I just knew her from football and her podcast. This book gave a really good insight into who Steph is on a personal level. The writing wasn't the best and the first 100 pages didn't hook me in. However, the pace picked up and especially admire how Steph wrote about the illness of her husband and how that affected her life and football. Furthermore, it was really interesting to read, how Steph and Sarina interacted and what challenges she faced when trying to get back into the England squad. Overall, the book shows how much Steph has done for women's football!
Before reading this autobiography, I didn't knew much about Steph. I just knew her from football and her podcast. This book gave a really good insight into who Steph is on a personal level. The writing wasn't the best and the first 100 pages didn't hook me in. However, the pace picked up and especially admire how Steph wrote about the illness of her husband and how that affected her life and football. Furthermore, it was really interesting to read, how Steph and Sarina interacted and what challenges she faced when trying to get back into the England squad. Overall, the book shows how much Steph has done for women's football!
December 30, 2024
Really great to read Steph's story and to find out just how much she and her agent Matt have done for the sport!
The writing style was a bit odd and repetitive for me.
The writing style was a bit odd and repetitive for me.
December 30, 2024
Without a shadow of doubt this woman is a legend. She inspires me every day.
November 12, 2024
god i love the north east.
cry cry cry, that’s all i did
cry cry cry, that’s all i did
July 27, 2025
Who would have thought I’d love a book on women’s football? What a story she’s had!
January 8, 2025
Phenomenal story of perseverance, character, and realness. Well done Steph.
November 30, 2024
Loved this one. Love the personal story.. the focus and the drive. Really enjoyed understanding more about the change and rise of women’s football.
November 17, 2024
progress in women’s football from the inside.
Loved reading this having watched many of the matches Steph played in, also the insight into the change in women’s football. Looking forward to what the future holds for Steph and Stephen.
Loved reading this having watched many of the matches Steph played in, also the insight into the change in women’s football. Looking forward to what the future holds for Steph and Stephen.
February 18, 2025
A Fantastic Footballer and Leader .. Steph was one of My Favourite Footballers .. She Worked So Hard to get where She did and now She Has retired She is still Leading .. A Good Book and an Honest Life ..
November 26, 2024
2.5 rounded down.
January 4, 2025
truly inspirational 🩵
April 9, 2025
The worst sport’s autobiography I have ever read. I think I read the word ‘amazing’ 727372772 times. Doesn’t criticise Giggs or Sampson or put their behaviour in context. Poor.
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July 24, 2025An inspiring read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews