Chelsea star Millie Bright’s incredible journey from Sheffield United to international stardom with England
Millie Bright has announced her retirement from professional football
With a combined total of 19 trophies across her career for club and country, Millie Bright will go down as one of the most influential figures in the history of women's football.
To many she’s one of the main faces associated with Emma Haye’s all-conquering Chelsea team that swept up almost every trophy available for more than a decade, while to others Bright is synonymous with England’s first ever European Championship triumph as Sarina Weigman’s Lionesses finally managed to do what the male team has failed to do for the last 66 years and bring football home, not just once but twice.
However, here in Sheffield, she's viewed as a beacon of light for young footballers and an inspiration on just how far aspiring players can go in the game.
She might have been born in Chesterfield, but Bright is synonymous with grassroots football in the Steel City.
The 88-time international began playing football at age nine starting out at local side Killamarsh Dynamos before being scouted for Sheffield United women, where she spent a stint as a teenager.
"I’ve never had anyone say it to my face, but you always see people online saying girls should stay out of football and stick to dance instead. I’ve never let that stop me. Seeing players like Millie shows me that there is a place for me in the sport,” said aspiring footballer Holly Davis, aged 13.
Bright played for The Blades until the age of 16 before moving to Doncaster Belles in 2009. Described at the time by the club as "a tall, powerful, athletic striker with a good eye for goal," Bright made her Belles debut as a substitute against Watford at the Keepmoat Stadium in August 2009.
In search of more first team football, Bright spent a brief period on loan at Leeds United in 2011/12 before returning to Doncaster and establishing herself as one of the first names on the teamsheet in the heart of defence.
Bright was critical of FA’s controversial decision to demote the Belles from the top-flight just one game into the 2013 season. Reflecting on the decision she said: “It was heartbreaking. It felt like we weren't respected or even wanted in the league, purely based on money. It should be about the level you play at, not how much money you have. That season, we just felt what's the point?”
However, it wouldn’t be long before Bright would find herself back in the Women’s Super League, and just competing in it but winning the whole thing in 2015.
To many, winning one title marks the pinnacle of, but Bright would win further seven WSL titles - many of those as captain - and that’s without mentioning the 10 domestic cup triumphs on top of that.
The only missing piece of the jigsaw at club level was the Champions League, but Bright still has a lasting legacy when it comes to success on the European stage.
She represented England 88 times in total and significantly started all six matches as they claimed a first major trophy in 2022.
Bright also captained the Lionesses throughout the 2023 World Cup campaign in Leah Williamson’s absence and was a rock in the team that reached the final before a narrow defeat to eventual winners Spain.
"Millie has played such a big role in the growth of the women's game, with both England and Chelsea, and she has achieved so much along the way - what she has given to her club and country is incredible," said Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman.
"It is hard to put into words the impact she has had. She has inspired so many people, pushed standards and shown girls and boys what can be achieved in the sport."
Bright’s retirement marks the end of a glittering 17-year career as a player, but her association with Chelsea looks set to continue beyond this season.
“ I'm ready to go into a new era. I'm always going to be Chelsea, but just in a different way."
The 32-year-old will stay at Chelsea in two off-pitch roles, as a trustee of their foundation and in a new role as an ambassador.