The Spartans FC can today confirm that goalkeeper Rachel Harrison has decided to retire from football. Rachel’s decision sees her hang up the boots after 14 years of playing the game.

Of those years, Rachel spent 12 years at Spartans, our first player to become a double centurion, racking up a total of 245 appearances. Throughout her time at the club, Rachel was involved in many iconic moments including the Sky Sports Cup campaign of 2022 where Rachel helped the team progress with back-to-back penalty shootout wins.

On announcing her decision to step away from the game, Rachel had the below to say:
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I feel like it is the right time. Spartans has been my family for the last 12 years, and the club will always be very special to me. The highs and lows, the experiences and the friends I have made – I look back on with pride and will remember fondly for the rest of the life!

Coming to Spartans as a 20 year to be the first player to reach 200 appearance is something I am immensely proud of – and I couldn’t have done it without every single player and coach who I have worked with over the years – if I could do it all over then I absolutely would.

Football has been my life for over 20 years – and pulling on a Spartans shirt for 12 of those years has been a honour every single time – it will never be a goodbye and I am excited for the next part of my journey. Always a Spartan!”

Rachel leaves with the clubs’ best wishes, with Chairman Craig Graham stating:

“Rachel has been a fantastic servant to Spartans, and I am sad to see her hanging up her boots.  I am sure she could continue playing for a couple of seasons!  Her professionalism and dedication rubbed off on all our other players.  Rachel – thank you for everything you have done for Spartans”