Sue Lopez
Encyclopedia
Sue Lopez MBE
has been one of the most prominent figures in England’s women's football
for the last three decades. Lopez had an amazing playing career of 20 years and is now prominent as one of the leading authorities and advocates of the women’s game in the UK.
. She was a regular in the side for twenty-years until her retirement from playing in 1986. However it was in the 1970s, when women’s football was in its infancy, that Lopez and her Southampton team won trophy after trophy as the team enjoyed extraordinary domination of the FA Women's Cup
.
Southampton, with Lopez's efforts, won the cup eight times between 1971 and 1983, with Lopez appearing in eleven consecutive finals in that period. Lopez also won 22 cap
s as an England international, between 1973 and 1979.
Advance Licence in 1991. In 1996 she gained the UEFA
'A' Licence conversion. Lopez became part-time manager of the Welsh national women’s team. Until 2000 Lopez was Hampshire FA's Coaching and Development Officer.
Sportswomen of the Year Coach of the Year. Lopez was awarded the MBE
for services to women’s football, in 2000, and she also took up the post of Head of Women’s Coaching at Southampton F.C.
In 2004 Lopez was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame
. She remains dedicated to improving the profile of the women' game in England.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
has been one of the most prominent figures in England’s women's football
Women's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
for the last three decades. Lopez had an amazing playing career of 20 years and is now prominent as one of the leading authorities and advocates of the women’s game in the UK.
Playing career
At the age of 16, in 1966, Lopez made her debut for SouthamptonSouthampton Saints L.F.C.
Southampton Saints Girls and Ladies Football Club is an English women's football club formerly affiliated with Southampton F.C.. They play in the South West Combination Women's Football League, after winning the Southern Region Women's Footbal League in 2009–10.The club is descended from the...
. She was a regular in the side for twenty-years until her retirement from playing in 1986. However it was in the 1970s, when women’s football was in its infancy, that Lopez and her Southampton team won trophy after trophy as the team enjoyed extraordinary domination of the FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
.
Southampton, with Lopez's efforts, won the cup eight times between 1971 and 1983, with Lopez appearing in eleven consecutive finals in that period. Lopez also won 22 cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
s as an England international, between 1973 and 1979.
Coaching
On retirement, in 1986, Lopez used her vast experience and intricate knowledge of the game to coach women’s football. This led to Lopez gaining the FAThe Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
Advance Licence in 1991. In 1996 she gained the UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
'A' Licence conversion. Lopez became part-time manager of the Welsh national women’s team. Until 2000 Lopez was Hampshire FA's Coaching and Development Officer.
Recognition
In 2001 Lopez became The Sunday TimesThe Sunday Times (UK)
The Sunday Times is a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, distributed in the United Kingdom. The Sunday Times is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of News International, which is in turn owned by News Corporation. Times Newspapers also owns The Times, but the two papers were founded...
Sportswomen of the Year Coach of the Year. Lopez was awarded the MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to women’s football, in 2000, and she also took up the post of Head of Women’s Coaching at Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
In 2004 Lopez was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame
English Football Hall of Fame
The English Football Hall of Fame is housed at the National Football Museum, currently being relocated to Manchester, England. The Hall aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of the all-time top English footballing talents, as well as non-English players and managers who have become...
. She remains dedicated to improving the profile of the women' game in England.