Sunderland AFC Women is sad to announce that Keira Ramshaw will be medically retiring from football after spending her whole career on Wearside.
The Club’s longest-serving Women’s player retires after making 244 appearances during a 14-year spell.
Ramshaw is one of only two players to play over 200 games for SAFC Women, along with former skipper Stephanie Bannon.
The 29-year-old has been captain of the team since 2018 and has also won various accolades during her time here, including the Ladies’ Player of the Year and National League Player of the Year.
Sunderland Women physio Hayley Arnold said: “Keira initially sustained a medial ankle sprain with an avulsion fracture during pre-season of 2022. She returned to play after three months of rehabilitation but unfortunately in October 2022, she suffered a second ankle injury to the lateral ligaments that required surgery. Keira’s problems are complex and unfortunately the treatment available to her, and the effects these will have, mean she will no longer be able to continue her career.”
Sunderland captain Keira Ramshaw said: “If I look back to where I started at 16, I remember the feeling of getting the call-up to the first-team and it was an amazing achievement. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of the team ever since. 14 years later we’ve had two promotions, we’ve won League Cups, lots of things that we’ve achieved and I’ve done a full circle with the Club, but it’s been a journey and a half.”
Lasses Head Coach Mel Reay added: “The news of Keira’s impending retirement filled me with great sadness. It is hard to put into words the contribution she has made to the Women’s game. The best way to sum it up is to say that I believe she is the most important player to have ever worn the Red and White stripes for the Lasses, and that certainly is high praise indeed. Keira is the role model that every young female footballer across Sunderland should aspire to be and I can only hope that we can now utilise her stellar experience and leadership skills with the next generation in our pathway.”
General Manager Alex Clark said: “We are extremely disappointed for Keira that she’s had to retire. The Club will continue to support her off the field and it is great that she’s staying around the Club in other roles. We look forward to hosting a testimonial next summer. She’s been a great servant to the Club and we thank her for her ongoing and continuing service to Sunderland.”
Everyone at Sunderland AFC would like to thank Keira for her immense contribution to the Club.
Captain, leader, legend. Thank you, Keira.