Everton Ladies' Rachel Brown-Finnis announces retirement

Everton Ladies' goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis has announced her retirement from football after 12 years with the club.

The 34-year-old began her career with Liverpool and after a five-year spell in America joined Everton Ladies in 2003.

During her 12 years with the club Brown-Finnis has helped Everton win FA Women’s Cup and finish runners-up in the women’s top division - previously the Women's Premier League and now the professional Women's Super League -  five times. She was also named Everton Ladies' Player of the Year in 2012.

Brown-Finnis also earned international recognition with England at the age of 16 and has gone on to earn 82 caps, playing at two World Cups and representing Team GB at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Back at club level Brown-Finnis has worked with Everton's official charity - Everton in the Community - for seven years as a coach helping to raise the profile of the women's game.

She will now continue that work in the role of Everton Ladies Ambassador, a newly created position given to her following retirement.

Brown-Finnis said:

"It was a tough decision. To be honest, it is something that I have been considering over the past 18 months or so and it is simply down to the amount of pain I suffer with my knee and back over the course of a season. It’s down to whether I can continue to withstand that pain after every training session.

"It is emotional for me but I think now is the right time.

"I am really proud to say that role has been offered to me by Andy Spence and Everton Football Club. I’ve played for the club for over 12 years and I also spent seven years with Everton in the Community, so I do have a massive affinity with this Club.

"Anything I can do, with my experience on and off the pitch, I would just love to give that back to a club that has given me so much."