Jane Beattie, the former Arsenal and Manchester City Women’s defender, has announced her retirement from football.
The 33-year-old retires from a career that spanned nearly 19 years, during which he played all over the world in the UK, Australia and USA, as well as internationally for Scotland.
Beatty said in an exclusive interview with ABC News: “It took a long time to reach a decision, but the time has finally come to retire and walk away from football and the game that I have loved for a long time.” Sky Sports News.
“There are a lot of different reasons, but ultimately it’s been something that’s been on my mind for a few seasons now. You never know when the time is just right, but a lot of other things were really satisfying me and I was ready to start doing that next.” the chapter.”
Here, she looks back at her football career and what comes next…
“The first Arsenal represented a turning point in my life.”
Betty began her career with Celtic in her hometown of Glasgow, before moving to Arsenal in 2009.
“I was playing football at senior level in Scotland and we started at 16, 17 and 18, but it was completely amateur.
“Arsenal were always the first team. They won the European Cup in 2009 and I got the call straight after that.
“The phone call to sign me was one of those moments I will never forget. I was incredibly lucky with a guy called Tony Gervais, who is the Scotland Under-19s coach, who got the job as an assistant at Arsenal.”
“It was a turning point in my entire life and the best decision I ever made to go and sign.”
“Montpellier is one of the best and hardest things I have done.”
After four successful years at Arsenal, Petit moved to France to play for Montpellier…
“When I signed for Arsenal, I was among the biggest names in football. Instead of watching these players on TV, I’m in the dressing room with Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankee, Alex Scott and all these players I’m dealing with.” I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time, so let me know what success looks like and what it takes to get there.
“But they were still semi-professional and there was no place for me on a contractual basis. Full-time opportunities existed elsewhere and Montpellier were looking for a centre-back. My brother was playing rugby there at the same time.” Time, so I had a little comfort blanket.
“It was the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done, to play in the south of France. It sounds amazing and in many ways it did, but I was only 22 and it was a different language and a different style of football. But I learned a lot about myself and it’s important “It’s very difficult to get through these difficult times.”
“Man City’s early project surprised me”
Beattie returned to the WSL in 2015 when she signed with Manchester City…
“Their project and plans blew every other club out of the park at the time – and the way they were investing in the women’s team. I will never forget the call when they showed me the plans. It was their style of football and being back in England, close to friends and family.
“One of the best decisions I ever made was to sign for Manchester City. I have some of my best memories there and I think I have progressed incredibly well as a footballer too.
“Nick Cushing, to this day, is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with, playing alongside some great players and winning championships again.”
Playing in Melbourne with Little, Fishlock and Catley
While at Manchester City, there was also a short loan spell at Melbourne City between 2015 and 2016 – a team that is also part of the City Football Group…
“We were in the summer league at that stage and Melbourne played during the break, so I didn’t miss any football.
“They wanted to sign a centre-back and I thought I would love to go and do it 100%.” Again, those four months were some of the best four months of my life.
“Melbourne is an unbelievable city, and I felt safe within the City Football Group, and I learned a similar style of football. I was playing with my best mate, Kim Little, who came with us and also with Jess Fishlock, another great midfielder. There I also met Steve Catley , who became one of my best colleagues.
“I know it’s ironic to go to the other side of the world to play football when you want to be closer to friends and family, but football is about experiences, growth and challenge. This was another one of those moments where I was out of my depth.” Comfort Zone I lifted two more trophies there.”
Betty’s diagnosis of breast cancer
Betty returned to Arsenal in 2019, but in 2020, she stepped away from the game for a period after being diagnosed with breast cancer…
“I always give Arsenal credit because going through something as difficult as breast cancer, I felt very supported, whether that was emotionally or physically, through the diagnosis with tests and appointments.
“The hardest part was having to step away from football to have the surgery. All I wanted to do was get back to playing with my teammates, get back to competing and everything I craved, but it was the mentality of an athlete.”
“I was putting one foot in front of the other and trying to get through it the best way I could. I felt really lucky to have a great group of people at the club.
The defender helped Arsenal win the Conte Cup in her second spell with the club
“I always talk about Joe Montemurro in that sense. I always knew he was a wonderful human being, but he becomes a second father in that moment, when you’re away from friends and family.
“My perspective on football has changed. I will always be competitive and chase trophies – that is part of me. I always wanted to play at the top with the best players, but having fun has become more important or connecting with my teammates is what matters.” . I really appreciate it.
“I honestly enjoyed every day after that, regardless of injuries or selections or anything. It brought me closer to my teammates. Winning just one title after that doesn’t seem like the most successful period, but they probably are some of them.” “My most enjoyable years, things have been turned upside down.”
“Winning charity awards is the thing I’m most proud of.”
Betty has won awards for her charitable work around breast cancer awareness. In 2021, she won the BBC Helen Morrison Sports Personality of the Year and an MBE in 2023. In America, she also received the Lauren Holiday Award for her contributions to society…
“Football has a platform and I think it’s a responsibility we all have as women in the game. That’s something I’ve never taken lightly, and I’ve always respected the kind of platform we have and wanted to use it for good.”
“No matter what I went through personally, it was never about me. It was about the bigger picture and trying to share stories and create communities within football, but outside of football as well.
“I share my story, again, never in a million years did I think it would lead to awards, but in the end it’s probably the things I’m most proud of because it’s not about football and that’s how you are as a human being.
“It’s also an honor for football to truly share this story. I’ve been blown away by the support of the football community and the way they’ve shown support in sharing this story is something I’ll never forget.”
“The challenge for Bay FC and the NWSL is tougher than expected.”
Jean Beattie left Arsenal to join NRL side Bay FC last year (Photo courtesy of Bay FC)
After leaving Arsenal for the second time, Betty joined the NFL’s Bay FC, marking her first time playing in the USA…
“It’s hard to watch the NRL with the time difference, but it was always the league that interested me. What Bay FC were trying to do as a club was really similar to the European style of football and I thought: ‘If I’m going to do it, it’s now or never.'” .
“It seemed right at the time, and I’m really grateful for that. It was another challenge and probably harder than I expected.”
“This league is another level and it’s really tough physically. But as a kid from Glasgow and living in California during my last year of playing, it was an amazing experience. I’ve got the palm tree tattoo to prove it.”
“Special days being part of the Scotland squad”
Jean Beattie announced her international retirement in January 2023
Internationally, Beattie made over 100 appearances for Scotland. She helped the team qualify for their first World Cup in 2019.
“When I first joined the national team, we had not reached that level yet. Then we qualified for the 2017 European Championship and the 2019 World Cup, so to be involved in two tournaments in a row was one of the most special days to be a part of that squad.
“Apart from qualifying from those tournaments, they are some of the best people in terms of how much fun I had and meeting the Scottish people every six weeks. I absolutely loved it, especially when I moved away when I was 18.”
“Qualifying for two major tournaments and seeing what that has done for the country in terms of more girls playing and really impacting the development of the Scottish game at home is something we’ve always tried to push, especially with the federation. We’re trying to grow the game, the numbers and the investment.”
What’s next for Jane Petty?
“I love media and radio broadcasting. I started doing it a few years ago and I retired from Scotland a couple of years ago. It’s given me those international windows to try it out and see if I like it or not.”
“It keeps you close to the football, still gets you talking about it and being in it. When you’re about to go live and that adrenaline is there, it’s the closest thing I’ll ever get to 90 minutes.
“I definitely know this is what I want to do. I also watched my dad do it for many years in Scotland and I would be that corny kid who would try to follow in his footsteps. Training is not on the radar at the moment.”
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