Aston Villa midfielder Jordan Nobbs considered it “special” to break the Women’s Super League appearance record as she reflected on her “up and down” 15-year career.
The 31-year-old played her 193rd match in Villa’s 4-2 defeat by Brighton on Saturday, having made her WSL debut for Arsenal against Chelsea in April 2011.
Nobbs will be celebrated at Villa’s home game against Leicester City this weekend but she has already “felt the love” from her current club.
“Everyone was talking about it and they said it’s such a huge achievement. It’s always nice as a player for the club to recognise that,” said Nobbs.
“It’s special. When you play football, your goal is to win things as a team, but when something comes along individually they are also nice memories to have.
“You have to give yourself a pat on the back. I did see how hard I worked to get there. I took the moment because I want to enjoy those in football and not just let them pass me by.”
‘I’ve learned to just keep fighting’
Nobbs joined Villa in 2023 after 12 years with Arsenal and she has scored 58 goals across her 193 WSL appearances.
She won 12 trophies at Arsenal, including three WSL titles, but had to overcome a number of serious injuries, which heavily affected her international career.
“Those times, when you look back now, appear to have just flown by, but when you’re actually in the moment it was one thing after each other,” said Nobbs.
A major setback for Nobbs came in November 2018.
“After I did my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), I couldn’t really catch a break and it was just the love of playing and believing that if I worked hard, eventually I could get back on the pitch,” she said.
“I just had to keep thinking there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Football is good and bad. You have amazing days and then you have bad days too.
“I think it’s just about trying to enjoy it as much as you can. I’ve always played football because I love it. I’ve probably learned to just keep fighting.”
Villa boss Robert de Pauw described Nobbs as a “little Luka Modric in midfield”, something she joked she would write down and keep forever.
She has long been considered one of England’s brightest talents, catching the eye at WSL level after signing for Arsenal from Sunderland in 2010.
Nobbs was named the England Player of the Year in 2016 and the FA Players’ Player of the Year in 2017 – but a lot has changed throughout her WSL career.
“It’s probably just the level of support. Backroom staff, for example, that maybe you don’t see or hear as much about,” Nobbs said.
“When we first started, we were still doing a lot on our own as players. Now, especially for the younger ones coming up, there’s just so much they can learn and soak up on how to be the best footballer.”
‘I don’t want to write myself off’
Nobbs is likely to extend her appearances record this season with Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle, who has played 192 WSL games, currently out with an ACL injury.
The midfielder is impressing with Aston Villa under new boss De Pauw and though it has crossed her mind, she has no plans to retire any time soon.
“It’s a tough one, isn’t it? It’s obviously a question that’s in your mind. You have to start thinking about things like that,” said Nobbs.
“I think it will probably depend on game time and my body. That will probably be where my decision goes.
“If I’m still in the WSL playing and performing to a good enough level, then I would not hang the boots up that quickly. I don’t want to write myself off too quickly or too early.”
But while Nobbs intends to continue playing, she has already found an interest in coaching.
She hopes to pass on her experiences to younger players in the game and says she has naturally taken on more responsibility throughout her career.
“Coaching is definitely something I would want to look into and definitely be a part of. I would maybe take a little break, then go into it,” she added.
“The whole coaching side of things – the way teams press, how they play out from the back etc – I’m all for that.”