Hayes has established Chelsea as the dominant force in the Women's Super League during her 12-year tenure. Six titles have been claimed, with four of those coming in the previous four seasons.

The FA Cup has also been won on five occasions during her tenure while the Women's League Cup has been lifted twice. The Blues also made the final of the 2021 UEFA Women's Champions League.

Hayes's influence on the women's game has extended beyond Chelsea, however. She has been a key figure in driving change and setting standards, which is something she hopes will help the next generation of women's players flourish.

'All I really wanted as a child was to have role models,' she said. 'To think [children today] have them is my favourite achievement.

'When I was growing up and aspiring to play an FA Cup final at Wembley, I was being Glenn Hoddle. Now scores of young girls and boys are thinking about how amazing Millie Bright is or Sam Kerr is.

'I think those are the moments I pinch myself about more than I do the achievements.'

Hayes outlined the importance of the support she has received from her family in her acceptance speech, and credited her late father, Sid, for pushing her to make changes in the women's game.

“He was adamant I was going to be the one that was going to drive the narrative and he encouraged me to be brave and put my neck on the line,' she said. 'He’d say to me: "You make sure when you’re doing the press today girl, you make the point about this and that. You make sure you do it".

'And I’d say: "Dad, I’m going to get slaughtered for it". And he’d say: "It doesn’t matter. Don’t look at it. Walk forward and the sport will be in a better place for the work you do.”'