Sophie Ingle says it is an honour to have matched the Women's Super League all-time appearance record, and our midfielder hopes to make history when Chelsea face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Wales international started our 3-0 victory at Everton on the substitutes' bench but was introduced in the 64th minute for Jelena Cankovic.
It was a change that resulted in Ingle – who began her second spell at Chelsea in 2018 – making her 183rd outing in the Women's Super League, a landmark only previously achieved by former Birmingham City and Tottenham defender Kerys Harrop.
‘It’s a nice record to get to,' Ingle explained. 'I’ve been in this league for many years now – and suppose it shows my age as well! It’s an honour for me to reach this, especially at a club like Chelsea.'
Ingle has featured in five or our six Women's Super League matches this season and will be in contention to start this weekend as Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge.
And if the 32-year-old is selected by head coach Emma Hayes, she will hold the all-time WSL appearance record outright.
'I’ll have to speak to Emma and see if she can get me on the pitch,' joked Ingle. 'It would be nice to do it at home.
'As I’ve said, I’ve been in the league for many years, and it is getting harder and harder every year. But it’s a nice achievement for myself.’