Much more can be done for women’s football, says Carney, as she is made an OBE

Former England international Karen Carney said “so much more” can be done for women’s football, as she was made an OBE at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Carney, who played for Birmingham City as well as the Lionesses, was honoured for her services to association football.

She was previously commissioned by the Government to conduct a major review on the future of the domestic women’s game.

The review recommended wide-ranging reform at the elite and grassroots level of domestic football, to fully capitalise on the Lionesses’ Euros success.

Speaking after being honoured by the Prince of Wales, she said “the sky is the limit” for women’s football.

“Part of me receiving my OBE was because of the review I conducted into women’s football, and I think we’ve still got a lot more to do from grassroots talent pathway all the way to the elite level,” she said.

“But if you look at the stats, if you look at the data, the game is absolutely thriving.

“Imagine what it could be if we gave it more, and that’s why I, and so many of us, have to champion it on a day-to-day basis, to keep demanding more for the sport.

“Then the sky’s the limit.”

Carney said she had “some banter” with William, whose team, Aston Villa, plays hers later on Wednesday.

“To be brutally honest, a lot of people know I’m a Birmingham City fan, there’s a big game at Aston Villa tonight,” she said.

“Obviously with Prince William being a Villa fan I thought there was a good opportunity for some banter with him.

“He was really gracious, he’s going to the game, which is cool.

“So we just chatted about football really which is I think the common language for everybody, I think everyone can talk about football which is really good.

“I’ve met him previously with the Lionesses, he’s a football fan for both the men’s and women’s game, which is really cool.”

She said days like Wednesday “were more actually about your family”.

“For me, days like today, are actually to give back to my loved ones,” she said.

“To say thank you for supporting me on my journey, both playing football and after football and to enjoy and make them feel special for the day.”

She said she is “always championing” women’s football.

“I’ve still got big aspirations for our sport,” she said.

“It’s incredible, we’ve seen the lionesses win the European Championships, we’ve seen them reach the women’s World Cup final, in a short space of time.

“The dominance of the team has been fantastic.”