Southampton: Spacey joins Saints in high-profile appointment

England Women’s football legend Marieanne Spacey has joined Southampton to become the club’s new Head of Girls and Women’s Football Technical Department.

Southampton announced the appointment this morning and hints at the future commitment to Girls and Women’s football that the club will be making in years to come.

Saints were denied entry into the FA Women’s Championship – the second-tier of English football – back in May and will hope that the addition of Spacey to the team will enable them to gain a place soon.

The 52-year-old is regarded as one of England’s greatest ever players having claimed 91 caps for her country between 1984 and 2001, and moves into her new role at Staplewood from the FA’s Women’s player and coach developer.

She was also recognised for her outstanding services to football in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours list with the award of an MBE.

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Given Saints’ reputation for producing young players in the men’s game from their famed academy, their ability to do the same with their Girls and Women’s set-up should be strong.

The regional programme that they already run has seen a number of youth players representing National teams from their age groups and gaining regular recognition.

Spacey brings with her a wealth of experience in both player development and coaching having been assistant to previous England manager Mark Sampson and being in charge of the National U23s side at the same time.

Speaking on her move to Saints to southamptonfc.com, she said:

"From the moment I walked into the club, the excitement has continued to rise.Listening to the people, the plans for the future and the potential impact that this club can have on women’s and girls’ football, not just in this region, but in England and beyond, is fantastic.From the moment I walked into the club, the excitement has continued to rise.Listening to the people, the plans for the future and the potential impact that this club can have on women’s and girls’ football, not just in this region, but in England and beyond, is fantastic."

Saints are currently the only club with a top-flight men’s team to not have a women’s team to their name at the moment and will surely be working towards an eventual set-up under Spacey’s guidance.

This appointment comes as part of a number of significant moves for stalwarts of the women’s game this summer. England legend Casey Stoney was announced as the manager of Manchester United’s new FA Women’s Championship team recently.