Rachel Yankey is interviewed by 5 Live’s Ian Dennis after the game. Photo: Catherine Etoe

Published: 4 July, 2013
by CATHERINE ETOE

FORMER Hampstead School pupil and Arsenal winger Rachel Yankey has become the most-capped England player after captaining her country in a 1-1 draw against world champions Japan.

Yankey, who set up Eni Aluko for England’s goal, collected her 126th cap in the friendly at Burton FC, overtaking the record set in 1990 by goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

FA chairman David Bernstein said it was fitting that she was made captain against Japan.

“Rachel has been a tremendous ambassador for her country on and off the pitch, and is rightly respected throughout the game at home and abroad,” he said.

Yankey, 33, took her first bow for England in 1997 as a 17-year-old Arsenal player and said she felt “privileged” to wear the armband against the world champions.

“At the end of the day I just want to play for England so as long as the manager wants me and the team is doing well then I’ll keep doing my best,” she added.