Tottenham midfielder Drew Spence has become the record appearance holder in the Women's Super League. Spence started the match against Birmingham City on Sunday, securing her 217th appearance in the WSL and surpassing former Chelsea captain Millie Bright.
Spence told BBC Sport that it was a 'very proud moment' and that she was also proud for her family. She emphasised that such an achievement is the result of hard work invested over the years. She added that as a younger player, she did not think about such accolades, as everything was about winning trophies, and that she knows how difficult it is to maintain motivation for so many seasons.
The 34-year-old Spence has played her entire career in London. She spent 14 years at Chelsea, where she won five league titles and four FA Cup trophies, before moving to Tottenham in 2022. She progressed through the academies of Arsenal and Fulham, and in 2021 changed her international allegiance from England to Jamaica.
In the summer, she was named Tottenham captain and became a key figure under manager Martin Ho. In her first season at the club, she played 22 matches, more than in any season at Chelsea, and has played every minute of the current season. She could become the only outfield player at Tottenham to have played 90 minutes in all their WSL matches this season.
Spence stated that she is probably in the best form of her life, recovers faster and understands her body better, with nutrition helping in this regard. She admits to having regrets from her earlier career and that an earlier understanding of body preparation could have given her more consistency while at Chelsea. She believes that lesson has helped her flourish at Tottenham.
Manager Ho stated that Spence has earned 'enormous respect' in the club and has made huge strides in adaptation and change — physically, technically and tactically. He highlighted that she has given herself longevity and deserves much praise, adding that he has enormous respect for her as a professional and as a person. Ho also said that the 'unfavourable situation' Spence overcame has shaped the player she is today, that she can play as long as she wants, and that she is sharp, fit, very intelligent and a key part of what the club is trying to achieve.
Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert stated that Spence was a brilliant teammate, a sweetheart off the pitch, and a true warrior on it. She recalled that Spence looked after her from the very beginning and welcomed her to the club with a two-footed start. Cuthbert believes Spence deserves all the praise and is now a leader at Spurs.
Spence was part of the Jamaican team in 2023 that wrote an open letter calling for 'immediate and systemic change' within the Jamaica Football Federation, and has also campaigned for better conditions in women's football. She believes she still has things to do, has no plans for early retirement, and emphasises that there are parts of her game she still needs to improve. She wants to give her all until she can no longer do so, and playing football has always been her biggest dream.
