Tracy & Grant part ways with Arsenal

Long serving soccer veterans, Yvonne Tracy and Ciara Grant, have parted ways with Arsenal Ladies after a long and decorative career.

This news comes after both women reached the ends of their contracts. However, both Tracy and Grant look set to continue their football careers elsewhere - not content on hanging up their boots just yet.

Grant, a former Irish international, began her career with her local Waterford club, Benfica, before joining Arsenal Ladies in 1998 at the tender age of twenty. Grant helped the Gunners win an impressive 11 League titles, nine FA Cups, nine League Cups and a UEFA Women’s Cup.

Grant was also the first player to reach 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland - stacking up a whopping 105 appearances before announcing her retirement from international football early last year.

Tracy began playing soccer with Lifford FC in County Clare, before joining Arsenal in 2000 aged 19. One of seven Irish players in the squad, she helped her side bring home the domestic treble in her first season.

Tracy represented Ireland at U16 and captained the U18 team, where her impressive performances earned her a starting position on the senior team against Croatia.

To date, the defender has won over 75 caps for Ireland and received the Irish International Player of the Year Award in 2002.

While Ciara is set to join Reading FC, it’s unknown what Tracy intends to do next in terms of her soccer career.

Susan Byrne, a defender for Peamount United, jokingly welcomed Tracy to the club in a tweet which was retweeted by Peamount’s official account.  Although Tracy’s reply was less enthusiastic, it isn’t entirely impossible.

Fellow Irish international Meabh de Burca recently joined Galway WFC late last year after winning the Swedish League with her club Eskilstuna United, so Tracy may well follow in her footsteps.

Vic Akers, Arsenal Ladies general Manager, commended the duo’s achievements and commitment to the club over the years on the Arsenal website: “They’ve been central to the success the Ladies have had over the last 15 years. As well as being excellent players, they’ve been great to work with.”

Arsenal Ladies are England’s most successful women’s football club with 40 trophies under their belt. Founded in 1987, they have been the destination for many of Ireland’s leading women players - including Ireland’s goalkeeper, Emma Byrne and Niamh Fahey.