23 December 2023 , 07:15
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For the second consecutive year, 2023 was a sporting year dominated by the England Lionesses.
And although their World Cup dream ended in heart-breaking defeat in the final, the European champions captivated the nation again. Sarina Wiegman’s side have all become household names thanks to their exploits on the pitch, with interest in the women’s game and its stars bigger than ever.
Alex Greenwood is certainly in that category as a regular for England and the captain of Manchester City as they chase the WSL title. And the 30-year-old’s biggest supporter is also known by those that follow the men’s game, albeit his own professional journey ended earlier this year.
Greenwood has been with her partner - and former Sheffield United defender - Jack O’Connell since meeting at their sixth-form college Savio Salesian in Bootle. Since then, they have both seen their footballing careers take off. And while Greenwood's career ascended, O'Connell's did as well.
O’Connell was a product of the Blackburn Rovers academy. He made just one senior appearance for the Lancashire outfit and left for Brentford after a series of loans. The former defender joined Sheffield United in 2016 and played a key role in their rise from League One into the Premier League, before making 35 outings in the top flight. Continual injuries ruined his final two seasons at Bramall Lane before he announced his retirement earlier this summer.
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A statement on his Instagram read: "This is a very difficult announcement for me to make, although Sheffield United fans will already know that for the past three seasons, I have been fighting to save my professional football career. Today, I am announcing my retirement from football. I have put my heart and soul into this recovery since my knee problems began in June 2020, but this is a battle I cannot win.”
Jack O'Connell was forced to retire earlier this year (Getty Images)
Alex Greenwood and Jack O'Connell have known each other since sixth form (jackoconnell22/Instagram)He made sure to send a special note to his partner Greenwood in the midst of his heartfelt announcement. O’Connell added: “Walking away from football will leave a void in my life - but I have made my peace with it. And I am grateful for the matches I played, the moments I lived out on the pitch, and to my team-mates - many of whom will be friends for life. It was all a dream come true.
"For now, some thanks. First, to partner Alex, who has given me support through my lowest moments. She is a supremely talented footballer and it has been a great consolation to be able to watch her career go from strength to strength. I am her biggest fan.”
O'Connell was able to take his mind off his own career by travelling Down Under to watch Greenwood almost conquer the world in Australia.
Speaking to Sky Sports about Greenwood, the ex- Sheffield United star said: “[I’m] really proud of her. I’ve been there from the very start. I used to go and watch Alex when she was 16. It’s unbelievable how far it’s grown now. I’m her biggest critic as well. The standard that she sets herself, she has more to come. I get goosebumps when I think about it but I think she’s one of the best centre-halves in the world and she still has gears to go through.”