Genero Adran Leagues legends Steph Turner and Stacey John have confirmed that they will retire at the end of the season.
The duo, both currently playing for Swansea City, will each receive a guard of honour at their side’s final home game of the season against The New Saints at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday.
Turner, 35, is one of the most decorated players in the women’s domestic game in Wales. The defender was part of the Swansea City team that lifted the very first top-flight title in the inaugural 2009-10 season, before moving to Cardiff Met in 2011 where she helped establish the Archers as the most dominant force in the country.
Turner’s 12 years at Cyncoed yielded six Genero Adran Premier titles, three Bute Energy Welsh Cup crowns and five Genero Adran Trophy triumphs. She returned to Swansea City in 2023, adding another 50 plus appearances for the club she is a lifelong supporter of.
“I think, for me, it’s definitely the right time,” Turner said. “I did consider retirement last season, but I realised I wanted to give it one more year with Swansea. Now, though, it feels like the right moment to finish.
“The development in the women’s game since I started playing has been massive. The progress it has made has been unbelievable, and I think it’s only going to keep improving.
“This season has gone really quickly. Having thought about this last year, for it to come around so fast has been quite surreal, but I’m really looking forward to having my family there for the game against TNS at the stadium on Sunday.”
John previously played in the top-flight for Newcastle Emlyn, before moving to Swansea in 2012 and embarking on what would be a distinguished 14-year spell in SA1.
The forward, who turns 34 next month, currently sits on 247 appearances for the club in all competitions and has 161 goals to her name. She has lifted the league title on four occasions, alongside winning two Bute Energy Welsh Cups and the Genero Adran Trophy. One of the most prolific scorers in Genero Adran Premier history, John won back-to-back golden boots in the 2021-22 and 2022-23Â campaigns.
“Fourteen years at Swansea City has been nothing short of an incredible journey,” John said. From every ball kicked and every game played, to all the highs, the wins, the trophies and the unforgettable experiences — but also the lows, the tough times and the resilience we have had to show along the way.
“Now, though, it is time to close the curtain on the sport that has given me so much, and more importantly, to step away from a club that I have had nothing but pride in representing.
“It has been a very difficult decision to make. There have been plenty of calls for one more year, but I know now is the right time to bring this chapter to a close.”
Turner and John could still yet finish their distinguished playing careers with another piece of silverware, as Swansea City meet old rivals Cardiff City in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final at Rodney Parade on Sunday 19 April.
