Leeds United Women’s star Sarah Danby has announced that Sunday’s fixture away against York City Ladies is to be her last for the Whites, after which she will retire from club football.

Since returning for a second spell with the club, the midfielder has made over 100 further appearances for United, becoming a true servant who has led by example both on and off the pitch.

Speaking with LUTV to reflect on her time in the game, Danby was brimming with pride at what she has achieved during her career.

“Football is what I have done and loved for 20 years, so to know it is happening is difficult to process, but at the minute it doesn’t actually feel that real,” she explained.

“I have loved my time playing and I am excited to see what life is like after football. I have known from the start that this would be the last season. It is now starting to feel a bit more real now as we come to the last game.

“You know it is your last game, but it probably isn’t going to feel like it until I think the final whistle sounds.

“I am surrounded by my teammates and the coaches and everyone so I am really excited for it. It is one last opportunity for me to put the shirt on and play for Leeds United and play my football, so I am just really excited for it.

“Leeds is kind of my hometown now and it has been for a long time. I started out with my hometown at Sunderland and I am finishing at my hometown of Leeds, so I find that quite a special thing for me.”

When asked about her favourite memories particularly during her spell with the Whites, lifting the FA Women’s National League Plate immediately sprung to mind for the 34-year-old, but nothing can eclipse the camaraderie of playing with those she is closest to.

“When we won the Plate, that was a really good experience, getting that silverware and the journey to get there. It was the same season that we did really well in the FA Cup, so we just seemed to thrive in the Cups that season.

“The key thing for me has been the friendships that I have formed through football and obviously I have got some best friends here, some lifelong friends that I have been able to play football with and enjoy my football with.”

The Women’s game has progressed leaps and bounds since Danby first laced her boots and, backed by a fanbase she describes as special, Sarah sees no reason why the club can’t aim to reach the top of the pyramid.

“I think in terms of Women’s football, now obviously people can become full-time professionals,” she adds.

“I think Leeds have the foundations there and I hope in the future, when I transition from a player to a fan, that I do see Leeds push on up to the next levels. The potential is certainly there.

“Of all of the teams I have played for across my career, this has been the best in terms of fans. I personally want to say thank you to all the fans that come out because genuinely we are so grateful. They really do give us a lift.

“When we played at Elland Road and we had over 4,000, it was incredible to see all those people coming out to watch us. I hope that continues and I hope that continues to grow. The fans at Leeds have been absolutely phenomenal all season and ever since I have been here.”

Rounding off the interview, Danby took the time to thank everyone that has been involved in a journey that started on Wearside and draws to a close in West Yorkshire, before summing up her career.

“It is the people who make you feel valued. It is the people that you share all these memories with. Football for me is about moments. Moments win games, moments lose games and it is about the people who are around you through them because in the hard times you need those people, and in the good times you definitely need those people to go and celebrate with.

“I would use the word lucky. Lucky in the sense that I have had these opportunities. Football has presented me with so many opportunities, people, places, memories. That is the core thing as well, the amount of memories I have got from football that I can always look back on.”

Congratulations Sarah!