Steph Houghton becomes first female to be on the Cover of Shoot Magazine

by Stuart Dick

For the first time in its 45 year history, Shoot has chosen to have a female footballer to be on the cover of its publication.

England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has been chosen to front an edition of Shoot , a huge step for Women’s football in general. With the success of the Women’s Super League over the last few years, and the ladies performance at the London 2012 Olympics, Women’s Football is rising in popularity with every single kick.

The England International has played her country 41 times, scoring six goals and has played for some of the biggest teams in Women’s football in Sunderland, Leeds United, Arsenal and now Manchester City.

Shoot began publication in 1969, and over the years has been one of the most popular football magazines in the UK, especially in the 1970’s and 80’s when the likes of Kevin Keegan, Bryan Robson and Charlie Nicholas penned columns in the ‘star writer’ section of the magazine.

Over the years, Shoot has come in many different forms, firstly starting out as a Weekly magazine before reverting to a monthly mag in 2001. It then became the first online only football magazine in 2009. The iconic annual, handbook and activity annuals are still available to buy in print.