Latest news with #KayleighBarton
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Wise woman' Barton has ambitions to coach with Wales
Kayleigh Barton smiles as she watches the next generation of Welsh players from the sidelines at Newport's Dragon Park, no doubt taking pride in how she and others have helped pave the way for the stars of recently retired striker is one of the guests of honour at a training day for young players organised by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and football's world governing body, brainchild of legendary ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the Fifa Talent Development Scheme (TDS) provides young players with a Fifa trained coach, in this case former German international Ariane Hingst, to work side-by-side with local coaches and are certainly high hopes of discovering the next Kayleigh Barton at this Newport session - the first of its kind for young girls in it is a time to look back as well as forward. Just 48 hours earlier, Barton, 37, had announced her retirement from playing - not much time to reflect on a career that began at hometown club Cardiff City and led as far afield as Chieti Calcio Femminile in Italy as well as Yeovil, Brighton and Charlton in it is the 89 caps and 22 goals for Wales for which she will be most fondly remembered. Just don't call her a 'former' international for a while yet."Not a former, I haven't got that far yet," laughed Barton. "It's not long gone out, so we'll say that in another 10 years."She admits calling time on her career was a tough decision to make."It was so difficult because at times you think that your legs still have it, but in my mind I just thought I could probably affect the game in other ways," she added."I was going back and forth but the Euros was probably the right time to hang my boots up." The seven 'wise women' Barton was a key figure in Wales' historic qualification for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. An achievement reached after a memorable play-off win in the Republic of Ireland but really an achievement made in the years before, under coaches Jarmo Matikainen, Jayne Ludlow and Gemma Grainger before current boss Rhian played a key role during all four regimes - earning her first cap in 2012 - before deciding to hang up her boots this year."It was before the Ireland game and I was like, do I or don't I? And then obviously we qualified for the Euros and then I was like, 'this would be the perfect time'," added Barton."I'd given so much for my country and we worked so hard. I wasn't going out before going to a major tournament."I told my Mum and Dad and my Dad said 'no'. But my Dad understands I wouldn't have made this decision lightly and he supports me just like my wife and my Mum. It's still a difficult one and I'm still trying to process it at the moment."Barton cites many former coaches and colleagues as mentors but says the bond shared with her Wales team-mates has been the most much so that she feels part of an exclusive club when it comes to Welsh women's football."They're going to hate me for saying this, but we're like the seven wise women. That is our table name," added Barton."There's Laura [O'Sullivan-Jones], there's me, there's Gemma Evans, there's Rachel Rowe, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle and Jess [Fishlock]. We're like the wise women and when you walk in a room, you'll just always see us together."I'd probably say when we went to the Euros, I didn't realise how much I leant on them a lot. They were really like my support network being away from home for a long period. I think everybody else felt it and I'd probably say we supported each other through."I've played with Jess for a very long time and if I was to end my career looking back at two other players, for me it would be Angharad James and Sophie Ingle. I look at them and what they give and who they are as people." Future in coaching Observing future players being put through their paces at Dragon Park, it is not lost on Barton just how much things have changed since she was at school. It drives her desire to give back to the recently taken up a coaching role at Saltdean, she has already been touted as a Wales coach of the future by Rhian Wilkinson."This is what it's about, it's creating opportunities for the next generation, for the next major tournament and hopefully we're going to find some young girls and we've inspired young girls to be in the next major tournament," said Barton."I didn't have opportunities like this when I was their age. I started off in a boys team and then I went to a regional squad and then I was a little bit older when I joined the women's team. It's so good to have a lot more girls teams that they can go and play in."I do want to become a coach and one day I would love to be on the coaching side within Wales. I've always been a leader within the group and I'm not shy of giving my voice."Asked what it has meant to represent Wales, Barton pauses:"It's hard to sum up all the emotions but the passion that I have and the pride playing for my country, you can see I've always given 100%."I've always been committed to playing for my country and wearing that badge. I wouldn't want to wear any other badge".
ITV News
12-08-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Wales striker Kayleigh Barton to retire from football
Cymru's Kayleigh Barton has announced her retirement from football at the age of 37. The Charlton Athletic striker, who has scored 22 goals for Wales, was part of the squad at this year's UEFA's Women's Euros in Switzerland. With 89 caps, Barton is now to take on the role of Cymru's Women's under 17s Assistant Coach for FAW. In a statement, Barton said: "Ever since a young age, I've always loved football. From playing in the garden with my younger brothers, having the first letter for my Cymru age group call up, to representing the senior team at our first ever major finals. "I've had a phenomenal football career both representing my country and at club level, and it's something that I'm so proud of." Barton, from Cardiff, began her career at the city's club in 2012 before moving onto Yeovil Town in 2016, where she spent time on loan to Chieti Calcio Femminile. She then moved on to play for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2018, before joining Charlton Athletic in 2023. Barton added: "To my friends and family... I can't thank you enough for always supporting me throughout my football career. To the two people who have been there from the very beginning: you've travelled the country to watch me play, and even now, you continue to support every decision I make. Thank you – from the bottom of my heart. "What a journey it's been. I've experienced incredible highs and tough lows, but those moments are what made this path so special. Barton also thanked Welsh fans: "Throughout my career the Red Wall have always supported us, and you have all been phenomenal. When you travel away with us, we can hear the noise. "Please make sure you continue to support the team through thick and thin, and I will be in the stands with you doing the same." She concluded: "In football, you fight and go through it for so many years. There are so many highs, so many lows, but to finally achieve something that you've always want to do as a young girl and represent your country on the world stage. It means everything. "I'll definitely miss you all, but I think now is the time to say goodbye. Diolch am bopeth."
BBC News
12-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales striker Barton ends playing career
Wales striker Kayleigh Barton has announced her retirement from playing 37-year-old was named as head coach of Brighton-based Saltdean United Women earlier this summer after leaving Charlton the 89-cap international has confirmed she has brought an end to her playing career."To everybody that has been on this incredible journey through football with me, I think it's time to tell you that I've made the decision to hang up my boots," said Barton."Ever since a young age, I've always loved football. From playing in the garden with my younger brothers, having the first letter for my Cymru age group call up, to representing the senior team at our first ever major finals. "I've had a phenomenal football career both representing my country and at club level, and it's something that I'm so proud of." Barton - who represented Cardiff City, Yeovil Town, Chieti Calcio Femminile, Brighton and Charlton during her club career - was a pivotal figure in helping earn Rhian Wilkinson's side qualification for Euro forward netted four times in qualifying and went on to feature in each of the three group stage matches in Switzerland against Netherlands, France and scored her 22nd and final international goal from the penalty spot to earn Wales a point against Sweden in the Nations League in added: "To my friends and family… I can't thank you enough for always supporting me throughout my football career. To the two people who have been there from the very beginning: you've travelled the country to watch me play, and even now, you continue to support every decision I make. Thank you – from the bottom of my heart."International football… What a journey it's been. I've experienced incredible highs and tough lows, but those moments are what made this path so special. From receiving my first call-up, to seeing our names on the back of shirts, to being part of history with our national team – every moment will stay with me. "To our amazing fans – the Red Wall – thank you for your unwavering support. You've stood by us through it all, and I'm grateful I had the chance to see you cheer us on at a major tournament. That will stay with me also thanked "every player I've shared the pitch with" adding she was grateful to her coaches "for challenging me, for pushing me beyond my comfort zone, and for shaping me into the player and coach I am today."She concluded: "In football, you fight and go through it for so many years. There are so many highs, so many lows, but to finally achieve something that you've always wanted to do as a young girl and represent your country on the world stage. It means everything."I'll definitely miss you all, but I think now is the time to say goodbye. Diolch am bopeth (thank you for everything)."Barton holds a Uefa A coaching licence and will work closely with Saltdean's first team managers Katie McIntyre and Amy formed a women's team in 2017 and currently play in the London and South East Women's Regional Football League. From supermarkets to the international stage - Analysis Kayleigh Barton retires having seen her footballing ambitions realised in playing for Wales at a major tournament at Euro 2025 in a younger player, Barton may never have even dreamed that would be possible as one of the key Wales players who progressed from amateur to professional status as the women's game grew and grew during her worked in supermarkets and was training as a plumber before switching to football full-time and she's been a mainstay as the Wales women's team have enjoyed a period of unparalleled played for Wales 89 times over 13 years and whether playing as an all-action midfielder or striker, no player ever beat Barton for effort, endeavour or passion for playing for and personally, she will be a big miss for Rhian Wilkinson's squad, with the Wales boss tipping Barton to be a future Wales manager or coach.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales' Barton takes on Saltdean head coach role
Wales international Kayleigh Barton has taken her first step into 37-year-old forward left her playing career at Charlton Athletic earlier this month and will now take on a head coach role at Saltdean United who was in Wales' recent Nations League squad, will be hoping to feature in this summer's Euros - Wales women's first major tournament. Rhian Wilkinson will announce her squad on Thursday, 19 June from the summit of Yr Wyddfa."I'm really excited to begin my role," Barton said. "I believe we have a talented group of players and together we can achieve something special this season."I am looking forward to kicking off the season."The 86-capped international holds a UEFA A coaching licence and will work closely with Saltdean's first team managers Katie McIntyre and Amy formed a women's team in 2017 and currently play in the London and South East Women's Regional Football League.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Charlton Athletic ace Barton named Saltdean United head coach
Former Charlton Athletic forward Kayleigh Barton has been named as the new head coach of London and South East Women's Regional Football League club Saltdean United. The Tigers announced news of their appointment via a post on their official club X account this evening. Advertisement Barton takes her first step into coaching after recently announcing her departure from Barclays WSL2 club Charlton Athletic. The 37-year-old Welsh international spent two seasons with The Addicks after joining the club from Brighton & Hove Albion in summer 2023. Barton holds a UEFA A coaching licence and she looks to be the perfect appointment for a Saltdean United side that are hoping to go far in the coming years. After her appointment was announced, Barton said 'I'm really excited to begin my role with Saltdean Women FC as the Head Coach. I believe we have a talented group of players and together we can achieve something special this season. I am looking forward to kicking off the season.' Barton is one of five first team players to leave Charlton Athletic during the close season. Francesca Stables, Katie Godden, Sophie O'Rourke and Melisa Filis are also moving on at the end of their current contracts at The Valley.
