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Rachel Yankey OBE and Kelly Smith MBE were inducted in the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Manchester on 21 September.

The two Lionesses were immortalised next to legends such as Sir Tom Finney, Gordon Banks, Alan Shearer and last year’s inductees Rio Ferdinand and David Seaman.

Rachel overtook Peter Shilton’s England caps record in 2013 and has made 129 appearances for the Lionesses in all. A multiple trophy-winner with Arsenal, like Kelly, winger Rachel has also played in the US and is one of the most successful English players of the last 20 years.

England’s record goal-scorer Kelly, who retired as a player earlier this year after over 20 years at the top of the game, became the first English female professional footballer when she joined US side New Jersey in 1999. She is revered worldwide and widely regarded as England’s first female football superstar.

This year’s inductees also included two club legends who have captained their sides to Champions League glory -Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard - along with West Ham player and manager Billy Bonds, Arsenal goalkeeping great Bob Wilson, and the late Gary Speed.

The inductees were decided by a host of the game’s greats and Hall of Fame members including; Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks, Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Schmeichel, Roger Hunt, Kevin Keegan, Bryan Robson, Francis Lee, Trevor Francis, Ossie Ardiles, George Cohen, Norman Hunter, Sue Lopez and Marianne Spacey, making the achievement even more special.

The Football For All inductee, like Rachel and Kelly nominated by The FA, was Paralympian and England CP footballer Alistair Patrick-Heselton.

Manchester United’s Charlie Roberts was selected by the Historian Panel for a place in the Hall as a Historic Player. Making 271 appearances for the club, Roberts captained United to two league titles and the 1909 FA Cup.

National Football Museum Interim Director Kevin Haygarth said: “These nine players have amazed us with their commitment to the great game.

“The decision-making panel was made up of some of the greatest players and managers to grace the game, including some of the 1966 World Cup winning team, which makes the accolade even more prestigious.

“The Hall of Fame awards dinner allowed inductees, and the families of posthumous inductees, to come together and collectively reflect on their successes at one of the most prestigious fixtures in the sporting awards calendar.”

Gordon Taylor OBE, Chief Executive of the PFA said “We have been pleased to support the National Football Museum since its inception, and subsequently the Hall of Fame giving fitting recognition to those who have contributed their own special chapters to football’s history book. This year’s nominees fully merit their inclusion.”

To qualify for nomination, players must have finished their career or be aged over 30, and have played or managed in England for at least five years.

Find out more about the National Football Museum Hall Of Fame, including previous inductees, at www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/explore-the-museum/hall-of-fame

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