West Ham supporter and former Women’s team midfielder Kate Longhurst announced her retirement from professional football last week at the age of 36.

After winning two WSL titles with Liverpool, the midfielder joined West Ham Women in 2018 as the Club transitioned into professional football. Longhurst went on to make 130 appearances in Claret and Blue across five seasons, including playing at Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup final during the Hammers inaugural campaign.

Longhurst left West Ham in May 2023. After departing her childhood club, she spent a season at Charlton Athletic before joining Nottingham Forest, where she has spent the 2024/25 season. The former Hammer had just won promotion to the Women’s Championship with Forest before deciding to call time on her 14 year career as a professional footballer.

Having supported and followed West Ham all of her life, Longhurst’s bond with the Club is something that ran incredibly deep. When she became a West Ham player, wearing the Claret and Blue shirt was about pride, the Club’s identity and passing that on to other players.

“I think until I joined and signed, I didn’t realise how important it would be to me. I had five fantastic years at the Club, and to wear the kit, wear the badge, represent the Club everyday (was amazing). It always meant a lot to me, trying to teach other players coming in what it’s like to be a West Ham fan and a West Ham player.” said Longhurst to the club’s Official Website.

One of Longhurst’s proudest moments of her career came during her time at West Ham, an FA Cup run that saw the Club make it all the way to Wembley in it’s first professional season. “I always wanted to play at Wembley, so to do that with West Ham, walking out and hearing Bubbles, and seeing so many fans, it’s certainly something I won’t forget. I just remember seeing Claret and Blue everywhere.” said the former Hammers midfielder.

Longhurst added: “It was really special, and I don’t think there’s too many moments that top that.”

Another unforgettable moment in her time at West Ham came in January 2022. Longhurst scored a late equaliser against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers fan’s goal and her passionate celebration where she ran to the camera exclaiming ‘Have some of that !’ is a moment that is fondly remembered by West Ham fans far and wide.

“I think if anyone remembers me from West Ham, that’s what they remember, which is crazy because it’s just one moment, and it was an equaliser. But we did go down to ten players, and I hate Spurs, so it was nice.” A goal against Spurs is certainly another moment from her playing career which as a West Ham supporter will stay with her for the rest of her life.

As the current season drew to a close, Longhurst made the difficult decision to bring the curtain down on her playing career. “By the end of this season, when I spoke to Nottingham Forest, and they needed younger, fresher players for next season, I thought I’d take the decision to retire.”

With her playing days over, Longhurst is unsure of what the future holds but remains open to what opportunities may come her way next. “I’ll probably stay within football in some capacity, but I don’t know what that looks like right now. I’m quite open to a lot of  things, maybe a few little media bits, but I’m also realistic in terms of what’s out there and what options there are.”