Kelly Smith honoured in exhibition between Arsenal and All-Star XI after announcing her retirement... and she scored despite being pregnant

  • Arsenal Ladies held an exhibition in honour of Kelly Smith, who has retired
  • Smith was joined by ex-England manager Hope Powell among the major names
  • Fans turned out to show their appreciation to the all-time top England goalscorer
  • Smith defied pregnancy to score a penalty but Arsenal beat her all-stars 4-2 

Some of England's best female footballers turned out on Sunday afternoon for a match in honour of this country's greatest player in the women's game, Kelly Smith.

Smith retired last month aged 38 after an illustrious two-decades long career, and the game was played between a Kelly Smith All-Star team picked by her, and the English club team most closely associated with the ex-England captain, Arsenal.

Smith herself was supposedly unable to play in the game, as she is pregnant with her first child, instead managing the team bearing her name - but that didn't stop her making a late cameo appearance with 10 minutes to play, to slot home a late penalty.

Arsenal Ladies held an exhibition match in honour of Kelly Smith, who has retired aged 38

Arsenal Ladies held an exhibition match in honour of Kelly Smith, who has retired aged 38

Smith was joined by her former England manager Hope Powell along with other major names

Smith was joined by her former England manager Hope Powell along with other major names

Smith came on to score an equalising penalty but Arsenal went on to win the friendly 4-2

Smith came on to score an equalising penalty but Arsenal went on to win the friendly 4-2

The exhibition match at Boreham Wood's Meadow Park ground, where Arsenal Ladies play, saw England international Steph Houghton and another former international captain, Faye White, turn out for the all-star team, but couldn't stop Arsenal winning 4-2.


Among the other famous faces was the former England women's manager, Hope Powell, who was in charge when Smith wore the armband. She played the first 15 minutes in the all-stars game.

Smith is the all-time record goalscorer for her country in the women's game, with 46 goals from 117 appearances, starring at two World Cups and four European Championships.

Fans turned out at Meadow Park to show their appreciation, some even composed poetry

Fans turned out at Meadow Park to show their appreciation, some even composed poetry

Smith played in the last 10 minutes of game despite the fact she is pregnant with her first child

Smith played in the last 10 minutes of game despite the fact she is pregnant with her first child

Powell, who gave Smith the England captaincy, played the first 15 minutes at Boreham Wood

Powell, who gave Smith the England captaincy, played the first 15 minutes at Boreham Wood

Across three spells at Arsenal she won the European Cup, six league titles and five FA Cups, and the fans were out in force to show their appreciation.

Banners and signs surrounded the pitch, including one enterprising fan who composed a limerick dedicated to Smith.

Arsenal printed an official programme for the day, with '#thankyoukelly' emblazoned on the cover across a picture of Smith liftting the fifth and final FA Cup of her career.

Current England star Steph Houghton (left) was among the players in the Kelly Smith all-star XI

Current England star Steph Houghton (left) was among the players in the Kelly Smith all-star XI

Arsenal Ladies paid tribute to the five times FA Cup winner with a dedicated programme

Arsenal Ladies paid tribute to the five times FA Cup winner with a dedicated programme

Smith is widely regarded as being England's best female player and a pioneer for the game

Smith is widely regarded as being England's best female player and a pioneer for the game

Smith remains a significant figure at theclub - she coaches the Development Squad at Arsenal Ladies, the feeder group for the first team, and is studying for her A-licence coaching badge.

He retirement drew tributes from across the footballing world, including from Steven Gerrard, Ian Wright and Peter Beardsley.

In an exclusive interview with Sportsmail, Smith said: 'It's blown me away. You don't hear it when you're in the sport. It's not until you've finished that random people feel the need to get in touch. 

Former England goalkeeper and BT Sport pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis was among the players

Former England goalkeeper and BT Sport pundit Rachel Brown-Finnis was among the players

The all-stars wore face masks of Smith in a cheeky tribute for the team photograph

The all-stars wore face masks of Smith in a cheeky tribute for the team photograph

Smith won the European Cup, six league titles and is England women's record goal scorer

Smith won the European Cup, six league titles and is England women's record goal scorer

'They have said they have loved watching me play and that I played with such passion. It's been touching because I didn't know people felt that way about me and my career and what I have done for the game.'

The tributes continued during the game - when Arsenal took the lead after 35 minutes through Kim Little, the team surrounded Smith and mock worshipped as celebration.

A Danielle Carter strike made it 2-0 at half-time, before Steph Houghton pulled one back just after the break, before Smith's final goal in an Arsenal shirt came from the penalty spot.

Arsenal snatched it late on with two goals in the 88th and 90th minutes, through Jordan Nobbs and Rianna Dean. 

When Arsenal took the lead, the team surrounded Smith and mock worshipped as celebration

When Arsenal took the lead, the team surrounded Smith and mock worshipped as celebration

Houghton (centre) pulled a goal back for the all-stars who also went to celebrate with Smith

Houghton (centre) pulled a goal back for the all-stars who also went to celebrate with Smith

After the game the applause was all for Smith from the players and 2,351 supporters

After the game the applause was all for Smith from the players and 2,351 supporters

Tributes on Twitter came in for Smith from across the world of football during and after the game on Sunday: 

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