Susan Melody Lopez MBE (born 1 September 1945)^[1] is an English former international footballer. She spent her entire club career with Southampton, except for a season in Italy's Serie A with CF Roma in 1971. A leading advocate of the women's game in England, Lopez has also worked as a coach, administrator and writer since her retirement from playing.

Playing career

At the age of 21, in 1966, Lopez made her debut for Southampton WFC. She was a regular in the side for almost twenty years until her retirement from playing in 1985. It was in the 1970s, when women's football was in its infancy, that Lopez and her Southampton dominated the Women's FA Cup.

Southampton, with Lopez's efforts, won the cup eight times between 1971 and 1983, appearing in eleven consecutive finals in that period. Lopez also won 22 caps as an England international, between 1973 and 1979.

She was allotted 18 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary of England’s inaugural international.^[2][3]

Coaching

On retirement, in 1986, Lopez used her experience and knowledge of the game to coach women's football. This led to Lopez gaining the FA Advance Licence in 1991. In 1996 she gained the UEFA 'A' Licence conversion. Lopez was part-time manager of the Welsh national women's team in 1995–96. From then, until 2000 Lopez served as the Hampshire Football Association's Coaching and Development Officer.

Lopez was appointed director of women's football at Southampton FC in 2001. She took over managing the Southampton Saints first team as part of the role in 2003.^[4] In 2005 the Southampton male club were relegated and scrapped their women's setup to save money, making Lopez redundant in the process.^[5]

Honours

Club

Southampton W.F.C.

• FA Women's Cup: Winner 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981

National team

England

• UEFA Women's Championship: Third place 1969, Fourth place 1979
• World cup: Fourth place 1970 (held in Italy),^[6] Sixth place 1971 (held in Mexico)^[7]

Individual

• Top scorer 1969 European Competition for Women's Football with four goals^[8]

Recognition

Lopez was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to women's football in the 2000 Birthday Honours.^[9]

In 2001, she became The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Coach of the Year. In 2004 Lopez was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. She remains dedicated to improving the profile of the women' game in England.

Publications

In 1997, Lopez published Women on the Ball, a women's football handbook tracing the history and development of the game in England and abroad.