‘I just wanted to make a difference... and I've done that', Northern Ireland women's record goalscorer retires

Belfast Telegraph

05-06-2025

The 36-year-old bows out as Northern Ireland's all-time leading goal scorer, netting 38 goals in 95 appearances for her country since her debut in March 2005, the most for either the men's or women's team.
Furness capped off her international career with a starring role by helping Northern Ireland not only qualify for their first major tournament at Euro 2022 but played all three games at the tournament.
At club level, the midfielder is best known for her two spells with Newcastle United, with whom she ended her club career this season, as well as also featuring for Sunderland, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bristol City and Icelandic side Grindavík.
"I've had 20 fantastic years. Coming in as a 16-year-old to now, it's been an absolute blast. The progress I've seen, especially over the past couple of years, has been fantastic,' commented Furness.
"Whether I've been in it or out of it, I've been the biggest fan. Everyone has stories and this is part of my chapter. I'm going on to a new chapter now which I'm really excited for.
"I've been in football a long time and I'd like to think over the years I've made a difference, especially with Northern Ireland. That's all I ever wanted; I wanted to make a difference and help pave the way for all you coming through."
Furness scored her first goal for her country in October 2005 against Romania, going on to represent Northern Ireland for 18 years, playing her final game in a Nations League clash with Hungary in October 2023.
Her crowning moment came when she became the country's leading women's goalscorer in November 2021, scoring twice against North Macedonia to break the record.
Some of her most important goals came in the qualification process for Euro 2022, though, grabbing five in the group stages before scoring in the Play-Off first-leg against Ukraine, and she would then provide the assist for Julie Nelson's famous header against Norway in the group stages of the main tournament.
Although she didn't feature, she was recalled by Tanya Oxtoby for the recent window with Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, ending her career on the international stage.
On the club scene, the Sunderland-born star made exactly 100 appearances in the Super League, scoring 13 goals, but success followed her around throughout her career.
Furness won the Premier League Nations Division title with Sunderland in 2011 before helping Liverpool earn promotion to the Super League in 2023 and then did the same with Bristol City a year later, before bringing down the curtain on her playing days at Newcastle United last season.
'Rachel has been the ultimate professional the entire time I have known her, whether she's been in the squad or not. The respect she's shown, and her ability to always put the team first, speaks volumes about her character,' said Oxtoby.
'She came into the last two camps and gave the squad a real lift to ensure we got the job done — that really speaks to the person she is. I'm so glad we could send her off in style. She has done so much for this country.'