Town midfielder Paige Wakefield has announced her retirement from football at the age of 25.
Paige joined Ipswich Town from C&K Basildon (now Hashtag United) in the summer of 2018 after a successful trial with the club. She made her debut against Crawley Wasps on the opening day of the 2018/19 season and soon established herself as a key figurehead within the Town squad.
Paige enjoyed a terrific first season with the Tractor Girls, scoring 9 goals in all competitions on the way to winning two player of the year awards courtesy of her teammates and Town supporters.
Paige also played her part in Town's largely successful 2019/20 campaign that was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring in both league East Anglian Derby victories over Norwich City as well as throughout the Tractor Girls' historic Women's FA Cup run.
She came off the bench against Manchester City in Town's biggest game in history to date and soon made her trademark physical presence felt with some strong challenges on some of England's top international players.
Due to the ongoing disruption with the Covid-19 pandemic, Paige was restricted to just 2 competitive appearances this season before featuring regularly throughout the Blues' post-season schedule of friendlies including Town's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton.
Much beloved by her teammates for her outstanding leadership and professionalism, Paige was handed the armband when coming off the bench in her final appearance for the club against Nottingham Forest yesterday afternoon.
Overall, Paige made 41 appearances for the Tractor Girls during a three-year stint, scoring 12 goals.
Paige is now set to join Joe Sheehan's coaching staff as first-team technical coach.
On her decision to retire from football, Paige said: " I’m very proud of what I have achieved in my footballing career. Football has given me some of my fondest memories and some really incredible friends. I have loved every minute at Ipswich Town. We’ve had some lows but some amazing highs that I will treasure forever."
She added: "I want to thank Joe and Charlie for allowing me to carry on the Ipswich journey as part of the coaching team and it’s something I’m really looking forward to."
Everyone at Ipswich Town would like to thank Paige for her hard work, leadership, professionalism and contribution during her time as an Ipswich Town player and wish her every success with her new role at the club.
Paige enjoyed a terrific first season with the Tractor Girls, scoring 9 goals in all competitions on the way to winning two player of the year awards courtesy of her teammates and Town supporters.
Paige also played her part in Town's largely successful 2019/20 campaign that was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring in both league East Anglian Derby victories over Norwich City as well as throughout the Tractor Girls' historic Women's FA Cup run.
She came off the bench against Manchester City in Town's biggest game in history to date and soon made her trademark physical presence felt with some strong challenges on some of England's top international players.
Due to the ongoing disruption with the Covid-19 pandemic, Paige was restricted to just 2 competitive appearances this season before featuring regularly throughout the Blues' post-season schedule of friendlies including Town's trip to St Mary's to face Southampton.
Much beloved by her teammates for her outstanding leadership and professionalism, Paige was handed the armband when coming off the bench in her final appearance for the club against Nottingham Forest yesterday afternoon.
Overall, Paige made 41 appearances for the Tractor Girls during a three-year stint, scoring 12 goals.
Paige is now set to join Joe Sheehan's coaching staff as first-team technical coach.
On her decision to retire from football, Paige said: " I’m very proud of what I have achieved in my footballing career. Football has given me some of my fondest memories and some really incredible friends. I have loved every minute at Ipswich Town. We’ve had some lows but some amazing highs that I will treasure forever."
She added: "I want to thank Joe and Charlie for allowing me to carry on the Ipswich journey as part of the coaching team and it’s something I’m really looking forward to."
Everyone at Ipswich Town would like to thank Paige for her hard work, leadership, professionalism and contribution during her time as an Ipswich Town player and wish her every success with her new role at the club.
