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BEEB THE BEST

I’m a Lionesses legend and scored for England at a Women’s World Cup… now I’m a host on CBeebies

RACHEL YANKEY was a legend for club and country during a senior career that spanned 20 years.

She enjoyed two spells with Arsenal totalling 15 seasons.

Rachel Yankey, pictured in 2011, played in two World Cups for the England Lionesses
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Rachel Yankey, pictured in 2011, played in two World Cups for the England LionessesCredit: PA:Press Association
The former striker now presents CBeebies show Footy Pups
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The former striker now presents CBeebies show Footy Pups

And she was at one point one of the England Lionesses' most recognisable players as she made 129 international appearances.

During that time, she played in two World Cups and reached the quarter-final in both 2007 and 2011, and scoring a goal against Japan.

After retirement in 2016, Yankey briefly tried her hand in management at London Bees.

However, her primary career would turn out to be very different as she became a children's TV presenter.

READ MORE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP NEWS

Since 2015, she has presented CBeebies series Footy Pups, where she teaches six different kids new skills every week.

And she said that playing football was invaluable in helping her develop a career in other areas.

Yankey told : “There are many things you can get out of football that you can take into the world of work.

“Such as being confident to problem-solve quickly, because you have to do that on a football pitch, or speak in front of teammates, that could help with leading a meeting.”

“If you don’t become a footballer, there are so many different jobs within the game.

"You might write about football, take pictures, be a physio or a doctor.”

Yankey has also written a book to inspire kids' participation in the game called How to be a Footballer and Other Sports Jobs.

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