Drew Spence became the Women's Super League's all-time appearance record holder on Sunday when she started for Tottenham against Birmingham City. The 34-year-old made her 217th appearance in the competition and moved past ex-Chelsea captain Millie Bright.
A record-breaking appearance
Spence told BBC Sport: "I've been around for a while! I'm incredibly proud to be able to do that and it's not just a proud moment for me, but also for my family."
Spence said: "When you're younger, you don't really think about these types of accolades."
She added: "It was all about winning trophies. Now it's happened, it's such a massive part of my career and something that I can be proud of to look back on."
Career in London
Spence has played her entire career in London, spending 14 years at Chelsea before moving to Tottenham in 2022. She progressed from Arsenal and Fulham's academies and switched nationalities from England to Jamaica in 2021.
During her time at Chelsea she won five league titles and four FA Cup trophies. In her first season at Tottenham she played 22 games, more than in any campaign at Chelsea.
Spence was named Tottenham captain in the summer and has played every minute so far in 2026-27.
Fitness and plans to continue
Spence said: "I feel like I'm probably in the best shape that I've ever been. I'm recovering quicker, I understand my body a lot more and the nutrition side of things has helped me."
She said: "It's understanding what is right for me to recover and just little things. We have all those luxuries now which is amazing for the younger players."
Spence said: "I know the sacrifices - looking after yourself and making sure that you're available all the time. I know how hard it is to keep that motivation for so many seasons."
She added: "I think people around me know that I've always just tried to do the best I can."
Spence said: "I have a lot of regrets in my career, but I'm at a stage now where I'm trying to be as consistent with my performance as I can and to lead the team."
She said: "If I was more structured or understood my body better, I could have done that earlier in my career and given myself a better chance in certain points."
Spence added: "But that's all part of the journey, that's all part of growing, that's all learning experiences. It's regrets within myself. But when I look back, I'll still be proud."
She said: "There's parts of my game that I feel like I still need to improve on and I want to give it everything that I've got until I can't go any longer."
Spence added: "It was always my biggest dream so I want to do it for as long as I can and enjoy it whilst I still can."
Tributes from Cuthbert and Ho
Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert said: "She was a great team-mate, such a sweet soul off the pitch, but when she got on it, she was an absolute warrior."
Cuthbert said: "Technically, she's got the brains and the skillset."
She added: "She certainly deserves all the plaudits. To have that longevity is something I look up to. Now, she's a leader at Spurs."
Tottenham manager Ho said: "Her performances and her ability to adapt and change - physically, technically, tactically - she's taken huge steps."
He said: "She's given herself longevity and she needs a lot of praise for that. I have massive respect for Drew as a professional, and as a person for what she's done for the game."
Ho added: "She's used all those experiences to put herself in the position she is and she's grown from them."
He said: "I think Drew can play for as long as she wants. She's sharp, she's fit, very intelligent, a wonderful player for us and a really key part of what we're trying to do."
