Kayleigh Barton: Farewell to one of Wales’ ‘wise women’

Barton was a key figure in Wales’ historic qualification for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. An achievement reached after a memorable play-off win in the Republic of Ireland but really an achievement made in the years before, under coaches Jarmo Matikainen, Jayne Ludlow and Gemma Grainger before current boss Rhian Wilkinson.

Barton played a key role during all four regimes – earning her first cap in 2012 – before deciding to hang up her boots this year.

“It was before the Ireland game and I was like, do I or don’t I? And then obviously we qualified for the Euros and then I was like, ‘this would be the perfect time’,” added Barton.

“I’d given so much for my country and we worked so hard. I wasn’t going out before going to a major tournament.

“I told my Mum and Dad and my Dad said ‘no’. But my Dad understands I wouldn’t have made this decision lightly and he supports me just like my wife and my Mum. It’s still a difficult one and I’m still trying to process it at the moment.”

Barton cites many former coaches and colleagues as mentors but says the bond shared with her Wales team-mates has been the most influential.

So much so that she feels part of an exclusive club when it comes to Welsh women’s football.

“They’re going to hate me for saying this, but we’re like the seven wise women. That is our table name,” added Barton.

“There’s Laura [O’Sullivan-Jones], there’s me, there’s Gemma Evans, there’s Rachel Rowe, Angharad James, Sophie Ingle and Jess [Fishlock]. We’re like the wise women and when you walk in a room, you’ll just always see us together.

“I’d probably say when we went to the Euros, I didn’t realise how much I leant on them a lot. They were really like my support network being away from home for a long period. I think everybody else felt it and I’d probably say we supported each other through.

“I’ve played with Jess for a very long time and if I was to end my career looking back at two other players, for me it would be Angharad James and Sophie Ingle. I look at them and what they give and who they are as people.”