In a shocking interview with the Daily Mail, Kelly Smith MBE opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction, tackling depression and even being tempted by the severity of taking her own life.

The interview came on the eve of England Ladies historic debut at Wembley Stadium. Usually made famous by the mens international scene, the ladies team sparked an impressive interest in the game and for the first time in women's football, matched the men's game by selling out the stadium.

Although somewhat being the poster girl for womens football and enjoying a glittering career which has taken her around America playing for Philladelphia Charge, New Jersey Wildcats and Boston Breakers to name a few, Smith is better known for driving the womens game forward during over a decade spent at Arsenal Ladies Football Club.

Having enjured a succesful career for Arsenal Ladies, captaining both club and country, Smith has spent the best part of two decades of her life playing football, and has even earnt an MBE for her troubles, back in 2008.

Despite having what some young womens footballers would believe to be the perfect career, it hasn't come without its difficulties. In 2011 Smith admitted she "would drink every day until I passed out, vodka usually" following her leg-break in America, but on the eve of one of England Ladies biggest games on the harrowed turf of Wembley Stadium, the striker spoke of her belief that she has turned a corner.

"I had thoughts of ending my life"

- Kelly Smith

Smith spoke of how she "struggled with injuries and alcohol addiction through to that part [leg-break]. Being lonely out in the States, not knowing how to cope with the injuries I had"

Since then Smith has turned a corner and feels she can now cope with injuries which in her words "are part of the game, it's just obviously how you deal with them. Now, I'm a lot better"

Smith spoke of how hard it was to overcome the idea of never playing football again, but despite persistant injury setbacks the desire of the 36-year-old still stands strong amongst her fellow professionals.

"I still want to play for Arsenal, still want to play for England at the age of 36, and I think that speaks volumes"

It is clear that Kelly has matured with age and as a now veteran of the game is happy to pass down her experiences onto the younger players in and around the Arsenal Ladies setup.

Despite Germany outclassing England in the historic match between the two sides, Smith and her international collegues will be bouyed by the success of the game and positive for the future.

It is no secret that the womens game has been developing at a rapid pace over the past few years, following the introduction of the Womens Super League in 2010, which has not only advertised the womens game on a wider global scale, but also helped push forward competing teams to achieving professional status.

Despite suffering defeat, the game proved that womens football can match the mens game on a wide, international scale. Both Kelly Smith and manager Mark Sampson will be encouraged by this develop young England Ladies side as they prepare for the World Cup in Canada next year.

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About the author
Chris Frith
21 year old studying Football, Business & Media at University College of Football Business come September, at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Aspiring journalist currently writing regularly for two separate independent news providers.