Drew Spence Becomes Women’s Super League All-Time Appearance Record Holder
Tottenham midfielder Drew Spence has expressed great pride in becoming the Women’s Super League’s all-time appearance record holder. The 34-year-old achieved this feat during Tottenham’s WSL match against Birmingham City on Sunday, marking her 217th appearance in the league.
Spence surpassed former Chelsea captain Millie Bright and now stands as the only outfield player at Tottenham who could potentially play the full 90 minutes in all their WSL matches this season. “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 told BBC Sport. She emphasized the hard work that led to this accomplishment, reflecting on how, in her younger years, her focus was primarily on winning trophies rather than personal accolades.
She noted, “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.” Spence acknowledged the sacrifices involved in maintaining her fitness and motivation over many seasons, underscoring her commitment to her profession.
In addition to her impressive record, Spence has had a long career in London, moving from Chelsea to Tottenham in 2022 after spending 14 years at Chelsea, where she won five league titles and four FA Cups as part of a highly successful team. Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert praised her, stating, “She was a great team-mate, such a sweet soul off the pitch, but when she got on it, she was an absolute warrior.”
Named Tottenham captain during the summer, Spence has become a key player for manager Martin Ho. She played more matches in her first season at Tottenham than in any single season at Chelsea and has not missed a minute of gameplay in the ongoing 2026-27 season. “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,” Spence shared.
Despite her achievements, Spence admitted to having some regrets from earlier in her career, particularly regarding her body preparation. However, she sees these experiences as part of her personal and professional growth. “I think people around me know that I’ve always just tried to do the best I can,” she remarked.
Tottenham manager Ho acknowledged Spence’s determination and adaptability since joining the club. “Her performances and her ability to adapt and change – physically, technically, tactically – she’s taken huge steps,” he said, highlighting the respect she has earned at Tottenham.
Spence, a member of the Jamaican national squad, previously advocated for reform within the Jamaica Football Federation, emphasizing the need for improvements in women’s football. “She’s used all those experiences to put herself in the position she is and she’s grown from them,” added Ho.
Looking ahead, Spence expressed her desire to continue playing and improving her game. “It was always my biggest dream [to play football] so I want to do it for as long as I can and enjoy it whilst I still can,” she stated, hopeful for the future of her career.
