Carney says she was in “a pretty bad way” during her time in the United States. Away from the image of a leading international player, she was dealing with a personal crisis that eventually forced her to return home.
She credits friends and those around her with helping her recover. Discussing the experience remains difficult, but Carney has explained that she felt she owed it to the people who supported her to keep fighting. Her account is a reminder that professional status does not protect players from struggles that are often invisible to supporters and teammates.
Carney’s story also reflects how different women’s football looked during her generation. She recalls training in local parks because proper facilities and coaching were not always available, while basic support systems lagged far behind those in the men’s game.
That lack of infrastructure affected more than technical development. It meant players were often expected to manage the pressures of elite sport with limited help, limited resources and little understanding of mental health.
Since retiring, Carney has become a prominent television analyst, but her latest reflections reach beyond broadcasting. She says the speed and quality of women’s football have improved significantly and is encouraged by the way today’s players are thriving.
The progress is real, but so is the responsibility carried by those who helped build the game. Carney’s experience underlines why better facilities must be matched by stronger welfare and mental-health support.
As women’s football continues to grow, the next test will be ensuring that the next generation inherits not only better pitches and greater visibility, but also a safer environment in which to play.