Jordan Nobbs: Newcastle promotion would complete my career

Newcastle United midfielder Jordan Nobbs says that helping the club secure promotion to the Women's Super League would make her career feel complete. The 33-year-old, who has earned 71 caps for England and won 12 major trophies with Arsenal, joined Newcastle as a marquee signing last season. The team finished sixth in the second tier during her debut campaign. Nobbs told BBC Sport that achieving promotion would feel like a mission accomplished, adding that she does not believe there would be many goals left to achieve after that. Having started her career at Sunderland before moving south—a path taken by many England players during the professionalisation of the women's game—Nobbs stated that she knew she wanted to join Newcastle from the moment they contacted her. She noted that bringing a North East team up, from a region many players previously had to leave, is an achievement she wants on her record. Nobbs identified too many draws as the reason for Newcastle's stagnation last season, but confirmed the team is not hiding its promotion ambitions following a busy transfer window. Under manager Becky Langley, Newcastle begins the new season by hosting Wolves on 6 September at 14:00 BST. Nobbs emphasised that promotion is the goal and that the team must be vocal about it, while acknowledging that progress does not happen overnight. The midfielder has also embraced a leadership role off the pitch. While teammates jokingly refer to her as a 'legend', Nobbs says she focuses on sharing her experience with younger players without letting the responsibility affect her own performance.