Millie Turner: Making her appearance for England after a life-threatening health scare
Emmy Somauroo
Millie Turner is an English footballer who plays for Women's Super League club, Manchester United, as a defender. As an 80th minute substitute, Turner appeared on the 27th February 2024, making her senior debut for the England Lionesses. However, her journey, strength and dedication to reach her debut isn’t recognised enough.
Millie Turner grew up in Wilmslow with her older brother Bruce and younger brother Jake. As a child she would go down to the Wilmslow Football Academy and played football every Sunday with her family. At the age of 10, Turner joined Stockport County before making the transition to Manchester City. She attended the centre of excellence at Crewe Alexandra however they folded, and that is when she made her first move to Manchester United.
In her England Football personal journey she touches on the impact that her dad had on her growing up with football.
“My dad was massive for me. He's always loved football and used to play for Stockport County as well so he's literally taught me basically everything that I know.”
“I want to make him proud as much as I want to make myself proud really. He is at every single game, never misses one, and he also travels to watch my brother play in Gillingham every single game as well, so it is fair to say he is clocking up a lot of miles in his car! I couldn't do it without him.”
Within her footballing career, she joined Everton in 2013, linking up with their development squad, and went on to sign her senior contract in 2014. After over 3 years with Everton, in 2017, Turner made her move to Bristol City where she was named captain ahead of the NWSL 2017-18 season. She departed the team, joining the newly formed Manchester United squad, competing in the Women’s Championship.
In January 2022, Millie Turner was diagnosed with carotid artery dissection, which is a tear to one of the main arteries which runs from the heart to the brain. She explained:
"It was a very scary time but we are lucky that we caught it early… I can't thank the medical team enough for all of their help"
Her condition started with the sensation of hearing her heartbeat in her ear, and so she went on to mention it to the club's medical team. However, it continued to get worse, her speech became slurred and struggled to focus. This led to immediate tests, eventually resulting in the shock diagnosis.
"I was told it can lead to a stroke so I knew it was serious and I had to stop all activity straight away and rest"
On 10 September 2022, Millie Turner returned to light training to build up her fitness again, and aimed to use that upcoming season to restore her play on the pitch in the Women’s Super League.
"It's been a tough journey so to get back on the pitch is an unbelievable feeling"
"I want to use this season to get back to how I was and will use this experience to make me stronger."
She was able to resume training ahead of the 2022–23 WSL season, making her first appearance since her diagnosis, on the opening day of United’s 22-23 WSL campaign, producing a victory over Reading.
After her three year absence from international football, Millie Turner appeared in the England squad in November 2023 as a replacement for Millie Bright due to her injury. However she did not play in either of the games against the Netherlands and Scotland. In February 2024, she was called up to the England squad for the friendly fixtures against Austria and Italy, to replace Leah Williamson who wasn’t named as a result of an injury. On 27th February, Millie Turner made her senior international debut, appearing as a substitute in the 80th minute.
At full time, Turner expressed:
“I can’t even put into words. I’m so grateful - I’m just buzzing! - to make my debut… I’ve just not stopped smiling, not stopped laughing, these girls are just unbelievable. I can’t thank everyone enough and Sarina for giving [me] this opportunity.”
Millie Turner’s advice for young girls and boys at grassroots level is:
“to make sure you enjoy your football and just express yourself and your own personality on the pitch.”
To this day, her story isn’t recognised enough. This article highlights the dedication, strength and determination that she proved throughout her underrated career.
Photo: https://www.instagram.com/connieleaphotos/
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millie_Turner
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62282550
https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2024/Feb/20/millie-turner-grassroots-story20240220