Few players in English football are able to boast of winning eight league titles at their current club, but thats just the situation Millie Bright finds herself in at Chelsea.
The 32-year-old joined the Blues in 2014 and has been front and centre during the clubs current golden age which has seen them dominate the domestic game over the past decade.
Chesterfield-born Bright began her career at Doncaster Belles, but when she was 19, they were demoted from the WSL to make way for Manchester City, a situation that still rankles with her.
Bright on her journey to Chelsea
[It was] really tough, Bright tells FourFourTwo. We had to play a whole season knowing that we were relegated. The decision was nothing to do with the football on the pitch City came in and that was that. Chelsea moved in for me just as we got relegated, but I turned them down at first, not because I wasnt grateful, but because I didnt feel ready and needed some more playing time at Doncaster.
I also didnt want to abandon them just because wed been relegated. Luckily Chelsea came in again later on, when Id achieved everything I could with Doncaster and knew it was time. I had to ring my mum and dad to tell them I was moving to London!
This move to Chelsea also came at a time when Bright was still finding her best position, after she had started as a striker. "Clearly I was rubbish as a striker, so I got chucked back! [Laughs], she continues. I was a striker when I went on loan to Leeds at 18 and scored loads of goals there. Then I went back to Doncaster, moved into midfield, and started switching from midfield to centre-back over and over again and at Chelsea too.
I think I was 23 when I sat down with Emma Hayes and was like, Right, what is my position? I want to be the worlds best in a position, what is it? She said centre-back and I was like, OK, centre-back. Although I do still go on little wanders up the pitch!
Fast forward to 2025 and Chelseas latest domestic treble saw Bright win her eighth league title in 11 years at the club.
Ill retire there Chelsea is my club, and I adore everyone there, she says. Im so proud of what weve achieved. Starting off in 2014, we hardly had any facilities and now weve got a massive gym, an incredible amount of staff, amazing pitches and a great relationship with the mens side of the club. Thats taken time, and all the hard work that Emma Hayes did. Ive loved it every single year. Theres not been a moment where Ive asked myself, Should I leave, should I not? Ive got no reason to as long as Im being pushed Ive turned 32 this year and still feel I can go to another level, I want to keep getting better.
It's clear that Bright has no plans of hanging up her boots, but she has recently taken up a side hustle, launching a clothing range with artwork inspired by your tattoos and personal motto, Dream big.
Ive got a tattoo of an owl to represent home, as weve got a barn owl at my familys stables in Sheffield, she explains. Ive got a matching 1/2 tattoo with my best friend Rachel Daly, hakuna matata, which means no worries, and a tiger that represents strength. Dream big is something my mum has said since I was little before every game, she still messages me that. No dream was ever too big, my family never held me back and said, Thats not realistic. My motto is, They say I dream too big, I say they think too small. Ive lived by that.
Bright has launched her own limited edition sports bra and sportswear range, in partnership with MAAREE. For more information, visit MAAREE.com
