NewsBeard, Bonner and Fahey pay tribute to 'ultimate professional' Dowie

It was Beard who brought the striker to the Reds during his first spell in the dugout and she repaid his faith in full by helping fire his side to back-to-back Women’s Super League titles in 2013 and 2014.

And he had no hesitation in bringing her back for a loan spell last season in what would ultimately be her swansong in the women’s game as a player.

“Tash has been a fantastic servant to women’s football as a whole, not just Liverpool FC,” Beard told Liverpoolfc.com. “But I’m absolutely delighted that she ended her career here after all the memories she created.

“The fact she’s going to continue to work with the club as an ambassador is just great and I think it’s fantastic that she continues her journey at the club she loves in some exciting new roles.

“I can still remember her first goal for us – at Lincoln away, who were a tough side – and it really set us on our way to something special that year.

“Her professionalism day in, day out stands out. That group of players – Whitney Engen, Lucy Bronze, Natasha Dowie, Fara Williams – they were all great players but they were great people and they were leaders.

“Even when she came back in and was working with the younger ones you could see that shine through. We’ve got so many good memories, obviously winning the league, all the goals she scored, a hat-trick against Everton.

“She just knew where the goal was and was a great professional. When we won the league the second time and you saw Tash praying on the pitch before we found out, you could just see that relief.

“I’m just so pleased she ended her career in a Liverpool shirt.”

Gemma Bonner was captain of the title-winning WSL teams Dowie was part of and, like her former teammate, returned to the Reds in January.

“I think ultimate professional is the first thing a lot of people would say about Tash,” said Bonner. “She comes in and she’s dedicated to being the best she can be as a player.

“She’s scored at every club she’s been at, she’s finished the chances. For me being her teammate, she was always driving the standards on a daily basis, she wanted to improve and wanted the team to improve.

“The fact she’s gone and been successful at so many different teams, played in so many leagues around the world – she loved travelling – and always putting herself with a new challenge.”

While she was a teammate for the final chapter of Dowie’s career, current LFC Women captain Niamh Fahey also played many games against the striker as a formidable opponent.

Fahey said: “I wish Tash all the best with her retirement. More often than not I was playing against her but it was fantastic to be her teammate last season and to see what a professional she is and what an out-and-out goalscorer she is.

“It’s indicative of her record where she’s been in all the top leagues and been top goalscorer at pretty much all the clubs she’s been at.

“What a fantastic record, what a top player and I wish her well. She was a really tough opponent, I had many a battle against her but it was great to see the quality first-hand day in, day out and her professionalism in those last few months.

“She deserves her new ambassador role, she’s an LFC legend, she loves the club and it’s just the perfect role for her.”

• Dowie will be honoured at Anfield at the women's Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday October 15. Tickets start at just £1 for U18s, so grab yours now here.