#ThankYouKelly

Kelly Smith announced her retirement from football on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of a move onto the Arsenal Ladies coaching staff.

Since the news broke, tributes have been pouring in from around the footballing world for one of the most influential characters in the women's game.

We asked you for your own messages - and here are just some of those tributes:

@DionFarnes: Kelly Smith - A player so gifted & talented she single handedly raised the level of the game in this country to new heights #ThankYouKelly 

@katiemcmillan90: What an incredible career @kelly_smith10 has had. Inspired so many young girls (including me) to take up football! Legend! #ThankYouKelly 

@alanajohnson25: #ThankYouKelly for all you have done to help the womens game. The player who made me an England and Arsenal supporter.

@HolohanTrevor: @kelly_smith10 @ArsenalLadies - Well done for being an outstanding servant for @Arsenal and good luck for the future!#ThankYouKelly

@Arsenal_Watch1: @kelly_smith10 A wonderful career and a fantastic ambassador for Arsenal and women's football #ThankYouKelly

@CharlotteBWebb: My Hero. My Football Idol. She gave me the strength i needed to carry on playing after my injuries! #ThankYouKelly

@WillBoye9: What an incredible player, incredible person and incredible servant to the women's game. Good luck @kelly_smith10 #ThankYouKelly

@williamsmark29: Absolute #Lionesses Legend!!! Seeing Kelly barely able to walk WWC2012 QF yet still step up to score her penalty! Unreal!#ThankYouKelly

@PrecianaBrown: @ArsenalLadies@kelly_smith10 Thank you Kelly for the opportunity to watch your fantastic career best of luck in your retirement #ThankYouKelly

@bantam75: @ArsenalLadies@kelly_smith10 you have been an amazing player to watch and support over the years as a big woso fan thank you #ThankYouKelly

@MarkyJampot: @ArsenalLadies@kelly_smith10 If my daughter grows up to be a footballer I hope she's as great as you! Happy retirement! #ThankYouKelly

@smith_rodrigo: @ArsenalLadies@kelly_smith10 I'm sad and happy at the same time. You have been an amazing footballer for AFC and in the US. #ThankYouKelly

@nicholls_zara: @ArsenalLadies@kelly_smith10 Truly was a superstar of the women's game, inspired girls to play and continues to. All the best #ThankYouKelly

@kathycool77: Not only is she the best English female player ever but thanks to her the game has progressed to where it is today #ThankYouKelly

@OsmondSian: @kelly_smith10 you inspired a generation of young girls to fall in love with the beautiful game. #ThankYouKelly best of luck for the future. 

To contribute your own messages, just tweet and use the hashtag #ThankYouKelly

More polls coming soon!