On Wednesday night Ellen White had the nation cheering as her goals earned a 2-0 win over Japan and confirmed a last 16 place for the women’s team
They are the heroes who have propelled England into the latter stages of World Cups.
On Wednesday night Ellen White had the nation cheering as her goals earned a 2-0 win over Japan and confirmed a last 16 place for the women’s team.
Considered one of the pioneers in the resurgence of women’s football – and the fortunes of the Lionesses – she began playing football at the age of four in her home town, Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, where her father Jon ran a youth academy.
I was the only girl playing with the boys. I wasn’t afraid to get stuck in, even though they were bigger and stronger than me,’ she said recently.
‘I was always kicking a ball around the house or in our back garden.’
At Under-9, she was the only girl in her local team, Aylesbury Town, and scored a record 109 goals but was banned from playing the following year by league bosses who ruled mixed teams were not allowed.
Luckily the young Ellen had been spotted by Arsenal Ladies, where her father became a coach.
The striker spent eight years with them, then went on to play for Chelsea, Leeds, Notts County and Birmingham City.
Miss White marked her two goals against Japan with her trademark Biggles celebration – a nod to her husband, Callum Convery, 31, a sports development officer with the Football Association
Wedding day: With husband Callum. Miss White says her rugby-loving husband is used to being outplayed during
