Millie is the rock behind Lionesses
A COALMINER and a former England captain are the figures driving Lioness defender Millie Bright to Women’s Euro 17 glory.
When Bright steps out tomorrow for the semi-final against hosts Holland, the Chelsea player will have in mind the two men who have been hugely influential.
When she started playing in Killamarsh, the Derbyshire village where she was born, Bright received advice from her grandfather Arthur Bramhall.
As she made her way up the ladder, she had former England skipper John Terry as a role model.
“My grandad used to work in the mines, he’s retired now but he has been a big part of my career,” said Bright, the ‘hard woman’ of the England team. “He has really helped me develop as a person and a player.
“When people doubted me, he has always been the one to pick me up. He gives an honest opinion on my game.
“He has always said that if you’re going in for a ball, go in 100 per cent. If it’s 50-50, he used to say, ‘Millie, you’re coming out with it’.
“If there’s a tackle when I’ve gone in half-hearted – and I don’t think there is – he’ll say, ‘Millie, you’ve lost your bottle’. I’ve always had that mindset. To make sure I win it.”
The former Doncaster Belles defender is the only player to have started all four of the Lionesses’ games. Yet she made her debut for them only 10 months ago. She credits her rapid development on modelling her game on fellow central defender Terry.
“I’ve looked up to John,” said Bright. “He has been a massive defender for me and a rock.
“He’s really good one against one and reading the game. His position decides whether he can step in to make a tackle – the positioning is the base and the rest falls into place. Keep it basic, and that’s what I think I’ve been doing well.” ❑ ADAM SMITH believes playing for Bournemouth is hampering his England dream.
The full-back’s displays last season sparked interest from Tottenham and Chelsea but he has yet to convince Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate he can step up to international level.
Smith, 26, who recently signed a new four-year Cherries deal, said: “I feel like I have to do that little bit extra, do something a bit extra special playing for Bournemouth – the England full-backs are playing for the big teams. But if I perform well, hopefully I’ll get recognised.”
DANIEL SHELDON