Goals and goggles!
As Ellen White hits 100 caps and eyes England’s scoring record, we meet those who helped forge a superstar
Ellen White’s glittering england career will come full circle today when she wins her 100th cap against Austria — also the opposition on her first foray into international football.
it was a cold thursday night at loftus Road in March 2010 when White appeared as a substitute in the 62nd minute. seizing her chance, the Aylesbury-born striker scored in stoppage time to seal a 3-0 win.
now White, 32, is set to bring up her century against the same opponents — and she is just two goals shy of Kelly smith’s england record of 46 goals. her achievements are even more impressive given she has not always played as a central striker and battled back from two serious knee injuries.
White was joint top scorer at the 2019 World Cup with six goals in six games — while her famous ‘goggles’ celebration saw her become a household name. As she edges closer to becoming england’s leading scorer, Sportsmail speaks to the people who know her best…
PHIL NEVILLE ENGLAND MANAGER, 2018-21
ellen is the best no9 in world football. When i came into the england job, she had been shifted around in a few different positions. But we said to her, ‘stay between the posts, try to become a killer like Ruud van nistelrooy or Alan shearer’. the way she took that on board speaks volumes about her.
it’s probably the only time i ever needed to speak to her because she just gets on with her work without any fuss. if there was a game in which i wasn’t going to play her,
there was never any drama. it was always, ‘Fine, no problem’. You knew she would be ready to go.
Watch her in the games against the very best teams — she comes alive, as all the big-game players do. in the World Cup, she was brilliant. But i would say she is in the top five players i’ve managed in both codes. she easily gets in there. i’m delighted for her, she deserves every tribute that comes her way.
RICK PASSMOOR MANAGER, LEEDS CARNEGIE 2007-10,
NOTTS COUNTY LADIES 2013-17
i Could see she would be england’s no9 for years to come and she has proven to be. everyone who has worked with her will have immense pride and sometimes you get a little lump in your throat.
i’m not surprised she’s near this milestone, she richly deserves it. You won’t meet a more humble person off the pitch.
HOPE POWELL ENGLAND MANAGER, 1998-2013
i ReMeMBeR giving ellen her debut back in 2010 and it says so much about her ability and character that she is still giving so much to her country on and off the pitch.
to reach 100 caps is an amazing achievement and she deserves so much credit for being at the top of the game for so long.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if she broke the goalscoring record while making her 100th england appearance? i wouldn’t be surprised if she did.
JILL SCOTT ENGLAND & MAN CITY
When we both entered the england team, we had an automatic connection because we both knew we were in there because we were going to work hard. But then ellen quickly established herself to be a fantastic goalscorer.
i always say when i do coaching, ‘if you want a role model, pick ellen’. she doesn’t get the credit she deserves. her record in the 2019 World Cup was so impressive. We probably do rely on her but, when it comes to big occasions and tournaments, she thrives on them.
JON WHITE FATHER
i AlWAYs hoped she would be able
to make it, i knew what she was capable of, she was always dedicated and she worked hard.
We’re amazingly proud she has reached this point. she deserves every bit of recognition.
the whole family have followed her around the world. We’ve seen her score most of her goals.
Kelly smith is an iconic player and one of the best. For ellen to get to where she is and maybe go past her record would be amazing.