Local Lionesses’ Euro ambitions
SIX NORTH EAST PLAYERS SELECTED FOR SUMMER TOURNAMENT
ENGLAND’S Lionesses have their sights set on this summer’s European Championship in the Netherlands.
Manager Mark Sampson has named six North East players in his squad for the tournament, which will take place between July 16 and August 17.
With Europe’s 16 top teams slogging it out for the title, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll win it.
But one thing is for sure: our region will be there in force.
Here are the women who’ll be representing the North East when the tournament gets under way on July 16.
Club: Notts County, Age: 29, Position: Goalkeeper
Born in Jesmond, Newcastle, Telford is a seasoned international, having won her first cap more than a decade ago against Scotland in March 2007.
She’s worked her way through the international ranks, picking up appearances at under-17, 19, 21 and 23 levels.
Telford is no stranger to international tournaments, having been called up to the 2007 World Cup squad.
After time with Newcastle United’s academy, she made the switch to Wearside, where she played for the senior team for five years.
Now with Notts County, she’ll be hoping to build on her modest seven caps this summer.
Club: Manchester City, Age: 28, Position: Defender
Steph Houghton has become a legend of the women’s game in this country before she’s even hit 30.
The first female footballer to appear on the cover of Shoot magazine, she’s arguably the most highprofile woman in the game right now.
Born in County Durham, she honed her skills with Sunderland AFC Women before moving on to Leeds and then Manchester City, one of the most successful sides in te game.
She has a huge amount of international experience, having already notched 70 caps.
After an impressive display for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics she was made England captain. She is an incredibly versatile player, having been a striker, midfielder and defender.
Club: Manchester City, Age: 25, Position: Left back
Demi Stokes is one of England’s brightest talents and, at 25, she’ll be looking to cement her reputation at an international level. Born in South Shields, Stokes is another graduate of the Sunderland Ladies academy.
Like many female players, she made the switch to the US women’s league, joining Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
She returned to the UK in 2015 and joined Manchester City, playing alongside Steph Houghton.
She’s already got 11 England caps, scoring her only goal in a 7-0 drubbing of Montenegro.
Club: Manchester City, Age: 25, Position: Defender
B e r w i c k - b o r n Lucy Bronze started training with Sunderland and Blyth before winning a scholarship for the University of North Carolina. Bronze made her name stateside, turning out for the North Carolina Tar Heels 24 times and scoring three goals.
She returned home to play for Sunderland before heading off to Everton. The defender then made the switch across Merseyside to Liverpool before heading off to Manchester City.
With caps at every level of international football, the 25-year-old has already turned out for the seniors 33 times.
Bronze is probably best known for her 25-yard screamer against Norway in the 2015 World Cup.
Club: Manchester City, Age: 30, Position: Midfielder
Sunderland-born Jill Scott won many plaudits for her technical ability and could be absolutely crucial at the tournament.
The box-to-box midfielder is an energetic ball-winner who marshals the team’s core and starts moves.
After starting out at Sunderland, she spent the majority of her career at Everton.
She joins the long list of talented players in the women’s game who have gravitated towards Manchester City, having joined in 2015.
Manager Mark Sampson will know she’s a formidable presence to have in the dressing room.
With 101 caps and 15 goals for the national team, the midfield general will be important this summer one way or another. has attacking
Club: Arsenal, Age: 24, Position: Midfielder
Stockton-born Nobbs has got a taste for trophies; she’s already won 10 pieces of silverware at club level.
She started out at Sunderland before heading for London to sign for Arsenal in 2010. Although appearances for her club have been relatively restricted, she’s been a regular for the national team.
With 25 caps and four goals to her name, she’s likely to figure heavily. England’s women are preparing to compete in the Netherlands in July and August