ENGLAND FOOTBALLER ELLEN WHITE TALKS ABOUT FULFILLING HER DREAMS AT THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
‘i had to chase her up the stairs and get down on one knee in the bedroom’
ENGLAND FOOTBALLER ELLEN WHITE AND HER HUSBAND CALLUM CONVERY TELL Ok!’s EMILY WHITWAM ABOUT HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LIONESSES’ SUMMER OF SUCCESS
The year 2019 has gifted us with a fresh new outlook on football, as the Women’s World Cup became one of the most watched events on TV. Nearly 12 million fans tuned in to watch England forward Ellen White and the rest of the Lionesses’ semi-final match, where they were dramatically defeated by the USA.
When OK! meets Ellen and her husband Callum Convery, she’s staring at her reflection in the mirror as she tries on a glamorous bodycon dress. ‘I’m just not used to this!’ laughs the 30 year old, who earned a bronze in the World Cup’s Golden Boot awards this July, after contributing to her third World Cup.
‘Since the World Cup life has got crazier,’ says Ellen. ‘Both my Instagram and Twitter following doubled!’
The footballer, who began playing for Manchester City just two weeks ago, is eager to start playing and scoring for her new team following a successful twoyear run at Birmingham City.
After being married for four years, Ellen and Callum are now in the process of moving from Nottingham to Manchester for Ellen’s exciting new transfer. ‘It was a fairly easy decision as we always support each other and work decisions out together,
but difficult for me in terms of leaving my current job, although I am excited for a new challenge and change of city,’ explains Callum, currently a sports development officer for the Nottinghamshire Football Association.
Here, the couple open up about Callum’s hilarious proposal, starting a family and Ellen’s future plans to become a firefighter...
Ellen, the Lionesses received so much support during the World Cup – how are you feeling now it’s all over?
I loved every minute of it. As the games progressed, we were told how many people were watching, which was incredible. It did really motivate us, but I’m still gutted. We had so much belief in winning the World Cup, the USA game was a horrible heartache. Not reaching the final was frustrating, we were so close!
Male footballers can be paid hundreds of thousands per week. Does that bother you? The men create a lot more revenue than we do and they’ve been going for way longer than we have.
Hopefully, in time, our revenue will increase and when I retire we’ll leave the game in a better place for the youngsters coming through. I’m an England fan anyway and watched every England game of the men’s World Cup. We need to support each other as a nation.
Callum, you must be really proud of Ellen... Absolutely, yeah, it’s just incredible. You can’t really put it into words. I’ve gone from watching Ellen 11 years ago on a windy, wet afternoon in Leeds to seeing her in front of thousands in the World Cup!
Tell us about how you met…
Ellen: We were studying sports science at Loughborough University together. He kept asking questions in class and I was like, stop asking questions, I want to go home [laughs]! We started chatting after I was injured. Callum: After you pied me [laughs]! She ignored me after I said: ‘We should hang out a bit more,’ but eventually we went out for a curry and, 11 years later, we’re still here!
You got engaged six years later in 2013 – how did the proposal go?
Callum: Absolutely horrendous. Ellen: I completely ruined it! Callum: We went for a meal after she’d been away, playing for England, and when we got home we watched some TV – I had the ring in my pocket the whole night. Then she decided she was tired and going to bed! I had to chase her up the stairs and get down on one knee in the bedroom. And then I got the wrong hand! You had a winter wedding a year and a half later – what was the day like? Callum: It was incredible. We had it in a barn outside Aylesbury and invited 60 people to the ceremony and another 60 to the evening do. Not to toot our own horn but people still talk about it now!
Ellen: It was the best day of my life.
Ellen, your profile has risen hugely since the World Cup. How’s that affected you both? Callum: We’ve been in our own bubble. We don’t go hunting down the papers or anything, so we are aware of it but we’re not at the same time.
Ellen: Since the World Cup life has got crazier. More people recognise me now and they’ve even approached me while I’m shopping. Both my Instagram and Twitter following doubled. I’ve had a few people say that if they had to choose between Coronation Street and women’s football, they’d pick women’s football! What do you think of social media?
I tried to stay off social media during the tournament as I wanted to be really focused on playing football and not get wrapped up in comments. It can be quite detrimental, like a mental barrier.
Have you faced any online trolling?
I don’t go searching for that type of thing, there’s just no point. People are always going to leave negative comments, but they don’t know me or what it’s taken the whole team to get to where we are.
Do you get anxious before a game?
A hundred per cent! I get nervous before every game, but I use that in a positive way. Nerves are good.
How do you combat nerves as a team? We’re all different in the changing room. Some people dance around to music, others just chill. I do a bit of both! You should see some of my dance moves [laughs]! Everyone has their own superstitions about what really helps them perform. But playing a World Cup game is so exciting, it’s what you dream about as a kid!
How did your love of football begin, Ellen?
When I was about four, I was always on the sidelines watching my older brother playing. So, my dad created a football centre called Mini Ducks where I mainly played with boys. Then I was lucky enough to be scouted for Arsenal when I was eight.
Have you ever felt stereotyped as a female footballer?
At school I was friends with a lot of boys through football. I was a tomboy, but the girls
took me under their wing, which was nice. People are always going to stereotype, but our game is growing. More people recognise women’s football now. They can see how much passion we have. We’re footballers in our own right.
You joined Manchester City this summer – are you excited to be playing alongside your best friend Steph Houghton? Of course. It’s always horrible coming up against her when I’m on the opposite team. We don’t want to hurt each other on the pitch!
Callum, how are you planning to support Ellen on this new journey? Will you be cheering from the sidelines?
Yes! I can’t think of a single game I’ve missed. We’ve sold our house in Nottingham and are both moving to Manchester. So when she comes home, I’ll do all the cooking. My way of supporting her is giving her that home life she needs. I’m excited for the move although it will be hard to leave my job and colleagues, we are looking forward to this next chapter together.
Are you planning to start a family? Callum: We definitely want to have kids when the time is right.
Ellen: There are so many aspects to think about if we have children with my career but for now I am happy and focussed on playing and loving every minute.
What’s the dream after football?
Ellen: I’d like to do something different, like fire fighting. Something active, but positive at the same time. Doing something rewarding is really important to me.
Callum: I think she’d be great as a firefighter. She’s been speaking about it for a while!
How do you feel about your fellow Lioness Alex Scott being in the Strictly Come Dancing line-up this year, Ellen?
Great! I hope Alex does really well. I’ve never been asked to do any reality shows myself, but I’d be up for going into the jungle! ok! STOCKISTS: ASOS WWW.ASOS.COM; H&M WWW2.HM.COM; NEW LOOK WWW.NEWLOOK.COM; TOPMAN WWW.TOPMAN.COM; ZARA WWW.ZARA.COM/UK.
‘I stayed off social media during the world cup – I wanted to be focused’