Footballer is honoured
England Football and Nationwide Building Society have launched a new campaign that aims to promote mutual respect on and off the pitch and inspire the next generation of footballers.
On Tuesday the campaign made its way to The Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath, to honour exEngland captain Faye White MBE, a Lionesses legend associated closely with the Horsham District, as part of the ‘Where Greatness is Made’ campaign.
The campaign has been set up to celebrate the lives and careers of some of the iconic women who have captained England to date.
Faye, who was born in
Horley, is a highly-respected role model in women’s football and her contribution to the game was recognised in 2007 when she was awarded an MBE, and also in 2015 when she was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
Faye is a former England international footballer who captained the Lionesses intermittently from 2002-2012 whilst battling through injuries, yet still held a record 90 caps and scored 12 goals.
In her early career she trained on the pitches at Broadbridge Heath and played for Broadbridge Heath Ladies and Horsham Ladies before being selected for Arsenal and then the national side.
The ’Where Greatness is Made’ campaign is honouring captains with a commemorative plaque in their hometown community. Faye’s plaque has been put at The Bridge Leisure Centre.
Faye said: “It’s amazing to be involved with a campaign like this that focuses on championing equality and respect. I hope the ‘Where Greatness Is Made’ campaign will emphasise that everyone starts somewhere and serve to nurture respect in our next generation of footballers.”
Horsham District Council deputy leader, Councillor Tony Hogben, said: “On behalf of Horsham District Council I would like to say that we are extremely proud of Faye and all that she has achieved for our local community and for football. It is only fitting that her considerable achievements are being recognised today at The Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath where she used to train and where she played her first football matches.”