England fans will probably remember 1996 as the year the men came so close to European Championship glory.
It’s also the year one of the most iconic players of the women’s game, Faye White, began her career as a footballer.
getty
7
Faye White is one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s game
The world was a different place in 1996: the Gallagher brothers were friends, the internet was barely a thing and women’s football was still in its infancy.
White, the Arsenal and Lionesses legend, never got to experience the raucous scenes of Euro ’96 during a glittering career which saw her win nine FA Women’s Cups and make 90 appearances for her country.
But now, times are changing. We stayed up in our millions to watch the Lionesses come third at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
DEAL DONE
Real Madrid confirm Eden Hazard signing to end long-running transfer saga
THANK YOU
These Chelsea fans pour their hearts out for 'true legend' Eden Hazard
in the money
Hazard joins Real Madrid and will reportedly double his wages
gossip
Chelsea transfer news live: Hazard moves to Real Madrid, transfer ban appeal latest
gossip
Transfer news LIVE: Hazard joins Real Madrid, Sessegnon to leave Fulham, plus more
LET'S GO
Women's World Cup opening ceremony: The best pictures from the party in Paris
ALL SEEMS REAL
Hazard shirts spotted at Real Madrid shop - number he will wear revealed
Protest
Why Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg is not playing for Norway at the World Cup
The following season, attendances in the Women’s Super League grew by 50 per cent, and it didn’t stop there.
England’s semi-final against the Netherlands at Euro 2017 drew the biggest ever audience for a women’s football match in the UK, peaking at more than four million viewers.
And ahead of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which begins tonight when hosts France face South Korea, there is a genuine excitement for perhaps the first time in this country.
William Hill
7
Faye White (right) made 300 appearances for Arsenal Ladies
Speaking at a William Hill pre-World Cup event, White told talkSPORT: “Has there ever been this buzz? No!”
“The media coverage for this World Cup is above and beyond anything. Each time we have thought it’s getting bigger and bigger. The last World Cup, nearly two million people were watching it at midnight.
“It’s on another level and that will only motivate the girls. Yes it’ll raise expectation, but they have those expectations themselves anyway. If anything, it’ll give them that confidence that they’re making a change now.
getty
7
The nation expects the women to do something special at this World Cup
“It’ll give them more pride than they’ve ever felt playing in an England shirt.”
The Lionesses, fresh from their triumph in the SheBelieves Cup, are genuine contenders to become world champions for the first time in history.
Ahead of their opener against Scotland on Sunday, Phil Neville’s team enter the tournament as third favourites, behind the USA and France.
getty
7
Steph Houghton and co. have a genuine chance to make history in France
But White, England Women’s longest serving captain, knows better than anybody that the Lionesses’ history at major tournaments, much like the men’s team, is littered with heartbreak and disappointment.
The 41-year-old captained her country at two European Championships and two World Cups – and has the scars to prove it.
In 2007, White played on with a broken nose for the final ten minutes of England’s quarter-final defeat to the USA, who the Lionesses are still yet to beat in a competitive match.
Women's World Cup on talkSPORT
talkSPORT is your home of the Women's World Cup! Here's what's coming up this weekend...
- France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) – talkSPORT
- England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) – talkSPORT
At Euro 2009, she led the women all the way to the final, only to be beaten by Germany.
And it was White who missed the all-important fifth penalty against France at the 2011 World Cup, as the Lionesses went crashing out in the quarter-finals.
But the former centre-back believes the pain of the past will make the current team stronger – and now could be the perfect time for them to win it.
getty
7
White blazed her penalty over the bar in the shootout against France in 2011
getty
7
White was left crestfallen at the World Cup in Germany
“I think they have a great chance of going all the way. They’ve had that experience of going so close. Yes we need a bit of fortune in terms of results as you always do,” White added.
“I think we’ve seen a progressive increase in media coverage over the years and certainly since 2009 when we got to the Euro final.
“Each tournament has shown a rise and there is a feel-good feeling around the game and that results in increased attendances.
getty
7
Phil Neville has already guided the Lionesses to glory in the SheBelieves Cup
“The big thing is if we win it, it would go to a completely different level. I do believe now is the time.
“It would be a perfect time to catapult it to bigger than it’s ever been.”
The Lionesses are 7/1 with William Hill to win the Women’s World Cup.
Listen to every England game live on talkSPORT – and tune in for France vs South Korea tonight at 8pm.
Welcome to the Official Man City FC website. Get all the latest news now, injury updates, TV match information, player info, match stats and highlights, plus tickets, shirts and much more.
Arsenal vs Man City teams news, prediction and preview as Pep
Dele Alli and other Tottenham stars 'did not step up' in
England have climbed one place to fourth in FIFA's latest world rankings after their crushing Euro 2020 qualifying victories over the Czech Republic and Montenegro. Gareth Southgate's men are
FIFA World Rankings 2019: England Climb to 4th in April List
Tottenham team news: Predicted Spurs line up vs Huddersfield - keeper woe, defender injury Lucas Moura has partnered Harry Kane up front in recent weeks and could do so again while Dele Alli
Tottenham vs Barcelona: Team news, injuries, possible lineups
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Catalan newspaper forgets to unschedule video celebrating LaLiga club's Champions League victory The Reds completed a remarkable comeback at Anfield thanks to doubles
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: Catalan newspaper forgets to
← Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola tells talkSPORT 'the media desire Liverpool to be champions' Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool join race for Ajax star, Man United target Paulo Dybala, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rejects English job →
Pep Guardiola says Liverpool play with no pressure as City
to break through at Manchester United but thriving in Croatia and in the Chile squad. New Entry Discarded by Manchester United last summer but scoring regularly in the Bundesliga. One of the brightest Mexican talents of recent times, a 2012 Olympic gold medal winner who has recovered from a dip in form to star at Porto. New Entry Clever
Sarri may choose to sacrifice their top four chances in order to focus on their momentum in Europe. Should Chelsea win the Europa League, they will have a chance to play in the Champions League
Maurizio Sarri asks to leave Chelsea FC ahead of potential
That is the strapline being championed on Friday by professional footballers in England and Wales as they stage a 24-hour boycott of social media platforms, in protest against the lack of action being taken in response to racism.
'#Enough' - Premier League players boycott social media in
Neil Warnock has confirmed that he will remain as Cardiff City manager despite the side being relegated to the SkyBet Championship. Warnock will stay with the Bluebirds for another season and has told the media that he will offer his help in finding his successor thereafter.
Neil Warnock expected to stay at Cardiff City despite
Arsenal news: Game of Thrones' UK start time gives fans a dilemma about whether to watch Watford or Westeros The Gunners play in the Premier League at 8pm, with the hit HBO show starting an hour
Arsenal news: Game of Thrones' UK start time gives fans a
Matthijs de Ligt latest: Ajax defender speaks out amid
Tottenham's semi-final comeback eclipses Liverpool's win over Barcelona, says talkSPORT host Jason Cundy 'superhuman' Former Chelsea and Spurs defender hails the north London side's magnificent victory in Amsterdam Tottenham's stunning Champions League semi-final win over Ajax has eclipsed Liverpool's amazing comeback against
Tottenham qualify for Champions League final: How social
Mike Dean (referee) Celebrates Tranmere Rovers getting Promoted (League 2 Play Off Final) ANTHEM AND JEER THE ENGLISH ANTHEM AT LEAGUE 2 PLAY OFF FINAL as Liverpool reach the Champions
Mike Dean at Tranmere game video - caughtoffside.com
No comments:
Post a Comment