Bethany England Explained

Bethany England
Fullname:Bethany England[1]
Birth Date:3 June 1994
Birth Place:Barnsley, England[2]
Height:1.66m[3]
Position:Forward, Midfielder
Currentclub:Tottenham Hotspur
Clubnumber:9
Youthclubs1:Sheffield United
Years1:2011–2015
Clubs1:Doncaster Rovers Belles
Caps1:79
Goals1:28
Years2:2011
Clubs2:Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Years3:2016–2023
Clubs3:Chelsea
Caps3:99
Goals3:45
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:Liverpool (loan)
Caps4:16
Goals4:10
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Tottenham Hotspur
Caps5:26
Goals5:17
Nationalyears1:2011–2012
Nationalteam1:England U19
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:5
Nationalyears2:2015–2017
Nationalteam2:England U23
Nationalcaps2:12
Nationalgoals2:4
Nationalyears3:2019–
Nationalteam3:England
Nationalcaps3:26
Nationalgoals3:11
Club-Update:18 May 2024[4]
Ntupdate:20 August 2023

Bethany England (born 3 June 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women’s Super League club Tottenham Hotspur, whom she captains, and the England national team. She previously played for Doncaster Rovers Belles, Liverpool and Chelsea, and represented England on the U19 and U23 national teams.

In 2020, England was named the league's Player of the Year and PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year after leading Chelsea to win the 2019–20 FA WSL and 2019–20 FA League Cup.[5] She was also named to the PFA Team of the Year.[6]

Early life

England was born and raised with her two sisters in Barnsley, a large market and college town in South Yorkshire, between Leeds and Sheffield.[7] She began playing with a boys' team around age six and played with the team for 3–4 years.[7] A plaque honouring England, as part of the "Where Greatness Is Made" campaign, was installed at Junior Tykes F.C. in Barnsley in 2022.[8] She was later scouted to join the Sheffield United girls' centre of excellence. After three years with the Sheffield United girls' team, England began playing for the Sheffield United academy at age 13 where she played for three years along with her twin sister, Laura.[7] At 16, England joined Doncaster Belles and broke onto the first team within her first year.[7]

England attended Barnsley Sixth Form College.[9] At Barnsley College, her former football coaches remember her scoring the best goal many of them had ever seen at the Whitsuntide Tournament in Spain. Mark Ryan, manager of the college's sport academy, noted, "The goalkeeper kicked the ball from the edge of the box. As the ball travelled towards the halfway line, Beth stood wide right. She watched the ball come over her left shoulder and she hit it, first time, from just inside the opposition half. Lobbed the goalkeeper. There were 28 boys on the sideline, and their reaction… It went from stunned silence to absolute uproar.”

England studied law part-time through a partnership with BPP University and the Doncaster Belles organization with the goal of pursuing family law.[10] [11] As a youth, she admired footballers Steven Gerrard and Rachel Yankey.[12]

Club career

Doncaster Rovers Belles

2011–2015

At the age of 17, England established herself in Doncaster Rovers Belles' first team during the second half of the 2011 FA WSL season. She made her debut for the first team on 23 July 2011 and made four appearances during the regular season. Doncaster finished in seventh place with a record.[13] In October 2011, she went on a short-term loan to Sheffield Wednesday.[14]

During the 2012 FA WSL season, England scored two goals in her eight appearances. She scored her first goal during a 3–2 loss to Bristol City. Her second goal came during a 2–0 win over Liverpool.[15] Doncaster finished in seventh place with a record. Returning to Doncaster England made nine appearances during the 2012 FA WSL season. The team finished in last place and was relegated to the second division, FA WSL 2, for the 2014 season.

During the 2015 FA WSL season, England's 14 goals helped the club finish second during the regular season with a and gain promotion to FA WSL 1.[16] She scored a brace against Oxford United.[17] Over her five seasons with Doncaster, England became a regular starter and made close to 100 appearances for the club.[18] Though offered a full-time deal by the Belles, England opted to join Chelsea the following season.[18]

Chelsea

2016–17 season

In January 2016, it was announced that England had signed with reigning FA WSL 1 champions Chelsea for the 2016 season.[19] She scored 5 times in her 19 appearances, including seven starts, playing as a wing-back.[20] Chelsea finished second during the regular season with a record.[21]

In April 2017, England signed a new two-year contract with Chelsea.[22] A few months later she was loaned to Liverpool for the season where she strengthened her goal-scoring skills with 10 goals in 16 matches.

2017–18 season: Loan to Liverpool

On 14 September 2017, England moved on loan to Liverpool for the 2017–18 FA WSL season.[23] On 12 October 2017, she scored her first goal for the Reds in a 6–0 victory against Sheffield F.C. in the Continental Cup.[24] In February 2018, she scored another goal in Liverpool's 3–1 win against Sunderland.[25] England's 10 goals ranked third on the team for the season. Liverpool finished sixth during the regular season with a record.[26]

2018–2023: Return to Chelsea and breakthrough

She returned to Chelsea for the 2018–19 FA WSL season. Her 12 goals in 18 matches ranked third in the league and first on Chelsea's squad.[27] Chelsea finished third during the regular season with a record.

During the 2019–20 FA WSL season, England scored 14 goals in 15 games. Named Player of the Month for January and February, she was the country’s top scorer in all competitions across the top two divisions, and the Super League’s second-highest goalscorer.[28] Her brace during the Continental Cup Final secured Chelsea's win.[29] Chelsea manager Emma Hayes called her the best English No 9 in the country.[30] England scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Women's Super League and Continental Cup and was named the league's Player of the Season.[31]

In July 2020, England signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea.[32] Chelsea's general manager Paul Green noted, "We're delighted to have extended Beth's contract, as she has been outstanding in the last 18 months, playing a big part in the team's success. We feel that she is now coming in to her peak as a player and look forward to seeing how she continues to develop for both club and country in the upcoming years."[31] In August, she helped Chelsea win the 2020 FA Community Shield after a 2–0 win over Manchester City.[33]

Tottenham Hotspur

On 4 January 2023, it was announced that England had signed for Tottenham Hotspur until June 2026.[34] Her transfer fee was reported to be £250,000, breaking the record for a domestic women's football transfer.[35] On 15 September 2023, it was announced that England would now captain the team. England had hip surgery in September 2023. It is unclear when she sustained the injury. She missed the beginning of the 2023–24 Super League season.[36] In the FA Cup on 14 January, after being down 2–0 to Sheffield United, England scored twice within 11 minutes, her first goals back since injury, helping her team in the eventual 3-2 victory.[37] In the FA Cup quarterfinal, she scored against Manchester City in the 96th minute, bringing the score to a 1–1 draw. Tottenham won 4–3 on penalties, with England shooting first for her team and converting her penalty.[38] Her first goal of the 2023–24 league came in the second minute of the 1–0 away victory against Bristol City.[39]

International career

Youth

England has represented her country on the under-19, under-23, and senior national teams.[40] In 2012, she competed with the under-19 national team at the UEFA Under-19 Championship in Turkey. She scored two goals in five appearances. The team finished third in their group, but did not advance to the Final Stages.[41]

Senior

In August 2019, England earned her first senior England call up for friendlies against Belgium and Norway.[42] In October 2019, she scored her first goal as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Brazil.[43] She scored the game-opening goal in a 3–2 win over Czech Republic an assist from Nikita Parris a month later.[44] In February 2020, she was named to the England squad for the SheBelieves Cup in the United States. England manager Phil Neville said of the call-up, "She's playing in a team full of confidence and every time I see her play, she's added a little bit to the game. Without doubt she, along with Ellen White, are the best two centre-forwards in England on form and she deserves her place in the squad."[45] England made two appearances during the tournament and the team finished third. She sustained an ankle injury during training that prevented her from playing in the team's final match.[46] In June 2022 she was included in the England squad which won the UEFA Euro 2022.[47] [48]

On 31 May 2023, England was named to the squad for the 2023 FIFA World Cup in July 2023.[49]

Personal life

England is openly lesbian; her wife is Stephanie Williams.[50] [51] [52]

Statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Doncaster Rover Belles2011FA WSL401050
2012FA WSL8230112
2013FA WSL9031121
2014FA WSL 2188522310
2015FA WSL 21813512314
Total57231747427
Chelsea2016FA WSL13312145
2017FA WSL6060
2018–19FA WSL181277703219
2019–20FA WSL151420872521
2020–21FA WSL196514263103512
2021–22FA WSL2083320513012
2022–23FA WSL8220102
Total994518131492041015271
Liverpool (loan) 2017–18FA WSL1610311911
Tottenham Hotspur2022–23WSL121211101413
2023–24WSL1455320218
Total261764303521
Career total19895442217920410280130

International

Statistics accurate as of match played 20 August 2023.[53]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England201952
202020
202186
202263
202350
Total2611

As of match played 6 September 2022. England team score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bethany England goal.

International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition
scope=colNo.scope=col data-sort-type=dateDatescope=colVenuescope=colOpponentscope=colScorescope=colResultscope=colCompetitionscope=col class=unsortable
scope=row style="text-align: center"15 October 2019 Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England align=center 1–2 align=center 1–2
scope=row style="text-align: center"212 November 2019 Stadion Střelecký ostrov, České Budějovice, Czech Republic align=center 1–1 align=center 3–2 [54]
scope=row style="text-align: center"317 September 2021 St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England align=center 5–0 align=center rowspan=28–0 align=center rowspan=2
scope=row style="text-align: center"47–0
scope=row style="text-align: center"521 September 2021 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 10–0 align=center 10–0
scope=row style="text-align: center"623 October 2021Wembley, London, England2–04–0
scope=row style="text-align: center"730 November 2021Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, Englandalign=center 12–020–0[55]
scope=row style="text-align: center"8align=center 19–0
scope=row style="text-align: center"930 June 2022 Letzigrund, Zürich, Switzerland 3–0 4–0 [56]
scope=row style="text-align: center"106 September 2022Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, Englandalign=center 6–010–02023 FIFA World Cup qualification[57]
scope=row style="text-align: center"11align=center 10–0

Honours

Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur

England

2022[61]

Individual

2019–20[63]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: England (ENG) . . 9 . 11 July 2023 . 11 July 2023.
  2. Web site: Theivam . Kieran . Ninety minutes watching Bethany England, the Chelsea star who is 'the best No 9 in the country' . . 13 February 2020 . 13 February 2020.
  3. Web site: Bethany England . ChelseaFC.com . 6 September 2019 . 6 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190306065846/https://www.chelseafc.com/en/teams/women/beth-england?pageTab=biography . dead .
  4. Web site: Bethany England. Soccerway. 20 March 2018.
  5. News: Jackson . Jamie . Kevin De Bruyne and Beth England win PFA player of the year awards . 9 October 2020 . The Guardian . 8 September 2020.
  6. News: PFA Player of the Year: Chelsea's Beth England wins women's award . 12 October 2020 . BBC Sport . 8 September 2020.
  7. Web site: Growing Up: Bethany England . The FA . 12 October 2020.
  8. Web site: 2022-09-22 . England's Euro 2022 winners honoured with gold plaques at local football clubs . 2023-04-02 . 90min.
  9. Web site: Chelsea Ladies footballer, Bethany England, visited students at Barnsley College's Sports campus. . 14 December 2016 . Barnsley Sixth Form College . 12 October 2020.
  10. News: Whatt . Katie . How Bethany England became a big fish in the WSL: 'I never, ever doubted she would do well' . 12 October 2020 . The Telegraph . 8 June 2020.
  11. News: Bethany has two goals in life – making the England football squad and a career in family law . 12 October 2020 . Barnsley Chronicle.
  12. Web site: GETTING TO KNOW CHELSEA WOMEN: BETHANY ENGLAND . Chelsea FC . 12 October 2020 . 31 October 2019.
  13. Web site: 2011 FA WSL . SoccerWay . 12 October 2020.
  14. Web site: Beth Joins Owls On Loan. Doncaster Rovers Belles. 23 October 2011. 3 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407061143/http://www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk/news/beth_joins_owls_on_loan.html. 7 April 2012.
  15. Web site: Liverpool vs Doncaster Belles . SoccerWay . 12 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Treadwell. Matthew. Chelsea Ladies sign Bethany England from Doncaster Rovers Belles. Sky Sports. 20 March 2018. 20 January 2016.
  17. Web site: Bethany England scores twice as Doncaster Rovers Belles go six clear. FA WSL. 20 March 2018. 3 October 2015.
  18. News: Laverty . Richard . Beth England's Rise to the Top . 12 October 2020 . Our Game Magazine . November 8, 2019.
  19. Web site: Ruszkai. Amee. Bethany England signs for Chelsea Ladies. Vavel. 20 March 2018. 20 January 2016.
  20. Web site: Liverpool Ladies forward Bethany England aiming for international recognition — FA WSL Preview . 10 February 2018 . This is Anfield . 12 October 2020.
  21. Web site: 2016 . SoccerWay . 12 October 2020.
  22. Web site: England extends to 2019. Chelsea Football Club. 20 April 2017. 20 March 2018.
  23. News: Reds complete loan signing of England from Chelsea Ladies. Liverpool Ladies FC. 20 March 2018. 14 September 2017. 18 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180618131359/http://ladies.liverpoolfc.com/news/reds_complete_loan_signing_of_england_from_chelsea_ladies.html#QFkP7Y8OgjsHdSHP.97. dead.
  24. News: Liverpool Ladies hit Sheffield for six as Bonner brings up her century. Liverpool Echo. 20 March 2018.
  25. News: Sunderland A.F.C.. Lasses defeated by Liverpool. Chamberlain. Oscar. 21 February 2018. 20 March 2018.
  26. Web site: 2017–18 Spring Series . Soccerway . 12 October 2020.
  27. Web site: 2018–19 FA WSL . SoccerWay . 12 October 2020.
  28. Web site: Hayden . Bradley . Bethany England EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea Women striker on helping the NHS, having a mother on the front-line, and life in lockdown . 25 April 2020 . TalkSport . 12 October 2020.
  29. News: Chelsea boss Emma Hayes applauds match-winner Bethany England's work ethic . 12 October 2020 . Barrhead News . 29 February 2020.
  30. Web site: Theivam . Kieran . Ninety minutes watching Bethany England, the Chelsea star who is 'the best No 9 in the country' . The Athletic . 12 October 2020.
  31. News: Beth England: Chelsea striker signs new four-year deal . 12 October 2020 . Sky Sports . 29 July 2020.
  32. Web site: Carlisle . André . 2020-07-29 . OFFICIAL: BETHANY ENGLAND HAS SIGNED A NEW FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT . 2022-11-04 . en.
  33. News: FA WOMEN'S COMMUNITY SHIELD . BBC Sport . 12 October 2020.
  34. Web site: Bethany England completes move . Tottenham Hotspur . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023.
  35. Web site: Bethany England: Tottenham sign striker from Chelsea in British transfer record deal for reported £250,000 . Sky Sports . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023.
  36. Web site: George-Miller . Dustin . 2023-09-06 . Spurs Women’s Beth England undergoes "minor surgery," will miss start of WSL season . 2023-09-29 . Cartilage Free Captain . en.
  37. News: Downey . Sophie . 2024-01-14 . Ayane completes Spurs comeback over Sheffield United in Women’s FA Cup . 2024-01-15 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  38. News: Hawkins . Emillia . 2024-03-10 . Tottenham 1-1 Manchester City (4-3 pens): Women’s FA Cup quarter-final – as it happened . 2024-03-12 . the Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  39. News: Unwin . Will . 2024-03-24 . WSL roundup: Arsenal close on Champions League with Villa win . 2024-03-25 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  40. Web site: U-20 WNT DEFEATS ENGLAND U-23 1–0 ON ALLY WATT GOAL IN LA MANGA. US Soccer Federation. 20 March 2018. 4 March 2016.
  41. Web site: Slick Spain through after overwhelming England . 5 July 2012. UEFA . 12 October 2020.
  42. Web site: Lionesses: Phil Neville names four debutants in squad for friendlies . BBC . 20 August 2019.
  43. Web site: Magowan . Alistair . England 1–2 Brazil: Debinha double condemns Lionesses to defeat . BBC Sport . 5 October 2019 . 5 October 2019.
  44. News: Czech Republic 2–3 England: women's international friendly – as it happened . 12 October 2020 . The Guardian . 12 November 2019.
  45. News: England Women squad: Beth Mead out, Grace Fisk receives first senior England call-up . 12 October 2020 . Sky Sports . 21 February 2020.
  46. Web site: Chelsea FCW goal-machine Bethany England comes back in a walking boot from SheBelieves Cup . MSN.com . 12 October 2020 . 13 March 2020.
  47. Web site: England Women's final squad named for EURO 2022 . Davies . Callum . England Football.com . The FA . 15 June 2022 . 12 July 2022.
  48. https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/teams/500039/squad/ England Squad
  49. Web site: Gerty . David . May 31, 2023 . England squad named for 2023 Women's World Cup . 2023-06-19 . England Football . en.
  50. Web site: England . Bethany . Proud of who I am #pridemonth . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CB9DooSjSWL . 2021-12-24 . limited. 13 December 2020.
  51. Web site: England . Bethany . Buying her way out the dog house #DateNight . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B9xMR0ZFFbb . 2021-12-24 . limited. 13 December 2020.
  52. Web site: England . Bethany . I love you because you're almost exactly like me and I'm the best #HappyValentinesDay . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B8jpSpQFYP9 . 2021-12-24 . limited. 13 December 2020.
  53. Web site: England – B. England – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway.
  54. Web site: Garry . Tom . Czech Republic 2–3 England: Leah Williamson's late goal gives Lionesses win . BBC Sport . 12 November 2019 . 12 November 2019.
  55. Web site: Emma. Sanders. England 20–0 Latvia: Ellen White sets all-time scoring record with hat-trick. 30 November 2021. BBC Sport. 13 April 2022.
  56. Web site: Switzerland 0–4 England: Second-half show seals win in final Euro 2022 warm-up. 30 June 2022. BBC Sport. 30 June 2022.
  57. News: Sanders . Emma . 6 September 2022 . Lionesses hit 10 to mark Euro 2022 homecoming in style . en-GB . BBC Sport . 6 September 2022.
  58. Web site: MILLIE BRIGHT'S STUNNER HELPS CHELSEA BEAT MAN CITY IN WOMEN'S COMMUNITY SHIELD . England FA . 12 October 2020.
  59. Web site: Sanders . Emma . 12 May 2024 . Women's FA Cup final: Manchester United beat Tottenham to win first major trophy . 12 May 2024 . BBC Sport . en.
  60. News: Sanders . Emma . England beaten by Spain in Women's World Cup final . 20 August 2023 . . 20 August 2023 . https://archive.today/20230820135817/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66561827 . 20 August 2023.
  61. Web site: Sanders . Emma . 31 July 2022 . England beat Germany to win first major women's trophy . BBC . 31 July 2022.
  62. News: Whyatt . Katie . Bethany England and Emma Hayes win top Women's Super League awards . 12 October 2020 . The Telegraph . 16 July 2020.
  63. Web site: PFA Player of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne and Beth England named 2020 winners . BBC Sport . 8 September 2020. 8 September 2020.
  64. Web site: Beth England crowned as the PFA Women's Player of the Year 2020 . 9 September 2020 . The Top Flight . 12 October 2020.
  65. Web site: 2022-08-01. Lionesses and Sarina Wiegman given Freedom of the City of London after Euros win. 2022-08-01. ITV News.