Bethany England

Bethany England (born 3 June 1994) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea in the FA WSL and the England national team. She previously played for Doncaster Rovers Belles and Liverpool, and represented England on the U19 and U23 national teams.

Bethany England
Bethany England at the 2019–20 FA Women's League Cup Final, February 2020
Personal information
Full name Bethany England[1]
Date of birth (1994-06-03) 3 June 1994[1]
Place of birth Barnsley, England[2]
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward, Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 9
Youth career
Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Doncaster Rovers Belles 79 (28)
2011 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
2016– Chelsea 51 (28)
2017–2018 → Liverpool (loan) 16 (10)
National team‡
2011–2012 England U19 8 (5)
2015–2017 England U23 12 (4)
2019– England 7 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 February 2020[3]
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2020[4]

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 Women's 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, England, 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] 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.[8] 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.”[9]

England studied law part-time through a partnership with BPP University and the Doncaster Belles organization with the goal of pursuing family law.[9][10] As a youth, she admired footballers Steven Gerrard and Rachel Yankey.[11]

Club career

Doncaster Rovers Belles, 2011–2015
Everyone's journey is different. Mine has neither been easy, nor it has just been a long old roll.

Bethany England, BBC Sport [12]

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.[3] Doncaster finished in seventh place with a 2–9–3 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 3–9–2 record.[3] 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 14–1–3 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] Thought offered a full-time deal by the Belles, England opted to join Chelsea the following season.[18]

Chelsea, 2016–
England scoring the game-winning goal against Arsenal in the 2020 FA Women's League Cup Final.

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 12–3–1 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. 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.[23] Chelsea finished third during the regular season with a 12–2–6 record.[3]

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.[24][9] Her brace during the Continental Cup Final secured Chelsea's win.[25] Chelsea manager Emma Hayes called her the best English No 9 in the country.[26] 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.[27]

In July 2020, England signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea. 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."[27] In August, she helped Chelsea win the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield after a 2–0 win over Manchester City.[28]

Liverpool (loan), 2017–18

On 14 September 2017, England moved on loan to Liverpool for the 2017–18 FA WSL season.[29] 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.[30] In February 2018, she scored another goal in Liverpool's 3–1 win against Sunderland.[31] England's 10 goals ranked third on the team for the season.[1] Liverpool finished sixth during the regular season with a 9–8–1 record.[32]

International career

England has represented her country on the under-19, under-23, and senior national teams.[33] In 2012, she competed with the under-19 national team at the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Turkey. She scored two goals in five appearances.[3] The team finished third in their group, but did not advance to the Final Stages.[34]

Senior national team, 2019–

In August 2019, England earned her first senior England call up for friendlies against Belgium and Norway.[35] In October 2019, she scored her first goal as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Brazil.[36] She scored the game-opening goal in a 3–2 win over Czech Republic an assist from Nikita Parris a month later.[37] 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."[38] England made two appearances during the tournament and the team finished third. She picked up an ankle injury during training that preventer her from playing in the team's final match.[3][39]

Outside of football

England is openly lesbian, her girlfriend is Stephanie Williams.[40][41][42]

Statistics

International goals
As of match played 12 November 2019. England team score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bethany England goal.
International goals by date, venue, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 5 October 2019Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England Brazil1–21–2Friendly[36]
2 12 November 2019Stadion Střelecký ostrov, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Czech Republic1–13–2Friendly[43]

Honours

Club
England (left) and Maria Thorisdottir celebrate after England scored the game-winning goal at the 2020 FA Women's League Cup Final against Arsenal

Chelsea

Individual

See also

References
  1. "Bethany England". ChelseaFC.com. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  2. Theivam, Kieran (13 February 2020). "Ninety minutes watching Bethany England, the Chelsea star who is 'the best No 9 in the country'". The Athletic. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. "Bethany England". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  4. "Bethany England". The FA. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  5. Jackson, Jamie (8 September 2020). "Kevin De Bruyne and Beth England win PFA player of the year awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  6. "PFA Player of the Year: Chelsea's Beth England wins women's award". BBC Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  7. "Growing Up: Bethany England". The FA. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  8. "Chelsea Ladies footballer, Bethany England, visited students at Barnsley College's Sports campus". Barnsley Sixth Form College. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  9. Whatt, Katie (8 June 2020). "How Bethany England became a big fish in the WSL: 'I never, ever doubted she would do well'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  10. "Bethany has two goals in life – making the England football squad and a career in family law". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  11. "GETTING TO KNOW CHELSEA WOMEN: BETHANY ENGLAND". Chelsea FC. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  12. "Beth England: Chelsea & England striker's rise from 'not fitting in' to prolific scorer". BBC. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  13. "2011 FA WSL". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  14. "Beth Joins Owls On Loan". Doncaster Rovers Belles. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  15. "Liverpool vs Doncaster Belles". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  16. Treadwell, Matthew (20 January 2016). "Chelsea Ladies sign Bethany England from Doncaster Rovers Belles". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  17. "Bethany England scores twice as Doncaster Rovers Belles go six clear". FA WSL. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  18. Laverty, Richard (November 8, 2019). "Beth England's Rise to the Top". Our Game Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  19. Ruszkai, Amee (20 January 2016). "Bethany England signs for Chelsea Ladies". Vavel. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  20. "Liverpool Ladies forward Bethany England aiming for international recognition — FA WSL Preview". This is Anfield. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  21. "2016". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  22. "England extends to 2019". Chelsea Football Club. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  23. "2018–19 FA WSL". SoccerWay. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  24. Hayden, Bradley. "Bethany England EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea Women striker on helping the NHS, having a mother on the front-line, and life in lockdown". TalkSport. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  25. "Chelsea boss Emma Hayes applauds match-winner Bethany England's work ethic". Barrhead News. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  26. Theivam, Kieran. "Ninety minutes watching Bethany England, the Chelsea star who is 'the best No 9 in the country'". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  27. "Beth England: Chelsea striker signs new four-year deal". Sky Sports. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  28. "FA WOMEN'S COMMUNITY SHIELD". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  29. "Reds complete loan signing of England from Chelsea Ladies". Liverpool Ladies FC. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  30. "Liverpool Ladies hit Sheffield for six as Bonner brings up her century". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  31. Chamberlain, Oscar (21 February 2018). "Lasses defeated by Liverpool". Sunderland A.F.C. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  32. "2017–18 Spring Series". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  33. "U-20 WNT DEFEATS ENGLAND U-23 1–0 ON ALLY WATT GOAL IN LA MANGA". US Soccer Federation. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  34. "Slick Spain through after overwhelming England". UEFA. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  35. "Lionesses: Phil Neville names four debutants in squad for friendlies". BBC. 20 August 2019.
  36. Magowan, Alistair (5 October 2019). "England 1–2 Brazil: Debinha double condemns Lionesses to defeat". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  37. "Czech Republic 2–3 England: women's international friendly – as it happened". The Guardian. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  38. "England Women squad: Beth Mead out, Grace Fisk receives first senior England call-up". Sky Sports. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  39. "Chelsea FCW goal-machine Bethany England comes back in a walking boot from SheBelieves Cup". MSN.com. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  40. England, Bethany. "Proud of who I am 💕🌈 #pridemonth". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  41. England, Bethany. "Buying her way out the dog house 🏠 🐶 #DateNight". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  42. England, Bethany. "I love you because you're almost exactly like me and I'm the best #HappyValentinesDay". Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  43. Garry, Tom (12 November 2019). "Czech Republic 2–3 England: Leah Williamson's late goal gives Lionesses win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  44. "MILLIE BRIGHT'S STUNNER HELPS CHELSEA BEAT MAN CITY IN WOMEN'S COMMUNITY SHIELD". England FA. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  45. Whyatt, Katie (16 July 2020). "Bethany England and Emma Hayes win top Women's Super League awards". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  46. "PFA Player of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne and Beth England named 2020 winners". BBC Sport. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  47. "Beth England crowned as the PFA Women's Player of the Year 2020". The Top Flight. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
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