Sunderland’s Beth Mead spoke with Andy Lamb about her exciting week, in which the FA WSL 1 top scorer not only received an England call up but also a nomination for The FA Young Player of the Year award.
SK: Would you say the England senior call-up is long overdue?
BM: I think so, I’d like to think it has been coming for a while, especially the season I’ve had with Sunderland – It’s nice to know that Mark has been watching me and right to take that step up to the seniors
SK: You’re not a stranger playing for your country but with this call up being senior, does it feel any different?
BM: Yes I think it does, representing my country at the top level now. It’s a similar format but more special and you know that there’s nowhere to go from here and that you need to prove yourself at this level now
SK: What’s it going to be like to be in the same squad as Steph [Houghton] and Jill [Scott]?
BM: They’ve obviously come from Sunderland and been in the England set up for a number of years now. They’re players you aspire to, they are lovely girls and I know them quite well. I’m sure they’ll help me when I go out there with support
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SK: Great season for Sunderland finishing fourth and you were leading scorer – how do you think the season’s gone?
BM: I think we exceeded everything we meant to, people thought we weren’t going to stay up and get relegated, so to finish fourth and me to be top scorer in the league was a massive thing for the club. We achieved a lot this season, we knew we were good enough as a team, as we play for each other and I think it showed
SK: Have you been pleased with your season?
BM: You can always do better but I think to finish as the league’s top scorer and to be recognised for an England senior call-up speaks masses and I am very grateful for that. I have worked hard and it’s starting to pay off. Sunderland are looking after me really well – I am playing week-in- week-out, so there was no reason for me to move anywhere else. Carlton [Fairweather] is a great manager to work with and I have a lot of dedication to the team.
SK: The FA Young Player of the Year shortlist has been announced and you’ve been nominated with Alex Greenwood, Fran Kirby and Jodie Brett -your thoughts on that?
BM: It came as quite a surprise and it’s nice to be recognised as one of the top four in the country and be put up for something like that . It’s great to know top coaches and managers in the country see that as well as the fans.
Words: andylambmedia
Photos: The FA via Getty Images.
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