Born Kicking: Beth Mead

The young player questionnaire features Bethany Mead, the 16-year-old Sunderland striker who leads the FA Women’s Premier League National Division scoring charts. Known as Meado, and teased for being the baby of the team, Mead supports Manchester United and describes herself as fearless, hard working and sensible. She would most like to meet Wayne Rooney and Ellen White, and would pick Kelly Smith as a team-mate, reckoning the two would link up well. She remembers playing in goal as a junior for California girls, collecting the ball, beating everyone and scoring. Her heroes run from Messi, Rooney and Ronaldo to Kelly Smith, Faye White, Rachel Yankey and Steph Houghton, but her father tops the list. Sunderland manager Mick Mulhern is quoted praising her willingness to work at her game.