Youthful Pride: Sophie Stamp (England U19s)

Midfielder Sophie Stamp dropped down a level from Doncaster Belles to her home-town club Hull City to get regular football, and has kept her England Under-19 place as a result. Limited game time at Donny was the reason for the move, and she says playing every week has developed her game and that the England call-ups are her hard work paying off. She names Kelly Smith and, in the men’s game, Lionel Messi as the players who spurred her on. Her own Centre of Excellence journey took her from Hull, who lost their FA licence, to York, an hour’s travel each way that she says was worth it. Her advice is to strengthen weaknesses and get as much game time as possible.