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Writer's pictureCharlotte Davey

England’s top goal scorer continues to make history after retirement from football

Ellen White, former England striker, is one of the country’s most successful

footballers to date. In 2022 she announced her retirement from professional

football, but her legacy still continues. She is a role model on and off the pitch, proving that younger generations of achieving their dreams, if they only believe in themselves and grow up in a supportive and accepting environment.


But what is it that makes Ellen White such an inspiration, and what made her career so successful?

Ellen White playing for Arsenal
©katiechan

Club Career

Ellen White’s senior debut as a professional footballer was over a decade ago.

During her career, she played for several successful women’s teams: Chelsea,

Leeds United, Arsenal, Notts County, Birmingham City and Manchester City. Her

stats alone prove her to be a driven and talented player, who aspired to follow her

dreams.


However, it was not an easy journey for the international star during her youth. When

White was only sixteen years of age, she suffered a serious knee injury. Having just

signed for Leeds United, this was a major setback in her rise to success. Her time on

the sidelines taught her the importance of resilience; she was back stronger and fitter

than ever over a season later, guiding Leeds United to win the FA Women’s Premier

League Cup in 2010.


Later that year, White signed for Arsenal, and this was a breakthrough moment in

her career. Spending over three years in North London, she scored twenty-five goals

and made seventy-three appearances. Her intuition and clinical finishes as a forward

helped her emerge as a key member of the Gunners squad. Winning the FA

Women’s League Cup twice, and the Women’s FA Cup and Women’s Super League

(WSL) during three years in North London introduced White to the sweet sensation

of glory. These years with Arsenal taught her the true nature of being a professional

footballer, experiencing highs and lows; she learnt that she possessed what it takes

to fulfil her dreams.


It must not be forgotten how much White contributed to Manchester City during the

final seasons on the pitch. In 2019 she moved to Manchester and made a huge

impact on the team. With thirty goals in eighty-three appearances for the club, she

became a City legend. From winning the Women’s FA Cup in her first season, to

winning the FA Women’s League Cup in her final season at the club, she certainly

had her final tastes of glory.


Former England footballer Ellen White
©JamesBoyes

International Career

Being one of the most successful Lionesses in international history, it is important to

look back on her international journey. Aged twenty, Ellen White made her senior

debut for England. Unsurprisingly, that day could not have been any better for the youngster, as she put herself on the scoresheet against Austria. This was the start of

an incredible career.


Most people remember Ellen White for her ability to perform on the big stage. As a

striker, an important goal in a high-pressure match was her specialty. In 2011, she

competed at her first senior World Cup, scoring an incredible goal. Yet, she started

winning silverware with England in the final years of her time on the pitch. Winning

the SheBelieves Cup and Arnold Clark Cup were huge achievements for England,

but the summer of 2022 was a month White had dreamed of since she was a little

girl.


England had the tournament of their lives under Sarina Wiegman, winning the UEFA

European Championship for the very first time. Hosting the EUROs and then

bringing the trophy home was everything White had dreamed. In fact, she

announced her retirement from professional football shortly after, leaving a legacy

behind for the younger generations of girls wanting to follow in her footsteps.

Therefore, her international career is unmatched. Concluding her time as a Lioness

with a history-making tournament win made her farewell even sweeter. With over

one hundred appearances for England, and fifty-two goals scored, these stats alone

reflect her presence and glory for the Lionesses.


She is still England's top goal scorer.

Ellen White at Socceraid
©socceraid

Making History

Although White decided to hang up her boots for good in 2022, the former Lioness is

still making history.


Ellen White played alongside former England teammate Jill Scott in

Soccer Aid, raising funds for UNICEF. Despite the World XIs unbeaten run for

several years in the competition, they had a dominant victory this year. White made

history netting on her Soccer Aid debut, becoming the first female goalscorer in the

charity event.


On another note, White started to engage in punditry after her retirement. White took

time out from the public sphere to look after her newborn, but after her maternity

break, she decided to take on a different role in the football. On several occasions,

she has continued to be the influential role model she is by commentating on

fixtures. Having experienced glory with many clubs and her nation, her love for the

game and hope for new records to be broken and even more success to occur is

now an element of her career as a pundit.


In particular, she has been selected as one of the BBC Sport pundits for the Men’s

EUROs this summer. Being able to provide commentary for both the men’s and

women’s game is a powerful stance that shows the world that football is football,

regardless of gender. Therefore, White is a role model both on and off the pitch and

is still a huge influence and inspiration on the growth of the game today.


UNFINISHED: her memoir fighting online hate


With a recent survey stating that almost half the young girls in the UK are subjected

to online hate, which results in over one hundred give up playing sports per day,

Ellen White decided to encourage positive change. In light of these stats, White

collaborated with EE to campaign against online hate; she published a memoir with

the powerful title, UNFINISHED.


When interviewed, White responded that she aimed ‘to create something that stops

quite abruptly at the age where young girls are stopping playing sport and giving up on

their dreams’ as this held ‘a really powerful message’. Using her experiences on the

international stage, both the highs and lows, to inspire young girls to keep dreaming

big and rising above online abuse once again showed the world that she is a true

leader and role model.


In a world where social media often takes the front foot, White conveyed the powerful

message that social media platforms should be used carefully to prevent harmful

content that could discourage young people, especially girls, from stopping their

sporting journey. White continues to lead by example, encouraging girls to follow their

dreams of one day becoming sporting heroes, just like she did.


By Charlotte Davey

@charfootie

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