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?
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.
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.
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
Comments