BARNSLEY woman Bethany England is hoping to add a World Cup winner’s medal to the Euros medal she claimed last year – while playing a much bigger role for the Lionesses.
The 30-year-old striker, from Kingstone, is part of the England squad which is in Australia for the World Cup that begins on Thursday, July 20.
She was an unused substitute throughout all of last summer’s European Championship on home soil which England won.
Bethany was then left out of squads for almost a year before 12 goals in 12 Women’s Super League games for Tottenham Hotspur, after a move from Chelsea, caught the eye of manager Sarina Wiegman.
England’s record goal-scorer Ellen White has retired since the Euros win.
Bethany is now aiming to be a key player for England as they try to win the World Cup for the first time.
She told the Chronicle: “I am definitely hoping to play more.
“It’s a different scenario that I am in now.
“Prior to the Euros, Sarina had only seen me play a little bit and obviously she opted for Ellen and Alessia (Russo).
“Things have changed, I have played more, she’s seen more of what I can do and that I am a goal-scorer.
“If I get more minutes, fantastic.
“If I don’t, I will still have a role to play in helping the team.
“It’s been a big 12 months and I have learned a lot about myself and what I can handle so, regardless, I am prepared for anything.”
England are second favourites behind four-time winners USA, having won the Euros for the first time last summer.
But Bethany knows it will be difficult.
She said: “The intention is to go all the way.
“But it’s a completely different calibre of players with different ages and experience (compared to the Euros).
“It will be completely different. It’s not in our home country, there’s a massive time difference.
“There are more teams involved in this tournament.
“It will be even bigger than last summer. But we will give everything we can, do the country proud and hopefully everyone continues to get behind us.”
England are due to start their tournament against Haiti on July 22 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
They then face Denmark on July 28 in Sydney before completing the group stage against China on August 1 in Adelaide.
Sixteen teams will advance to the knock-out stages with the final on August 20 at the Olympic stadium in Sydney.
All matches will be shown live on BBC or ITV.
