England call ups!
8th August
Three of our ex players are on top of the world after receiving a call-up from their country to appear
in the game's top competition.
Congratulations go to Steph Houghton, Carly Telford and Jill Scott who received the ultimate honour
this week when they were named in the England squad for the World Cup. All are included in coach Hope Powell's England party which
will head to China for the sixth Women's World Cup finals tournament, next month. Steph and Jill are both versatile midfield players
who can fill other roles in the side, while Telford is one of three goalkeepers in the 21-strong squad, announced today.
Carly and Steph have both recently joined Leeds United following our relegation from the Premier National Division. Jill left a year
ago to join Everton.
All three "learned their trade" in our Sunderland team which won promotion to the Premier League National
Division in 2004-5 season.
They are now part of an England team playing in the World Cup finals for only the second time.
Steph
Houghton said “I am really pleased to be selected and looking forward to the experience. It’s something that you always dream
of when you are young, playing for England especially in a World Cup and now I am living my dream”.
Carly has worked her way
up through the ranks of England's younger age group sides. "We've been to European Championships at younger levels, but this will
be the biggest thing we've ever done."It's the biggest tournament you could ever go to and to be part of it is going to be amazing."
She said she does not want to go to China "just to sit on the bench", but she concedes competition for places will be tough.
England
have been drawn in Group A with old foes Germany, who they play second, on September 14, in Shanghai. But, they start againstJapan, also in Shanghai, on September 11, and end the group against Argentina, in Chengdu, on September 17.