Lottie gets England football call-up

A RIPON Grammar School student will be pulling on the Three Lions shirt after being chosen to represent England at football.

It is the latest leap in Lottie Day’s footballing career after she signed a two-year contract with Sheffield United women’s team this season.

The 15-year-old, from Thirsk, previously played for York City and is now preparing to make her debut for her country against Denmark at the beginning of February.

She will be joining her England teammates at a five-day training camp at St George’s Park, the home of all 23 of England’s national football teams.

Lottie said she was in ‘total shock’ when she learned she had been selected: “It has always been my dream to represent my country.”

She was among hundreds of elite young footballers on the England Football Women’s U16 Talent Pathway competing for just 20 places on the national team.

“It is very competitive, with girls from the talent pathway, north and south of the country, all vying for a place,” she said.

The teenager, an Arsenal fan, began playing football when she was seven and confesses she is now obsessed with the game.

Her ambition is to be a professional footballer: “After RGS, I would love to play for a top Women’s Super League team and my dream is to play for Arsenal.”

A centre midfielder, she was recently selected to train with the U21s at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park – which involves a three hour round trip every Friday - and trains three times a week in addition to a match on Saturday: “I spend almost all my time on the pitch or in the car,” she says.

She also manages to fit in representing her school in cross country running, hockey, cricket and equestrian events.

She is particularly inspired by Arsenal footballer Beth Mead whom she got to talk to online during lockdown.

“My York U12 club arranged a Zoom meeting with her and I was lucky enough to be picked to ask her some questions.

“We kept in contact after that and for Christmas that year she sent me a signed shirt.

“She has overcome many challenges including injury but now plays for the team I dream of playing for and won Player of the Tournament at Euro 22 for England when they won, which is why she is my inspiration. She never gave up.”