Lionesses striker Bethany England has opened up about her journey to the Women’s World Cup, reflecting on the time she worked in a fish and chip shop while playing for Doncaster Belles
Lioness Bethany England has described her “humbling” journey from 5am shifts in a fish and chip shop to playing at a World Cup as a “pinch me” moment.
The 29-year-old worked part-time at the Wellington Street chippy in Barnsley while studying her A-Levels and training with the Doncaster Belles. Every weekend for three years she would clean up drunk people’s leftovers, dreaming of representing her country at a World Cup.
But 10,500 miles away from that moment, Beth revealed those memories keep her humble – despite now being a “fish and chip snob”. She said: “I’d say I’m probably a little bit of a fish and chips snob, because I know what a good fish is.
“I don’t like the skin on my fish either. And if anyone wants one battered and I’m sure I’d be able to do a good job for you. But I think yeah, when I look back to working in the chippy doing a shift at 5am – cleaning up drunken people’s leftover food or alcohol bottles and I’m now playing in a major tournament.