TheFA.com Factfile
Name Faye White
Age 25
Height 5ft 11ins
Position Central defender
Club Arsenal
England Caps 38
Goals 4

White suffered a serious knee injury in October 2003 which kept her out of the game for almost a year, but she came back to score a goal in her first full England game and led Arsenal to an FA Cup and League double.

Faye works for Arsenal FC coaching football to girls in the Greater London area, is a patron of the Women’s Sports Foundation and has worked as a commentator for Sky Sports and Eurosport.

How much are you looking forward to the Euro 2005?
I think it’s actually hard to put it into words. To have the chance to represent your country in a major tournament in your own country is absolutely massive. And although it is still eight months away, the excitement and expectancy of the tournament is certainly starting to build up, with everything being geared towards June 2005.

Injuries have meant that I have not been involved in the England set-up over the last few months, so I know I have a lot of hard work to do. I am focusing on returning back to full fitness and playing well for Arsenal, so that I give myself the best chance of being in contention for selection and being part of it all.

What was it like being involved in Euro 2001?
The whole experience was simply fantastic and a great insight to what tournament football at the highest level is all about. We were obviously disappointed that we didn’t progress from the group stage though and I only played a part in the last game against Germany.

There are a number of players in the current squad today who were involved with me in Euro 2001 at a relative young age; they will know what to expect and prove valuable in the preparations and throughout the tournament this time around.

What can the fans expect from England in the tournament?
A younger, talented and fitter team then in previous years, which on their day has the potential to compete and match the top teams in Europe. I’m sure that there will be a lot of determination and pride on show to prove that we are simply not there to make up the numbers but to compete and take both England and women’s football onto a new level.

Who are the favourites?
I would have to say Germany. They are the current champions and have won it a number of times and no doubt will be looking to retain their crown. They have an extremely strong and young squad with loads of experience and are always major challengers in the big tournaments.

As well as Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark have already qualified. How have we fared against those sides?
If you look over our results against the likes of these teams, we have had some very good, close games and shown that we are capable of competing with them. You have to go into a competition as big as the Euros with the belief and confidence that you can compete and do well. Over the last few years we have beaten the Danes and evenly matched the French. And this was during a period where you could argue that the squad was not at it strongest.

Who will be the stars of the tournament?
There are those of course who have proved that they have the ability to deliver and have made an impact on the big stage. I would single out the main strikers of Germany, France and Sweden – Birgit Prinz, Marinette Pichon and Hanna Ljundberg. But I would have to actually pick others like Jane Tornqvist and Malin Mostrom (Sweden), Corinne Diacre (France), all players that are the fulcrum and leaders for their teams.

Then there is of course our own Kelly Smith, who for me easily has the talent to out perform all these. She has had a extremely bad run of luck with injuries, but I’m sure her time will come and she will undoubtedly be one of the big stars and set the Euro 2005 alight.

What kind of impact will the tournament make?
I think it has the potential to take the interest and participation in women’s football in this country onto a new level. The film ‘Bend it like Beckham’ really helped to raise the profile of women’s football. But Euro 2005 has the potential to really capture people’s enthusiasm and interest for the game.

The standards and numbers of girls getting involved in the game in this country have vastly improved over the last few years. And the tournament presents the ideal opportunity to continue the momentum, by increasing awareness and access to view matches and provide much needed role models for young girls playing the sport.

QUICK QUESTIONS

Where did you learn to play football?
At school, I would be the first one out there to join in with the boys. My mum used to get so annoyed as I’d come home with rips in my school skirt after trying to run around or tackle in it.

If you could achieve just one thing in football – what would you do?
Outside playing, to use my experiences and position as a role model to encourage more girls into the game and to show them that they too can get involved and one day have the chance to play the game professionally.

What are your favourite three items of clothing?
Denim jacket, combats trousers and trainers.

What was your first CD?
I’m ashamed to admit it but I think it was a New Kids On The Block CD.

What car do you drive?
Audi A3 Sport.