An experienced international player with 66 caps for England and 35 goals, she is the youngest ever England coach and the first female. Hope made her England debut as a 16 year old, against the Republic of Ireland, and rose to become Vice-Captain of her country, playing in the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden, where England reached the quarter-finals.

She first played football with Millwall Lionesses at the age of 11 and also played for Friends of Fulham and Croydon in a distinguished club career. Hope was a Women's FA Cup winner 3 times, including the league and cup double as captain of Croydon in 1996.

Prior to taking up the England job, Hope gained extensive experience in coaching as a Football Development officer at Crystal Palace FC, and a spell spent working in the USA. Hope also worked as a Community Sport Development Officer for Lewisham Council, involved in a wide range of activities, including the establishing of the Pathways League, offering new opportunities for girls to become involved in football, and as a Team Leader with the Prince's Trust.