Anyone keeping a close eye on Fran Kirby’s exploits in The FA WSL would not have been surprised to learn of her England call-up earlier this month.
The striker has netted 11 goals in 10 games for Reading so far this campaign, including some early contenders for goal of the season.
An audacious chip against Yeovil in the League was followed by her effort against Arsenal in the Continental Cup where she outfoxed the last defender with a sublime piece of skill before a masterful run and finish.
And if England Head Coach Mark Sampson needed any more convincing, a hat-trick in the Royals’ 4-0 win over Durham further pressed home her claim for the England shirt.
Now her dream season is about to get even better as a potential international debut lies in wait in the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against Ukraine and Belarus.
Kirby’s road to stardom started when she joined Reading’s centre of excellence as an 8-year-old.
Rising through the ranks in rapid fashion, Kirby made her first-team debut at 16 – and she hasn’t looked back since.
She scored 32 goals in all competitions last season, picking up the Player of the Season award in the process – and also played a starring role for Great Britain in the World University Games.
Mexico had no answer for her wizardry in the final as she bagged a double and set up another in a 6-2 victory last July.
In March, Kirby’s sparkling form was rewarded with a spot in the England U23 squad for a La Manga camp where she scored against Germany.
And when she pulls on a Royals shirt once more against Aston Villa at the end of the month, she could do so as FA WSL 2’s first-ever current England international.
