Beth Mead is one of seven north-east players in the England squad for the match against Brazil in Middlesbrough on Saturday – but she has the most rock-solid claims to the moniker ‘local hero’.
The 24-year-old cut her teeth in Boro’s centre of excellence, an enjoyable six-year spell which laid the foundations for a hitherto prolific career.
And her love and affection for Teesside doesn’t end there.
Having gained a sports development degree from Teesside University, Mead’s formative years were very much spent in that part of the world; so much so that she’s not averse to calling Middlesbrough ‘home’.
“I owe Middlesbrough a lot,” she said. “Both the place and the football club.
“I developed a lot of my game at Middlesbrough between the ages of 10 and 16 and they set me off on the path to become a full-time professional.
“In some ways you could call Middlesbrough my hometown: I played for the club, I studied at Teesside Uni. I guess I’ve learned a lot in Middlesbrough!
“My uncle is a massive Boro fan, too, and I used to go with him to the Riverside to watch the likes of Massimo Maccarone and Bolo Zenden. I’ve actually been there quite a lot as a spectator so it will be really nice to get out on the pitch.”
BUY ENGLAND v BRAZIL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Mead has played for England all over the world. She made her senior team debut against Wales in Southampton and, after matches in Bosnia and Russia, she scored her first senior goals – a brace – against Kazakhstan in Pavlodar, some 4,000 miles away from her native Whitby.
Needless to say, she is excited that Saturday's match is virtually on her doorstep.
“It’s brilliant to have a game up there again,” she added.
“It makes such a difference to our friends and family who want to come and watch us. It’s nice to have a game where it won’t take them hours and hours to get there.
“It’s nice for all the fans as well. We get great support from all over the country, but I know the crowd at the Riverside will be that bit extra special.”
You can read more from Mead in Saturday’s official matchday programme.
