With Ellen White just one game away from earning her 50th England cap, it was a fitting moment to look back on her very first.
On 25 March 2010, White, then of Leeds Carnegie, came off the bench to replace Dunia Susi in England’s 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Austria at Loftus Road – and it was the debutant who notched the final goal on 84 minutes.
She said: “I saw the keeper coming out and I went left foot and kind of dinked it over the goalie. That was the only way I could probably have scored.
“It was a special moment to score on my debut.”
White had already represented her country at Under-23, Under-19 and Under-17 level and got the call for the senior team aged 20.
She went on to score at the 2011 World Cup in Germany and also featured at the 2013 Euros in Sweden.
And it all started for her in west London.
White said: “I don’t think I [have] ever warmed up as quickly as I did for [that] game because I was so nervous. It was scary to go on.
“It’s definitely a night to remember. Making your debut for England seniors is something you dream of as a kid.
“It was something that I’ll never forget, and to score; I never thought about that, so it was a special moment.”
The Notts County forward, who has just returned to the Three Lions fold following a year-long lay-off, could bring up her half century against China on Thursday (7.30pm kick-off).
It will be England’s final home game before they fly to Canada for the World Cup, where they have been drawn alongside France, Colombia and Mexico.
Tickets for the China match are on sale now, priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £10 and group booking discounts apply.
Tickets are available via www.MCFC.co.uk/Tickets or in person at the Manchester City box office at Etihad Stadium.
