Women's Senior
Women's Senior

England's Grace Fisk reacts to first call-up and high praise from Phil Neville

Friday 06 Mar 2020
Grace Fisk received her first call-up to the senior team as part of Phil Neville's SheBelieves Cup squad

When Phil Neville revealed his refreshed squad for the SheBelieves Cup, there was one name in particular that people wanted to know more about - Grace Fisk.

The 22-year-old has attracted a lot of attention since being handed her first call-up and could go on to make her debut at the competition as England prepare to play Spain in their final games.

And Fisk came in for some very high praise from her new national team coach when he was quizzed on the defender with Neville claiming to have seen 'composure, confidence and courage' in Fisk. 

"Throughout the last five or six years people have always said that I look calm and collected on the ball but I it's funny because I definitely don't feel like that," said Fisk. 

"I do think I'm strong on the ball so that works in my favour but usually when Phil chats to me it's very soon after a game so I just say it how it is. 

"Especially when you're a defender, you have to take some responsibility so I think that is fair enough."

Fisk (centre) training out in Orlando with her new team-mates

The young defender had a brief but anxious wait to find out that she was in the squad after missing Neville's initial list while watching TV with her parents. 

But as soon as she saw the message flash up on her screen she was straight up to her bedroom to receive the good news. 

"I actually missed Phil's call at first because I was watching TV with my parents at home and then I looked down and saw 'missed call - Phil Neville' on my screen," she said. 

"He usually texts me so I thought it was unusual so I went and sat in my room and waited for the call back - I don't think I said much but it was obviously an amazing feeling. 

"I've been through the youth system so I can already tell the difference and all the girls have been really encouraging and welcoming." 

Although it's her first official call-up to the squad Fisk trained with the senior squad for a few days prior to the World Cup last year - clearly impressing Neville in the process. 

Now, having moved back to home soil from America to play for West Ham in January, she has the golden opportunity to become a permanent fixture in Neville's future plans. 

"I was very shy and quiet when I trained with the squad last time and I'm not completely out of my shell yet this time either," she added. 

"I was flicking through my phone the other day and looking at the photos I took from the stands - now I am sitting next to the players at dinner so that is amazing.

"I'm just listening and soaking up what I can so that has been very cool because I look up to these players and want to be where they have got to one day."

By Tom Dean