Ellie captains England girls to cup success

Centre-half Ellie, 13, who lives in Littlehampton, was appointed captain and guided her team to wins over Wales, Republic of Ireland and Scotland in the competition.

The tournament, which took place in Wales, was dominated by England and they cruised to the title without conceding a goal, with Ellie instrumental in those clean sheets kept across all three matches.

Speaking on becoming Bob Docherty champions with the England Schools’ side, Ellie said: “It was really nice to skipper the team and win the competition.

“I found out I was going to be captain at a Spanish training camp back in February.

“It was a real honour to captain my country and then to win the tournament was also great.

“We prepared for the competition well and to win without conceding a goal was great for the whole team.”

With the tournament taking place in Wales, England players and staff stayed in hotels throughout the competition.

Ellie, along with her team-mates, had family members staying with them as well and she believes that was a great help.

She added: “I had some of my family stay with me for the tournament which was nice.

“To win the tournament with family watching me and the team was great.”

Ellie’s attention will now revert back to her club team, which is Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 13-year-old trains with Albion’s youth girls’ side and wants to one day break into the women’s first-team.

Ellie began her career playing for Rustington Otters’ boys’ youth team before being picked up by Albion.

Now the centre-half wants to keep impressing for her club side.

She said: “We are doing quite well in the league and I’m just hoping to keep doing my best for the team.

“The ladies’ team are doing really well this season and that is my aim to make it with them one day.”

Ellie, who is now in her second season with Brighton, trains at the club’s impressive training facility in Lancing.

She feels that gives all of the young girls and first-team players a great chance to further develop.

Ellie added: “It’s a great facility and one we all enjoy training at.

“Ourselves, the men and youth teams all train there and it’s very nice.”

Ellie is hoping good club performances will see her receive yet another international call-up and said: “I made my international debut in the friendly against Ireland in March.

“Now having played in that and then skippering the team in Wales, I’d love to play for them once again.

“The ultimate aim is to one day represent the ladies’ national team and do well for them. I just need to keep working hard now.”

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