Faye White EXCLUSIVE: England Women’s side can catapult the game to new heights by winning the World Cup

Faye White EXCLUSIVE: England Women’s side can catapult the game to new heights by winning the World Cup
England fans will probably remember 1996 as the year the men came so close to European Championship glory.Its also the year one of the most iconic players of the womens game, Faye White, began her career as a footballer.getty7

Faye White is one of the most recognisable figures in the women’s game

The world was a different place in 1996: the Gallagher brothers were friends, the internet was barely a thing and womens football was still in its infancy.White, the Arsenal and Lionesses legend, never got to experience the raucous scenes of Euro 96 during a glittering career which saw her win nine FA Womens Cups and make 90 appearances for her country.But now, times are changing. We stayed up in our millions to watch the Lionesses come third at the 2015 Womens World Cup in Canada. The following season, attendances in the Womens Super League grew by 50 per cent, and it didnt stop there.Englands semi-final against the Netherlands at Euro 2017 drew the biggest ever audience for a womens football match in the UK, peaking at more than four million viewers.And ahead of the 2019 Womens World Cup, which begins tonight when hosts France face South Korea, there is a genuine excitement for perhaps the first time in this country.William Hill7

Faye White (right) made 300 appearances for Arsenal Ladies

Speaking at a William Hill pre-World Cup event, White told talkSPORT: Has there ever been this buzz? No!The media coverage for this World Cup is above and beyond anything. Each time we have thought its getting bigger and bigger. The last World Cup, nearly two million people were watching it at midnight.Its on another level and that will only motivate the girls. Yes itll raise expectation, but they have those expectations themselves anyway. If anything, itll give them that confidence that theyre making a change now.getty7

The nation expects the women to do something special at this World Cup

Itll give them more pride than theyve ever felt playing in an England shirt.The Lionesses, fresh from their triumph in the SheBelieves Cup, are genuine contenders to become world champions for the first time in history.Ahead of their opener against Scotland on Sunday, Phil Nevilles team enter the tournament as third favourites, behind the USA and France.getty7

Steph Houghton and co. have a genuine chance to make history in France

But White, England Women’s longest serving captain, knows better than anybody that the Lionesses history at major tournaments, much like the mens team, is littered with heartbreak and disappointment.The 41-year-old captained her country at two European Championships and two World Cups and has the scars to prove it.In 2007, White played on with a broken nose for the final ten minutes of Englands quarter-final defeat to the USA, who the Lionesses are still yet to beat in a competitive match.

Women's World Cup on talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of the Women's World Cup! Here's what's coming up this weekend...

• France vs South Korea (Friday, 8pm) talkSPORT
• England vs Scotland (Sunday, 5pm) talkSPORT

At Euro 2009, she led the women all the way to the final, only to be beaten by Germany.And it was White who missed the all-important fifth penalty against France at the 2011 World Cup, as the Lionesses went crashing out in the quarter-finals.But the former centre-back believes the pain of the past will make the current team stronger and now could be the perfect time for them to win it.getty7

White blazed her penalty over the bar in the shootout against France in 2011

getty7

White was left crestfallen at the World Cup in Germany

I think they have a great chance of going all the way. Theyve had that experience of going so close. Yes we need a bit of fortune in terms of results as you always do, White added.I think weve seen a progressive increase in media coverage over the years and certainly since 2009 when we got to the Euro final.Each tournament has shown a rise and there is a feel-good feeling around the game and that results in increased attendances.getty7

Phil Neville has already guided the Lionesses to glory in the SheBelieves Cup

The big thing is if we win it, it would go to a completely different level. I do believe now is the time.It would be a perfect time to catapult it to bigger than its ever been.The Lionesses are 7/1 with William Hill to win theWomensWorldCup.Listen to every England game live on talkSPORT – and tune in for France vs South Korea tonight at 8pm.

---

Get YouTube without the ads. Find out why Close. Liverpool vs Porto Live Streming Jops299. Loading Unsubscribe from Jops299? Cancel Unsubscribe. Chat is disabled for this live stream.
Liverpool TV Schedules, Fixtures, Results, News, Squad

---

While the Premier League's best players soak up end-of-season adulation from media and peers alike, a slew of also-rans race home to fudge the details of their respective report cards before mum
Premier League records and statistics - Wikipedia

---

Referee standards 'will get worse' according to former senior match official. The Premier League has seen a number of highly controversial decisions already this season. EXCLUSIVE.
Referee standards 'will get worse' according to former senior
footballnote.com/referee-standards-will-get-worse-according-to-former-senior-match-official/
A former senior referee has warned the standard of officiating will decrease in the next ten years. The prediction comes after a number of controversial decisions, such as Charlie Austin and Sadio Mane's recent disallowed goals and Alexandre Lacazette's handball assist in Premier League games at St Mary's, The Emirates and Selhurst Park respectively.
FIFA's tech 'experiments' drag soccer into the modern age

---

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial reveals why he signed new 5-year-deal with the club Description: French forward Anthony Martial has signed a new contract with the club keeping him at Old Trafford until 2024. Here's why he committed his future with United.

---

Breaking news headlines about Christian Eriksen, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news
Striker a 'few hours' from signing Chelsea contract, confirms

---

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Mario Lemina of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on August 19, 2017 in
PREVIEW: Southampton vs. West Ham 2017: Start time, team news

---

Crystal Palace troll Newcastle Jets as new kit has striking The Australian side have launched their new kit but the resemblance has not escaped the notice of some on Twitter. By Josh Fordham. There is something distinctly familiar about Australian side Newcastle Jets ' new kit . The A - League outfit tweeted a picture of their new strip that
~ Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Newcastle United: Late drama at

---

Manchester United news: How Solskjaer could miss out on

---

Check out the August/December issue of TheNewGenPaper! Check out the August/December issue of TheNewGenPaper! Issuu company logo. Close.

---

Jose Mourinho says Manchester United 'problems' still exist, asked if Paul Pogba is responsible for Red Devils' failures Jose Mourinho has discussed Manchester United's ongoing struggles and claimed the club still have the same 'problems' they had while he was in the Old talkSPORT 1 week ago
Jose: United's problems 'still there' - Ghanasoccernet News

---

David Luiz has revealed that not one Chelsea player has complained about coach Maurizio Sarri's tactics during crisis talks this season and believes the Italian has a great future at Stamford

---

Arsenal have reportedly started their transfer dealings for the season ahead, with a €12 million bid placed for Gremio defender Walter Kannemann. Italian publication Calciomercato have
Arsenal 'make £10.5m transfer bid' for Gremio defender Walter

---

Southampton forward Charlie Austin has been charged by the Football Association for making a gesture deemed 'abusive and/or insulting' during last week's defeat by Manchester City. The
Charlie Austin: Saints striker charged by FA over 'abusive

---