A quick chat with Faye White, captain of the women’s England squad

‘I wish people would take more notice of women’s football’

(Getty Images)

Captain of the women’s football England squad Faye White spoke to The Independent Online ahead of next Thursday’s World Cup 2011 qualifier against Turkey.

The 32-year-old footballer, who plays for Arsenal in the league, led the England squad to the finals of Euro 2009 and the World Cup quarter finals in 2007. Her team, which is currently top of its group, needs three more points to get through to the playoffs for the World Cup in Germany next year.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be... relaxing during my bit of time off work after training this morning.

A phrase I use far too often... is ‘if I’m being honest.’ I say that a lot.

I wish people would take more notice of... women’s football. And other female sports, of course.

The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was... getting a call up for England when I was younger. When I wasn’t even playing in the top league!

The most surprising thing about me is... that I’m a girl and I like watching football on telly. And I don’t like going shopping that much.

I'm good at... apart from football? Golf.

But I'm very bad at... Cooking. No, scrap that. I’m alright at cooking. Hmmm, what am I very bad at? Being sensitive. [Laughs] Sometimes I get it horribly wrong.

The ideal night out is... going to see a movie, I’m afraid. With my boyfriend. I’m quite happy doing that. That or a nice meal out.

In moments of weakness I... tend to just bash on anyway. And go foolhardily into it.

My view about Facebook and Twitter is... tried it initially, but don’t the time to keep going with it.

The best age to be is... 21.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is... don’t give up. Believe in yourself. And work hard.