After scoring the winner in a tight London derby against West Ham, Spurs captain Beth England spoke to The Halfway Line.
Surrounded by a cluster of journalists with various recording devices Beth England smiled. She stood tall and proud with her rainbow armband worn proudly still on her arm. Poised, she stood ready to answer the first question.
Skipper England excited by ‘fresh start’
The last time Tottenham Hotspur won a match in the Barclays Women’s Super League the date was January 2025. England ensured that Spurs had that winning feeling again on Sunday as with just minutes remaining their taliswomanic striker stepped up and fired home from the penalty spot. The end of that winless streak was put to England.
“To be honest, even I wasn’t aware it was that long.” England pondered that for a moment.
“[The winless run} is, quite frankly, shocking and below our standard of what we expect from the team. But fresh start, first game, three points on the board.
“It didn’t matter how we won, whether it’s pretty or ugly or down to a penalty. I’m very proud of the team today.”
‘We care and we’re here to fight’ England lays down the gauntlet
After finishing in the top half a couple of seasons ago, finishing second last in 2024/25 was far from their aim. The Halfway Line asked England what her and the clubs aims are for this season.
“Obviously, like, say we’re realistic where we are” England humbly admitted.
“We know last season was beyond below par for us. We want to win more games, keep more clean sheets, and show that we are a team that can compete right up to the top.
“We know some games are going to be more challenging than others, but we take each game as it comes. And I just want us to be a much happier team this season in terms of, I know results can’t always go your way, but we want to show the fans that the type of football that we’re playing is good football.
“That we care and that we’re here to fight. We’re not here to get rolled over and accept easy defeats, because that’s not what we want. I just want to make sure everyone at this football club knows that we’re out here fighting every day.”
‘I mean Kit, I could be hear all day speaking about Kit’ smiles England
One particularly heart warming moment in the afternoon came when Spurs introduced Kit Graham from the bench. Graham last played a competitive match some 574 days ago after multiple injuries and a gruelling rehabilitation process. Graham’s captain waxed lyrical about her.
“I mean Kit, I could be here all day speaking about Kit. She’s one of my favourite people in the team” England smiled with fondness, clearly searching for a description that would do her team mate justice.
“I think that girl is the most selfless, hard working, [and] humble individuals you’ll possibly ever meet. And to go through what she’s been through a second time is, I can only imagine, is heart breaking for anyone.
“But she is the type of character that goes about her business quietly, she got on with it. She changed the game for us [today]. All the subs did. I’d like to say that I think we needed that spark of energy and all the subs brought that.
“For Kit I said it before, this is going to be the season where she’s going to shine and show her true qualities.
She’s got a wonderful left foot, so the day she scores that first goal, you watch me riot! I couldn’t be more proud and happy for the girl coming on today.”
‘People care about women’s sport, people care about women’s football’
England was reflective after full time about how far the women’s game has come in this country and praised West Ham’s growth.
“I’ve been in this league since I was 16, I’m 31 years old now” England candidly admitted.
“I have seen a lot of things in my time. Look at the amount of records we’ve broken in one week in transfers. That just shows that people care about women’s sport. People care about women’s football.
“There’s more seats that we’re getting in the sands. Every team is getting stronger every year, and I think the gap is tightening. I think West Ham have built really well. I thought today they showed signs of brilliance [today].
“Their counter attacking can be threatening to a lot of teams, so credit to them. But luckily for us, we came out on top today. But I think overall, you’re seeing a lot more teams producing much better performances.”
England and Tottenham Hotspur continue their Barclays Women’s Super League campaign with a trip to Everton next weekend.
