Ellen White: The making of Lionesses top scorer & history maker



As Ellen White left the Keepmoat Stadium with her team-mates, history was being re-written.

She is now England's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals, two more than Kelly Smith, who was recently elected to the Hall of Fame.

White's famous celebration of circling her fingers around her eyes is an example of what the next generation of players will do.

She was so prolific that her dad tried to bet on her becoming an England international.

Jon White said it was in the blood.

I went to a betting shop when she was 10 years old and tried to place a bet on her playing for England one day, but they wouldn't take it.

I remember thinking if only when she got her first cap.

White is described as hard-working and a natural goal scorer on the pitch.

"She's probably never even thought about breaking this record, that's the sort of character she is," says best friend and England and Manchester City team-mate.

She's one of the best friends you could have and she's down to earth.

Hope Powell is a former England manager. She has always had a passion for being the best she can be and she scores goals. She's humble with it, that's a key quality when it comes to Ellen.

White's trademark 'goggles' celebration is due to her admiration of Anthony Modeste.

I always thought she would make it.

White's football career began before she made her professional debut. She was never destined for anything other than her dad and grandad running a soccer centre and playing professional football.

White showed her attacking prowess when she was five years old. She scored more than 100 goals in a season while playing for Aylesbury Town.

Jon says that he felt that she would make it to the top.

She was the best player.

After impressing at a tournament, she was noticed by the club and played between the ages of eight and 16.

There was more success to come after three consecutive seasons as the top scorer for the Blues.

Ellen White is a player for England and Steph Houghton is a player for Manchester City.

She scored her first international goal against Austria in 2010 and has gone on to score 101 times in her international career.

She scored on her debut. Powell handed White her Lionesses bow. She's been doing it ever since she was in the squad.

Her enthusiasm to play football is the thing I remember most. She wanted to play and score goals. She worked hard to be the best she could be.

She's always been committed to being one of the best. She's earned the right to be in that position. Hard work, dedication, resilience and the right attitude are what makes that luck.

The star who hates the spotlight.

The fact that White has suffered two serious knee injuries that have kept her out of the game for the best part of two years is a testament to Powell's dedication and resilience.

White has played in three World Cups, including the historic bronze-medal finish in 2015, and was the top scorer in 2019. She helped guide England to the SheBelieves Cup.

"If you look back at all the big games that she's played in for club and country, when we need her, she steps up and scores the big goals," says Houghton, who has captained England since 2004.

That's her mentality. She always comes out on top when challenged.

White's most memorable moment with the national team was a goal against Japan in the World Cup in 2011; she previously identified it as her favourite.

Jon says that England's record-breaker hates the spotlight and remains grounded on and off the pitch.

She wants to be a part of a successful team and win. She doesn't want anything that comes with being a professional sportswoman. I don't know if she knows how good she is.

White's husband says she never tries to be anyone or do anything that isn't her. "Any impression people get is just her."

A girl did Ellen's celebration after scoring against us.

White was awarded the Freedom of Aylesbury in 2016 for her on-field exploits.

She continues to inspire the next generation. Youngsters in her hometown mimic her celebration on the pitches where she once excelled.

Jon says that there are young girls copying his granddaughter all the time. A few weeks ago, a girl scored against us and ran off doing Ellen's trademark celebration. It was great. Even though she scored against us, I loved it.

She doesn't realize how popular she is and how important she is to the younger generation.

She's not just a role model for young boys and girls around the world, but for her team-mates too.

White was awarded the freedom of a town.

White has dedicated her life to being the best.

Powell says that she is where she is.

She manages the highs and lows so well, she works hard, has never cut corners, and continues to tick every box that allows her to be so prolific.

Ellen White.

46 - Kelly Smith.

Kerry Davis was 44.

Karen Walker and Fara Williams are in this picture.

Hope Powell.

The person is Eni Aluko.

Karen Carney.

The person is Gillian Coultard.

Marieanne Spacey died.

White's closest friends describe her as passionate, dedicated, loving and loyal.

"That's who she is, that's who she is," says Houghton. She is the perfect friend and team-mate and deserves everything that comes her way.

She's proven to be one of the best strikers in the world and the best in England's history.

Husband says she's incredible. She's had some big highs and big lows over the years, but her dedication and resilience to keep going, keep improving and keep adapting is credit to her.

Jon says that she has always been passionate and dedicated. She's given up her entire life for football. It's been her passion since day one and that hasn't changed.

White has scored 48 goals in 101 appearances for England.