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If there is any residual frustration around her career, it seems solely directed towards a media at the time, who she felt constantly overlooked her and her teammates’ achievements and weren’t interested in promoting the sport.

“During the Euros [last year], people were talking about how much the women’s game had improved as if to justify people’s interest. Of course it’s better now… because it’s professional. For example, Jill Scott will be that split second quicker because she’s training every day. The improvement on the pitch has gone up 5-10 per cent, but off the field everything has improved 100 per cent.

“We never do that about the men’s game. Surely Harry Kane is so much better and fitter and stronger than Jimmy Greaves was, but you don’t dismiss the World Cupwinning team in 1966. In women’s football there just isn’t that respect for the past.”

There is, however, a flash of competitiveness when she compares the Lionesses’ 2009 vintage to last year’s Euro-winning crop. “You do wonder what would happen if our team from 2009 played the current Lionesses. I think we would be on a par, even though we weren’t professional. Some of the players we had and what we achieved… if we were professional, you think, ‘What could our ceiling have been?’”

One of the names she cites is the legendary Kelly Smith. “Kelly was just unbelievable. Through my time she was the best. But even if she played now, she’d be the best player in England – no contest.”

TALK NATURALLY DRIFTS on to the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off on 20 July in Australia and New Zealand, with the Lionesses getting under way against Haiti two days later. England are missing key figures, with Leah Williamson and Beth Mead sidelined, while senior players Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright will still be working their way back to full fitness after recently recovering from injuries.

“A few months ago, if you’d asked me who would win the World Cup, I would’ve said England. I was that confident they could do it. I think Leah and Beth are huge losses. Equally, when you have big players out, the rest of the team step in and say, ‘I’m going to fill that role.’ But you’ve got to believe. You’ve got to have hope. The mindset that’s instilled over the last few years means they’re still set up to do well.”

It’s anyone’s guess who will go on to write a chapter in the ever-expanding history book of women’s football. What is for sure, though, is that the game we enjoy today would not be possible without the unwavering efforts of Faye White and her teammates. “We just kept banging on the door,” she says. At last, it seems, that door is finally open.

OUR TRIBUTE TO THE BEST BETS & WINNERS

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY

INVESTED £50 HEINZ

SELECTION Haddex Des Obeaux @ 11/8

13:15 Warwick WON

Gailia Des Liteaux @ 3/1

13:50 Warwick WON Angels Breath @ 11/2

14:05 Kempton PU Grey Dawning @ 4/1

14:25 Warwick WON Iwilldoit @ 10/1

15:00 Warwick WON

Glimpse Of Gala @ 2/1

15:35 Warwick WON

RETURNED £241,681

TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY

INVESTED £100

SELECTION Brighton 1-0 @ 4/1 vs Stoke Derby 2-0 @ 5/1 vs Cheltenham Man City 3-0 @ 11/2 vs Bristol City

RETURNED £19,400

SATURDAY 11 MARCH

INVESTED £100 E/W TRIXIE

SELECTION Just A Spark @ 4/1

12:55 Wolverhampton WON Crambo @ 13/2

13:50 Sandown WON Iceo @ 5/1

14:25 Sandown WON

RETURNED £40,060

SATURDAY 11 MARCH

INVESTED £35 TRIXIE

SELECTION Berkshire Shadow @ 4/1

14:40 Wolverhampton WON

Duke Of Oxford @ 17/2

18:00 Chelmsford WON

Taskheer @ 13/2

20:30 Chelmsford WON

RETURNED £17,937

Congratulations on some fantastic picks, you all know who you are.

FRIDAY 24 MARCH

INVESTED £95.23 TRIXIE

SELECTION The Carpenter @ 11/10

13:30 Newbury – WON Russian Ruler @ 7/2

14:40 Newbury – WON On The Blind Side @ 28/1

15:10 Newbury – WON RETURNED £50,225

SUNDAY 9 APRIL

INVESTED £5,000

SELECTION Jon Rahm @ 9/1 The Masters RETURNED £50,000

FRIDAY 14 APRIL INVESTED £2,000

SELECTION Bill Baxter @ 20/1

16:05 Aintree RETURNED £42,000

SATURDAY 15 APRIL

INVESTED £100 E/W SUPER YANKEE

SELECTION West Balboa @ 5/1

14:25 Aintree WON Kateira @ 12/1

15:00 Aintree 2ND

Flooring Porter @ 9/2

15:35 Aintree 3RD

Bowtogreatness @ 12/1

16:15 Aintree 2ND

Gaillard Du Mesnil @ 10/1

17:15 Aintree 3RD RETURNED £65,902

FRIDAY 19 MAY

INVESTED £50 E/W

SELECTION Zoulu Chief @ 150/1

14:40 Newbury RETURNED £9,100

SUNDAY 4 JUNE

INVESTED £250 EW

SELECTION Tom McKibbin @ 100/1

Porsche European Masters RETURNED £30,500