Sunderland’s Top Striker

Beth Mead is a footballer for Sunderland AFC ladies team. The star striker was born in Whitby and is 18 years old. She started playing football at the age of six for a football team in Middlesbrough called California girls. At the age of 10 Beth progressed on to play for Middlesbrough Centre of Excellence and played for them up until the age of 16.

Beth achieved the star performer award of the 2012/13 FA Women’s Premier League campaign and bagged 30 goals. Over her two seasons at Sunderland Beth has scored 59 goals and has secured the division’s top scorer for the second consecutive year running. Beth Mead has represented England at under 15, 17, 19 and 23 level helping her gain a lot of international experience. Beth is known to be powerful and pacey and have a great eye for goal., a huge inspiration to many footballers and not just females.

Which footballer inspired you grown up? What was it that inspired you?

The footballer that inspired me is Wayne Rooney. I have always been a Manchester United fan and I watched him play a lot when he was a young, fearless player with an eye for goal and that’s what I aspired to be like.

What is your biggest achievement in your career so far?

I’d say representing my country at U20 level in the World Cup is my biggest achievement so far.

What is your biggest achievement in your career so far?

I’d have to say scoring a goal in the World Cup against Mexico. It is the best goal I’ve scored so far in my career.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My Mum and Dad, they have been with me all the way, for every goal, for every decision and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

What club did you start off at?

I started at a little club called California Girls which was based in Middlesbrough, I then moved to Middlesbrough Centre Of Excellence when I was 10 and stayed there until I was 16.

What age did you start playing football?

I was 6 when I first ever started playing and loved it from the start!

What is your most memorable international experience?

I would have to say that it is the same as my most memorable experience, scoring my goal in the World Cup against Mexico.

What would you say were your strengths and weaknesses on a football pitch?

I like to think a strength of mine would be scoring, a weakness would be that I’m a perfectionist and if I make silly mistakes I will be hard on myself.

What football club do you support?

I’m a Manchester United fan, all of our family support them.

Are you good at any other sports apart from football?

I have been to county trials for hockey where I was selected but it clashed with football so football won every day of the week. I used to be a bit of an all-rounder, I did cross country, athletics and long jump and I also played a bit of netball.

Is playing football professionally what you’ve wanted to do as a career since you were younger?

Yeah I think it’s every young footballer’s dream and that dream could become a reality eventually fingers crossed.

Have you had any major injuries that have affected your career?

I wouldn’t say major but I have pulled both my hamstrings when I was younger but touch wood I’m ok at the moment.

What do you like to do outside of football?

I train outside of football but when I’m not at football I just like to chill out and spend time with my friends and family.

What is the best game that you have played in?

I couldn’t single out any game. I love every game that I play in except if we lose!

Have you always been a striker throughout your career or have you played in different positions for different clubs?

No, striker has always been my number one position from my first game. I maybe had a few spells in midfield as a winger but I have always been a striker.

What team in the super league do you find most challenging to play against?

I haven’t played a lot of them before but I think Chelsea would be a very hard team to play against because they have a lot of experienced and talented players.

How many times a week do you train?

With the club twice a week and I do my own training Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

What is your job?

I’m a full time student at University but I do work in a school teaching PE one day a week.

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