Lioness' England debut inspires pupils

Laura Blindkilde Brown made her senior England debut at the weekend

Students at England Lioness Laura Blindkilde Brown's former school said her England debut was inspirational and encouraged them to pursue a career in football.

The footballer studied at Tudor Grange Academy before going on to play for Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Pupils at the school in Worcester said watching her play against Switzerland on Saturday filled them with pride.

"I think it's really impressive how she can start from somewhere like this and be able to get to the point of playing for the Lionesses. I just think that's amazing," said 14-year-old Ellie.

"It is impressive she's played for the Lionesses and Man City and it's something to be very proud of."

Bethany Merriman remembered teaching a young Laura Blindkilde Brown

Ellie said Laura's success and the support she was getting from school staff made her want to play professional football.

"We've got PE teachers who want girl's football to progress and they do such a good job getting fixtures for us all the time and keep us playing to get us to the same level as the boys, because that's what we deserve," she said.

Blindkilde Brown joined City from Aston Villa in January after being bought for £200,000 after she had made more than 50 senior appearances for her former club before she turned 21.

She made her senior England debut in the Lionesses' 1-0 win over Switzerland.

Maya, 15, said watching her play was "inspiring to everyone who comes here"

"To know that she played here and she would have played for a school team as well, you feel like you're following her footsteps," she said.

"It's great for her to reach the highest level of football, playing for her country, especially at such a young age."

Teacher Bethany Merriman said she remembered that when she was younger at the school, Blindkilde Brown always showed determination and talent on the pitch.

"At the time, we didn't have a lot of girl's football here so she was playing with the boys, and held her own," she said.

"Her technical ability, even at that age, just shone on the pitch.

"It's a massive dream for a lot of them.

"Laura doing it shows that they're no different, they could do that if they have that same work ethic and that same commitment to school and training."