Football Daily - Women's Football Weekly: Earps, Corsie & glory for the Gunners

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

Ellen White and Ben Haines are at St Georges Park and react to the shock announcement that England goalkeeper Mary Earps is retiring from international football. Ellen shares her view on why now but they also reflect on what Mary did for the women’s game and its profile, particularly for goalkeepers. Niamh Charles and Keira Walsh share their memories of playing with Mary and her impact off the pitch. They also look ahead to England’s next Nations League games against Portugal and Spain as the Euros approaches. Ellen and Ben also talk Arsenal winning the Champions League and how Renee Slegers masterminded that huge victory over Barcelona. Plus Jen Beattie has caught up with her former teammate and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie who has announced her retirement from football this week. Rachel won 154 caps for Scotland and led her country out at their first ever World Cup in 2019 and is part of the Scotland camp for their next Nations League fixtures against Austria and the Netherlands.00:20 Intro 01:36 Mary Earps retires from England 04:10 Earps statement 10:28 Arsenal win the Champions League! 15:50 How did Arsenal do it? 20:35 Niamh Charles 25:00 Keira Walsh 32:30 Rachel Corsie with JenBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries next weekend: Wed 2000 Real Betis v Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League Final Fri 1945 England v Portugal in the UEFA Women’s Nations League Sat 2000 PSG v Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League Final

BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts. On the Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly with Ben Haynes, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. Welcome to St George's Park. We're back inside the England campus. They prepare for Nations League matches against Portugal and against Spain but just before we started this episode we wanted to on behalf of all of us here at the Football Daily send our love to everyone in Liverpool after the awful scenes yesterday at the Liverpool Trophy Parade and we want to let everyone who is impacted know on

what should have been a day of celebration that you are very much in our thoughts. Back here at St. George's Park I'm joined as always by England's record goal scorer Ellen White. How are you Ellen? I'm very good thank you. How are you Ben? Yeah really good. Listen we're both on our way. We've jumped in our cars getting ready to come and soak it up here as we always do in the England games and as always just to set the scene for you there are players scattered around everywhere and I think what we can call fuchsia puffer jackets at the moment. I love the

new gear. New clover. Do you know what it's like fresh something different start of a new as well it is striking yeah I love that word. Thanks so much start of a new era. New era or like a new tournament coming up I feel like you know something's happening when the new strip comes out. That is always a very good sign. And then we're in the car this morning and then suddenly we're getting phone calls left, right and centre because we're being told that it's the end of another era. Crazy. Mary Earps deciding today,

we're, I mean, the announcements today, but we're a couple of days out from games, we're five weeks out from the Euros that she's going to call it time on her international career. Yeah, that came out of left field didn't it? I don't think any of us saw that coming. Yeah, just in shock really. Like you say, it's so close to the Euros. I don't really know what to say, it's so close to the Euros. I don't really know what to say because it is just, yeah, it's just crazy. Just the timing really. Yeah, it's just surprising with the timing

and how close it is to the Euros. We are gonna hear from Jen Beatty a little bit later on. She's been catching up with Rachel Corsi, who also announced her international retirement this week. And I think for Rachel we're saying a big congratulations on what has been a wonderful career as well. Yeah amazing, congratulations to her and yeah I totally understand kind of the reasoning for it and she's had a wonderful career both internationally with Scotland but also at

club football as well. I played with her a little bit at Notts County and yeah she's such a joy, she's such a lovely human being, a great person and a great defender as well so yeah it was you know an honour for me to play alongside her but yeah she should be really proud of what she achieved. Yeah absolutely wonderful character we're gonna hear from her a little bit later on but let's just nip back in on that news that Mary Earps has retired from international football not retired from all football, just the international game and I think a lot of people will look at her statement and they'll look at the quotes that have come out around this announcement and their mind will naturally jump

to the idea of how difficult Mary Earps might have found it playing a number two role potentially. Yeah, yeah I think you know there's a lot of narratives that can come out of her statement I don't think she's definitively kind of said the reasoning for her retirement from international football you know she said that you know that will come all hopefully all in due course you know as to as to why but yeah there is a lot of narratives about potentially being a number two. She's been England's number one and the best goalie in the world for a number of years now so

yeah it's just shocking and obviously we don't want to make too many assumptions right now do we because we're not 100% sure as to exactly why she has announced her retirement. But obviously, you know, we'll leave that for her to kind of say exactly why. Okay, so let me give you a few lines from the statement because I think this is a really interesting statement. I think the key section of it is, My journey has never been the simplest and so in true Mary fashion, this isn't a simple goodbye. Right before a major tournament, nonetheless, I know this is the right decision. There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details

of which aren't important right now, but what it boils down to is it's now the right moment for me to step aside. This is a new era and a new England team, and I'm looking forward to watching them this summer. Now, again, I definitely, definitely don't want to put words into Mary's mouth, but what she's done there is kind of opened up quite a big discourse, I would say. Yeah, yeah, 100%. And yeah, it leaves it quite open for a lot of people to make different assumptions as to why different narratives. The one thing that I'd pull out of that is that she's made the decision on her own terms. You know, she's come to that decision and you know, she believes that's the right thing for her and you know, you've got to

give her credit for that, that she's done that for her, you know, for herself. But it's just, it's so challenging. It's such a... To have won what she's had with England, to have achieved what she's had with England and to say goodbye to her international career is sad. It's really sad. Well, because I imagine you obsessed over this and when you thought about retiring, it was going gonna be retiring from everything yeah and not a case of retiring from international football I mean Mary's 32 she's a I think she's a March baby so she's only just 32 and we've known goalkeepers that have played for England or have had careers that span well into

sort of late into her 30s. Yeah yeah yeah yeah you know we've seen goalies go into like you say late 30s it's such a different position know, we've seen goalies go into, like you say, late thirties. It's such a different position, isn't it? It's hard to go into her brain and know exactly why, the reasoning why. Yeah, for me, obviously, you know, I took a lot of time to think about, you know, what I wanted moving forward.

And I knew that after the Ures, that was when I wanted to make that decision to retire from all football, like you said for her to then continue with club football she obviously wants to continue playing she's got obviously got other things that she wants to challenge for and try and achieve in in her career in a football career so yeah I don't know it's it's so hard because I'm just like there's so many things going around in my head as to why it would just be obviously at the same time does she have to come out and say why but then there's

going to be so many narratives as to why so it's like you don't want you don't want the narrative that isn't the narrative to be swimming around and everyone kind of feeding off that at the same time. Yeah I was just thinking as you were saying that if you're part of the audience that's listening to this the thing that will be coming to people's minds is why now? Why now? Five weeks before a major tournament but I think this is the difficult thing is that it's impossible to know and unless Mary says this is why I'm doing it now it's going to be impossible for people to know and I guess It's going to be impossible for people to know and I guess my question would be What happens for the team? What do they do? Do they sit there and sort of?

Think about what could it be do you think maybe they now just have to go listen We just got a focus. I mean Serena Vigman's made that very clear. She said look We've got to look ahead straight towards the euros now. What would it be like for the team? She's been a huge part of the team for a number of years now, huge character, a leader in the team, so she's gonna be a big loss. I'm sure she would have come in and spoken to the players, and obviously maybe said her reasons to the players, but I think it's a strange time for them,

because now they haven't got one of their main goalkeepers, who they've known for so long to have a huge impact not going with them to the euros and completely retiring altogether but on the other hand it's football and you've got to move on at the same time for them it's a huge tournament and they have to look forward they can't be looking back and thinking oh what could have been blah blah blah they've got to go and look to try and win and retain the Euros. And that's the same for Serena. And also, like,

there'll be time to appreciate what Mary's done because she's done so much for football. Her legacy is unbelievable, not just for the Lionesses, but for women's football in general. And there'll be time to reflect on that and appreciate that. But I think for this team, they have to put one step forward now for the Euros. Well, you'd think now as well that there is a really clear line drawn and that Hannah Hampton becomes England's number one. Yeah, 100%. Well, she's England's number one.

That's no question about it. I think it does leave her to have a lot of pressure on her shoulders now because You know she has to be flawless it feels like now And I feel like Hannah's got that in her. She's got a hell of a lot of experience She's an unbelievable goalkeeper and she has to stand ten feet tall now and be like I'm England's number one and I am going to absolutely love and enjoy this Euros and Prove that I am the best goalkeeper. And I'm sure she won't mind us saying this but we did get a chance to briefly chat to her earlier on. She's had a magnificent season and probably if she'd thought about at the

beginning of the season the sorts of things that she would have liked to achieve she has ticked off so many things along the way. Absolutely. Obviously winning the treble with Chelsea, she's got the golden glove with Tullis Joyce. And now going into the Euro, she is England's number one. So what a phenomenal season for her. And you know, I've known her since she was 16 years old at Birmingham, where she was a young kid and she was just learning her trade then.

So now for me personally to see her thrive in and to see her become England's number one. I feel a lot of pride. I feel like so excited for her and I feel like she's ready to prove to the world that she is one of the best goalkeepers. It's so bizarre isn't it that we've sat here at St. George's Park and you think after the weekend that we've had that we're starting the pod talking about Mary Epps, but equally two games on the horizon to talk about as well very shortly.

But on top of that, we've had the chance to say hello to Beth Mead, to Chloe Kelly, to Alessia Rus, I can see Lottie Wabamoy over there, I saw Leah Williamson walking around earlier on, thinking these players haven't had a chance to come down from the fact that they've just won the Champions League. What an unbelievable achievement for Arsenal, beating Barcelona in Lisbon.

I can't even put into words how proud and how excited I was to, well I still am, to know that they are Champions League winners. I hugged Alessia and I jumped like Chloe and Beth and just... Beth Mead's voice is certainly been left somewhere near the Emirates. It's amazing. She's turned up with about, I'd say maybe 20% of her voice left. That's a decent amount. I was going to say about five.

Can you imagine you have to be squeaking all over the pitch in the next couple of games? It just shows the scenes and obviously the party. I think you've got to soak it in. Those memories and those type of things don't come around very often and I said to them, all of them, like you're Champions League winners, no one can ever take that away from you and I've never really felt as much pride really, probably watching obviously the Women's World Cup, but sitting and watching that team lift that trophy and do it in the manner that they did, I just felt so much pride for Arsenal and for my friends that play in that team as well.

It was just absolutely amazing. Arsenal turned up with a game plan assisted by the time they had to prepare, do you think? I think that massively helped them. I think some people may look at that and be like, oh, that's too much time. But I feel like they prepared so well. They had maybe a week of just normal training and then they went into obviously what Barca will do and their team tactics and their game plan which I think is great. I love how meticulous Reni Slagers is, you know, she's spoken to Emma Hayes who's faced Barcelona a number of times. Vic Akers, who is, he is the god of Arsenal ladies, you know, won so much with

them, obviously won the Champions League in 2007, had the 2007 squad come for a lunch. I just feel like everything was so meticulous, everyone knew their job, the clarity as well, it just all came together and was just like the perfect recipe for them and then you obviously need luck on the way as well but that team done something really special. There's a humility in that as well isn't there? The idea that you're going into a final and you don't know everything, that you can still, even with two weeks to go, you can still eke out these marginal gains by having the right conversations and by speaking to the right people. Exactly, 100%. And I feel like sometimes people look and be like that time's too long but that time is perfect. You can

tweak things like you say, you can have a little bit more rest, nutrition, tactics and also the togetherness of the group, the culture and knowing what came before you and what's driving you to win this trophy and I feel that all came together for this team and I feel like what what a four months for Renny Sleggers. It's just unbelievable to come in, obviously to be at Arsenal as an assistant coach, to take over from Jonas Eideveld, and then to be the head coach of Arsenal Ladies and take them to a Champions League final

and then win it, absolutely amazing. Can we touch on Chloe Kelly? Because again, she's another one that we've just seen and she is beaming. In fact, they all are to be fair, but smiling from ear to ear. We spoke about this a couple of weeks ago, but for her, that's just such a phenomenal story arc,

isn't it? Amazing. I'm so happy for her. Like you say, just to see her smiling. And you know, we all know the statement that she made when she was at Man City. You know, being unhappy, not getting playing minutes and then for Arsenal to take her on loan and for her just to build back to the player that we know Kelly Kelly can be, to see her smiling, to see her happy, to be

thriving in a system that works for her and brings out the best in her, I think has been really special to watch and you know as a friend as well to see someone thriving and to see someone so happy playing football and to be reaching their peak and then to achieve something that not a lot of people have achieved in their careers is really, it was amazing to watch. How did Arsenal do it on the day? What did you look at and see and think you know what they're at it today? I think first and foremost, it was just about suffering. They were comfortable being uncomfortable.

And when you're facing a team like Barcelona, you have to be really comfortable not having the ball. And obviously we know Arsenal love to possess the ball. I think the stat when I looked at the possession at the end of the game was like 60-something percent possession to Barca and 30-something possession for Arsenal. So they had to really kind of spin and completely twist what they would normally do Arsenal. So I think it was being so diligent in defence, in their defensive actions, but then at the same time being so clean and so on it when they were to regain possession and then to try and be as clean and cool and try and obviously score a goal and create chances when they did have the ball.

Yeah, well you sort of mentioned that comfortability with being uncomfortable without the ball. When you get it in those situations, I assume it's just super important that you give everyone a chance just to breathe. And then when you get into that final third, you have to make it count. We've just seen Beth Mead as well. What a pass that was to make it count. It was just, I just said to her,

the weight of your pass was ridiculous. That's like a dream Ellen White, a sister of Steve, isn't it? It was just beautiful. Her and Black Stenius coming on after seven minutes, Beth Mead with that cut back ball to Black Stenius, and then Black Stenius' touch to finish. It was just, it's what you dream of, especially like as a striker to have someone like Beth Mead with the quality that she had, but then also you know Black Stenius to obviously end the action but then I would say about this Arsenal

team their depth obviously I could imagine those two were very disappointed not to have started but for them to come on and make the impact that they did the freshness and then the quality as well I think that's what set them above Barcelona because they had a hell of a lot of chances Barcelona but what was interesting as well from Arsenal they were a lot of them for outside the box the defending was amazing Leah Williamson was probably one of the I think player of the match her defending just her tactical of where to stand where to be her block I just thought you know, she went another level, I think.

Did you feel that she grew into it as well as the game went on? Yeah, definitely. She sort of had that look about her that just with every minute that passed, that it was almost more encouraging to think we're gonna keep clean sheet today. Yeah, absolutely.

And it wasn't like they were looking around being like, oh this Barcelona, these are really good players. They're like, no, we're just as good as you, maybe even better. And yeah, it was like each, it felt like everyone was kind of standing 10 feet taller as the game went on, like you say, and it was just getting more confident with how frustrated Barcelona looked as well, and how they weren't able to do the things that they normally do, like being able to build and create chances and obviously with the possession, yes, great, but you've got to score your goals. And you kept Pina quiet for instance, she's the top goalscorer in the Champions League, so keep these type of players quiet, Pai or Pitellas, Bomati, it's incredible. That game plan worked, tuity, but then you've also got

to credit those players to put their ego to one side and be like, it's all about suffering. And they have to go back to work. It's time to get professional hats back on. Party time's over and they arrived to St George's Park and they've got to play Portugal on Friday, followed by Spain on Tuesday, and we'll get stuck into those games very shortly after this The 72 plus on the football daily I'm Aaron Paul and I'm Joey Mackoby Mackenna. And on Wednesdays on the Football Daily we bring you 72 Plus, the home of the EFL from Five Life Sport.

As we'll get stuck into the latest from the Football League and beyond. They've got so much quality there, for me, worthy winners. They've only actually lost four games all season, which is quite remarkable really. That's 72 Plus, the EFL podcast only on the Football Daily. Listen on BBC Sounds. On The Football Daily, the Women's Football Weekly with Ben Haynes, Ellen White and Jen Beattie. Neve, Charles, thank you so much for joining us.

It's wonderful to have you back on the Women's Football Weekly. Our first ever guest on the Women's Football Weekly, by the way, do you remember this? You don't remember that, Ellen, that's absolutely fine. Glad I was. Clearly that interview made a huge impact on your life. No it was just rack... yeah I remember it. So clearly it's gone well for you. Have you any way it was up maybe? Thank you for joining us again. Welcome back. How are you getting on? Yeah very well thank you. How are you? Yeah really good, we're saying congratulations to start with aren't we? Yeah. What a season for you. Unbelievable year. Have you managed to soak it up properly?

I think maybe after this camp when we get a little bit of a break maybe but still at the moment it's sort of like go go go and like I think we're all very good when we land at England we sign a park everything so hopefully in the holidays we'll get a bit of a break. So you're going a bit too fast? Not too fast but it's just very much like you're just next thing, next thing, next thing, like programmed.

So hopefully in the holidays we can have a little reflection, you know. We'll come back to Chelsea. I do just want to ask you a little bit about Mary. Such big news this morning. I think the thing I'd love to know from you was what she was like to play with, to be in the same side as,

and what sort of player was she in terms of what she brought beyond being just a goalkeeper? Yeah, I think like the biggest things I would immediately jump to with Mary was like my personal memories are one Like how she carried herself and like her preparation She was so diligent in everything she did and always doing her own thing in the best way that she knew exactly What was gonna work for her and she'd do it and I think that's to see that it kind of motivates other players, inspires other players that she sets the standard in that way and then on the pitch she was like training games she'd always bring her absolute best and like she was so serious so on it playing behind her it

well playing in front of her she would want to let you know if you weren't like doing your job but in the best way it held you accountable because she was right there and she'd hold herself accountable as well and I think she was a presence, she was a voice, a leader and yeah someone you definitely want on your team. That's what I was going to say my like memories of Mary are just like she would throw herself around but then I feel like I loved it because that kind of like was similar to me like she would just be diving around shouting on everything like giving a hundred percent her professionalism was so good, she's so diligent, she's a great leader and I feel like she grew into that as well with like the years that she's had recently as well in the squad. Yeah and I think it was she has so much to give

us so much knowledge to share obviously being a keeper as well you see everything on the pitch as well and And I think she really used that and it was a huge asset as well. And like when you have that cohesion, it makes playing easier. Like you can solve problems together on the pitch. We should also point out as well that your teammates that have come from Arsenal are rejoining you today.

And I know it must be bittersweet this year because you've had so much success. You would have loved to have added the Champions League to that as well. But how much pride did you take in seeing those people that you're incredibly fond of arrived back with such a huge smile on their face? Yeah, it's obviously we've it's been like a whirlwind literally seeing them on the path crossing path So tonight will be nice to catch up and obviously delighted for them And yeah, obviously I've grown up with some like Lotta and Alessia and obviously Lotta is a huge Arsenal fan as well as a player so on a

personal note really really happy for them and they sound like they've celebrated well. Have you spoken to Beth? I haven't spoken to Beth, couldn't hear her. And now suddenly it feels like we've been talking about the Euros, I mean we've been talking about the Euros for ages but it's just snuck up upon us, are you starting to get that vibe, that feeling now, like, okay, it's game time? I think the way it snuck up on you, it's probably not yet snuck up on us because we're so focused on our Nations League games

that maybe after that, then it'll hit us. But I think the way you describe it is obviously we had the season focusing on that end of the season and now we have the Nations League games. So the way you've described it, maybe that'll happen to us a little bit later, but for sure we're still focused on the Nations League. Tell us a little bit about the Nations League

then, two huge games coming up. Yeah they're massive games and I think this summer is sort of painted as the the Euros of course but before that we have two huge games against top opponents and they're really really crucial and one for our prep but two in terms of the Nations League standing as well and yeah sort of they're exciting times and exciting teams for us to play. And also I guess for you personally an opportunity as well to really just cement that place in Serena's mind you want to make sure that you go out there and give the best version of yourself so that when that squad announcement comes out you see your name on that list. Yeah I think there's that side of it but then I would I would like to think that I'm always trying to do that, no matter even if there's nothing or we have, yeah, so for sure it's the last thing before,

but I don't think equally you can turn up to this camp and just say, I'll just switch it on now. It definitely doesn't do that. But I think we have huge competition in this squad and it's only going to make us better. We have to ask you this as well. I know you've got to go because we're looking around and there's like stations everywhere that you've got to go to media for but You will have a tiny window won't you before you come back again in in a couple of weeks time What are you gonna do for what? How long have you got 12 days?

Is it yeah, and I feel like you pack everything into those days I actually like it never happens in football But I have two weddings and I'm able to go to both which is like shock or a dream and a little holiday in between So like every day is accounted for but I can't wait. Well Niamh, have the best time and good luck over the next couple of games and fingers crossed for the summer as well. Perfect, thank you very much, I appreciate it guys. Okay a bit of a tactical sub here, Elz has gone off to work on a very special project

with Radio 2 that I'm not allowed to talk about. We've also got Niamh Charles as well, so she's gone off to finish her media obligations. We've brought in a very special midfielder. Thanks for joining us, Kieran Walsh. Thanks for having me. Yeah just the two of us now and the heavens have opened. It's freezing now in this dome and it's pouring down with rain so forgive the noise everyone. But how are you? Fill us in. What's going on? I'm very good thank you. How are you? Yeah really well. I mean you have had some six months haven't you? Yeah it's been a busy six months it's fair to say yeah. I'm trying to think when the last time we spoke to you on it would have been on international camp. Yeah with Tooney. So I mean since that you've added a fair few medals to the cabinet as well not experienced defeat in the league how has it been? Obviously it's like it's been an incredible few months,

I think with the league one, you know, I think because I joined halfway through, I can't really take credit for the unbeaten run. Oh, you can't? No. Take some, 50% credit. Yeah, okay. But yeah, I think just being back in England is really nice and obviously winning trophies with Chelsea is really special.

What was the thing that stood out for you in that period of time? I mean, there are so many high points, but is there one in particular that you really cherish? I'd probably say the FA Cup, I think it's always a special trophy and I think to win it again and playing at Wembley, I think again is always a really great feeling. So yeah, winning the FA Cup with Chelsea, I'd say we'd be up there. Tell me how it's been being back with England. Every player says, look, it's always an honour,

but when you see people come in, they seem genuinely happy to be back in amongst this group. Yeah, definitely happy to be back and I've got one of my best friends back in Georgia, Stan Way, who has come to watch the interview. Are you coming to chat with us, Georgia? Come on. She loves it, doesn't she?

Yeah, it can't get enough. I just stole some Percy pigs. You just come and stole our sweets, that's alright. I just missed my mate, so I just wanted to see if she was ready to walk back to the hotel. Yeah, I'm almost ready. Almost? Only a couple more. Georgia, how are you getting on? Congratulations to you as well.

Thank you so much. How was your last few months? Good, crazy, yeah, good. Georgia Stanway does celebrate very, very well, wouldn't you say, Keira? What, with the singing? Yeah. Yeah, I actually think she's not a bad singer, you know. Can you fill people in on what singing Georgia's been doing?

Well, you sing, speak parallel. I sing a lot of Nickelback, though, now. She's good at Nickelback. I'm not joking. She's actually very good. Only when we're in the room, though. Yeah, she is good at it. How is it being reunited now?

Like, it must be lovely to have a bit of time together. Yeah, really nice. And then obviously Alex is back as well. So that's another member of the group I did. Yeah, so very nice. OK, very quickly, because I know that, all right, see you later, George. It was lovely to see you. Right.

She's going to be pining at the door, isn't she? George is now going to. She's just going to stand there and listen. Just watch you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just enjoy the show. I have to ask you about Mary. Because this is, we were on our way to St George's Park

this morning when the news broke and it's big news for all of us and it's taken us by bit of surprise. Can you tell us a little bit about the hole that Mary will leave in terms of what she does off the pitch for this team? She's just a massive character and I think one thing that I know about Mary, like when the team is probably at a low point or you know in a tournament sometimes the emotions dip and I think she brings a lot of energy when it's needed and I think personally I feel very very lucky to have been a teammate and I think off the field the fighting she does for women's football and I know

she's really passionate about pushing women's goalkeepers and I feel like in England she has probably changed the landscape of that. I think obviously the goalkeepers who came before were incredible, but I feel like Mary winning the Golden Glove and all of the personal accolades, I think she's really put women's goalkeeping in England on the forefront and yeah, I think she's an incredible

role model and I can't speak highly enough of her and she's gonna be missed, but I think for us it's really model and I can't speak highly enough of her and she's going to be missed But I think for us it's really exciting just on a personal level to see what's going to come next for her You know, she's a fantastic player, but a better person I would say. Were you surprised by how much of an impact she had when she started making a case for the goalkeeper jersey to be sold? When the England goalkeeper jersey wasn't being sold and then suddenly she managed to sort of push enough that it was suddenly then sold out in the space for about 60 seconds.

Do you know what? I wasn't surprised because I think when I first came into England Mary wasn't first choice, I think she was third choice and we had conversations or like Mealy and her would sometimes not be in the squad and we'd sit and talk. And she would always say that she's going to be England's number one one day. And she set her mind to that. And I think she's one of those people that when she sets her mind to something, she's going to do it. And obviously with the goalkeeping shirt, she felt very passionately about that. And yes, she went and did it.

And I think that just kind of sums her up as a person, I would say. Yeah, that's a pretty cool legacy to leave in that people will remember the fact that you were someone that went out to go after an aim and ambition and thought, I'll make that happen. And you did make it happen. It's very rare to see that. Yeah, it is. Not many people do that. Just finding, actually, one thing I did want to say,

I'm Mary, you're not going to be dragged into any more TikToks, which must be a relief for you on some level. The one upside. Do you know what? I think she knows not to ask me. In all honesty, I think she knows just to avoid it. But I'm gonna watch hers from afar. Just like, live vicariously through her.

It's the best way to do it. Very funny, two final things from us. You are gonna have a little bit of downtime. Niamh said to us that she's gonna go to two weddings. What are you planning to cram into the 12 days that you have? Well, I'm pretty much just going straight to Austria. That's where I'm going to spend my holidays. Oh wow.

Yeah, I'm going to Vienna and Salzburg. So it's going to be a relaxing, peaceful holiday, I would say in the mountains. And then come back ready to go. Yeah, that's the plan. And the last thing I want to touch on as well, cause Georgia is still waiting for you as you said. Yes she is. You had before, I'm trying to go back to the last thing I want to touch on as well, because Georgia is still waiting for you, as you said.

You had before, I'm trying to go back to the last Euros, you had such a cool little group of you there and that you had a lot of Man City players at the time. And then it feels like this time around, you've got a group of Chelsea players. Do you like having that bond? Does it make things easier for you when you rock up to camp, having Georgia here as well,

but also all the players you've known for so long and then the players from Chelsea that you're spending time with week in week out? Yeah I think it makes a difference because like you know more importantly how each other's gonna play and kind of the little things that each person does but I think for me like the nicer thing is obviously I've played with St. Neve for example at England for a long time but I probably not known her that well and I feel like now I've gone to Chelsea like we speak a lot more and like with Hannah and all the other girls obviously I was close with Millie because we've played England for such a long time but I think just developing those relationships more and then coming back here and we've got that now is yeah it's really nice. Kiera I've got to let you go otherwise George is going to shout at me and I just don't want that.

I don't want that for you either. Thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. What a pleasure to be joined by Kiera Walsh there. And it is still absolutely hammering it down here at St. George's Park. So let's get away from this grey and rainy landscape and instead hand things over to Jen Beatty, who's been catching up with former Scotland teammate Rachel

Corsi, who announced her retirement from football as well. OK, thank you, Ben. You are spot on. I am sat with the absolute wonderful Rachel Corsi who announced her retirement from football as well. Okay thank you Ben you are spot on. I'm sat with the absolute wonderful Rachel Corsi and we are about to celebrate the incredible career that she's had for club and country. Rach thank you for joining. It's an absolute pleasure not just even as a friend to be able to have this conversation and celebrate you. I can only imagine, I know firsthand, how overwhelming it is when the news gets out there into the world. So let's check in. How are we feeling? Congratulations, I'm beyond proud of you, but how did it feel having that news out there yesterday into the world? Firstly, thank you. Thank you, my friend. It was totally over. I think yesterday was overwhelming. I'm, you know what, I've actually felt really, I felt in a good place. I knew that's the plan. You know, everything that's how it's kind of all happened is, is all nice. You know, there's

a lot of nice things around it. I've had the opportunity to be able to be selected for camp. I got back playing at the end of the season. I've been able to make the decision, it's on my terms and you know, there was, there's lots of nice parts. So I was sort of like, yeah, I'm looking forward to it being announced and, and then I was just like so overwhelmed and you know, I don't really deal with that great. I didn't want to say that. I was like, ah. But yeah, I mean, it's just, it's just so nice to just hear from so many people that you played with that just want to also acknowledge that, you know, you've shared part of the journey together and other people who just want to appreciate the contribution

you've had and yeah, it's a lot. It's a lot. And yeah, it's a lot. It's a lot. And I think it's also a hard decision for me in its own right, because you'd want to play football forever, but you can. Well, you can, but you can't do it professionally forever. So yeah, it's gonna be the right time for me. You said it there yourself.

It's the right time. Why is it now? And talk me through the actual decision-making of it. it. Were there lots of conversation with friends, family, why now? What was the reality of this decision of why now? So it was probably something I first started to think about. It's one of these conversations, you're kind of, you know, you're close to getting friends, you do probably start to speak about it a little bit over the course of time. You sort of talk about those things, after football and what's next, and I need to start thinking about those things. And I've probably always been,

the generation I started in, I've not made the millions. I think I can say that with nobody being shocked. I always knew, you know, there was going to be a life after playing professional football. And I've kind of always done a lot of things over the course of my career to hopefully set me up in a good place for that. So I've always kind of known that it wouldn't last forever and that I would always, you know, it was a good thing to have things to think about beyond that. I think probably I knew that another full campaign internationally would be too much. So probably in the last summer, I was very optimistic and hopeful

that we would be going to the Euros this summer. So that was always kind of a milestone. I hoped we'd be able to celebrate. Obviously that's not materialized, but I always did want to have the opportunity to continue playing for the national team whilst I was playing. I think for me, I wanted to always be available because being here is the thing that I absolutely love the most, but probably another full campaign was too much. So that was kind of one part. And then of course I got injured at the start of the season that was fairly innocuous, but it was enough that needed surgical

intervention, which, you know, that kind of accelerated conversations, because when I saw the surgeon at that point in time, he was fairly transparent about the fact my knee was, you know, degenerating fairly rapidly, it's already had four other surgeries before that. And, you know, knowing me too, I want to have an active life beyond football. So he sort of was very clear on the fact, you know, you've got to start to think about how this may impact your day to day life. It's not just about

how it impacts your training. As you know, I'm also stubborn. So I was like, no, no, I'll be good. I'll be good. And I will be honest, that journey was a lot more painful and a lot harder than I think I anticipated. And then it just became about well, I just wanted to get back to I just wanted to be back training. I went to being full training, I wanted to be back with the team. I wanted to get to that point. The weeks were dwindling. So I was against the clock towards the end. But we did get there. And I think probably it was around kind of the start of the year where those feelings started to kind of make the decision making

become a lot more real and something. I don't remember the exact moment, you know, there wasn't like one day, but I was like, this is me deciding, boom, there was still a, you still sort of sway, don't you? You're like, yeah, I think this will be it. And then you're like, oh, but could I? And then just, it takes a little bit of time and then yeah and then I sort of made the decision but I do know that there's definitely a good feeling about or there's a there's a lot of feelings for me that feel a lot nicer because I did make it back onto the grass. Yeah I think and maybe there's the stubbornness coming through with Kanye I think any athlete definitely goes to and from.

I wanna know a little bit more about, because when a career comes to a close, right, there's a huge part that sits and reflects, and that's something that you don't do when you're still playing. But all of a sudden, there's this time to reflect on what you've done. Let's touch on your club career,

because it's taken you everywhere. You've gone to the States, Australia, England, Scotland, I think seeing all the pictures coming out and all the teams you've played for. Did you always plan to go abroad and what do you think has been your favourite part of that? Looking back, what's been your favourite part of playing in all these different kinds of countries and also the hardest parts of it? I didn't even expect to really play pro, you know, I kind of won't, it sounds silly to be like you stumbled into it. I didn't even expect to really play pro. It sounds silly to be like you stumbled into it, but I kind of needed to like pushed into it a little bit by people around me. There's always key people at different points in your career. I was lucky there was people

that probably had a little more belief maybe in me than I did for myself really. Because I sort of remember when I first decided to, I obviously studied accounting and then went on to train as a Chartered Accounting. And at that point I was still playing for Scotland, using my holidays at work to do that. And then training, you know, you trained at six, seven in the morning, you trained at eight o'clock at night. So I was quite content with that life.

That was quite a good life for a period. But then it was obviously not something that was sustainable. And also on top of that, the game was growing quickly and there was more out there. And when I probably made that jump to sort of put that aside, come to WSL in my first year with Notts County, like it was a total, it was this moment where I was totally jumping into the unknown and I really had no idea what direction it was going to go. So my family were a little bit like, it's a very rash decision. Like you're a Chartered Accountant and you've chucked that and now you're taking charged accountant and you've chopped that and now you're taking this path, which seems very unknown and not many people have walked it

before you, so that kind of thing. So I had no idea what it was going to lead to. I think the decision to go to the US was a big one because I played a year in England and I really enjoyed that. I have such good memories from that year at Notts County. I lived in Carly Telford, we had a great time, she sent me a really funny message yesterday of a picture of me in my younger years looking a lot less wise. Definitely can't be shared on socials. I was going to say we need that for the podcast.

I'll be phoning Carly. It's not me in the best moment, let's say. Good times were had. Let's put it that way. Yes. You know, so it was a big decision to go to America. Kim Little was out there at the time, a lot of Harvey was the manager. And I didn't really know what I was walking into that either. I remember being on the plane actually over there and I remember being like, oh right, I am actually doing this. Anyway, when I think to the person I was when I went there to

the person seven years later that came home, just like this wealth of life lessons. I love the football, then WSL's, I think, I can't remember which way it is, but one league is a year older than the other, then WSL and the WSL. I think maybe WSL is a year older. So like both were sort of, you know, in that phase of like, it was developing. But it was, it was just like, just such an extraordinary journey of meeting people from, with different backgrounds, playing with some of the best players in the world, you know, the US being one of the best national teams during that era,

you know, getting to... I remember I played that first few seasons with Hope Soule and Megan Rapinoe, two of the US's most, you know, successful players. I then equally remember some of the other players in that team who, you know, one specifically, Keelan Winters, who's the captain, who just had this, like specifically, Keelan Winters, who's the captain, who just had this like amazing calmness about her and just this like authority but grace at the same time. And I just think when I look back at all the people I've played with, like that's the best thing.

It's people, the people that have been on it, the things you learn, the journeys you go on, the highs and lows that you experience are all made because you do with the people you do it with. And that's, that for me is like the goodness that comes from team sport. That's, I've always loved sort of team sports when I was at school, wasn't allowed to play football, but I played other team sports and that's, that's the fun part. And there's an element of that now or after I've retired. I look forward to doing those things again because I think when

you know the joy that gives you, that's going to be a big part of hopefully life after football too. Well you mentioned some pretty big names there and you know whenever you come up in conversation with people out here in the States even, the one thing that always strikes me, what brought up is passion and drive for things bigger than the game, right? Your passion for the contract situation with Scotland, you became captain in 2017, working for the PA over in the States, you've always been really deep down cared about the game and where it's going. Just how hard has that been and where do you think your drive has come from? I just had such a good time. The work that we did with the PA in the US

was just again, that was like another overwhelming experience. And I don't know if you met Yael? Yeah, like one of the smartest people I've ever met, but she obviously founded the PA. Now she's obviously at Gotham and like she actually messaged yesterday on my Instagram and I haven't messaged her back yet and working my way through, but she was like I wish we played in the same team and like that's like that's one of those moments where I'm like one I wish we had to and two I hope maybe you know maybe there's an opportunity that our paths cross in the future, because like, those are, that's like an example for me of where doing what you do, you come across great people that are doing good things. And that naturally inspires you like naturally, like, I love all sports, I love watching other sports and seeing other athletes and seeing other people, like just people who are passionate about the things that they love doing. other people, like just people who are passionate about the things that they love doing. I just think that that's inspiring whatever field you're in. I sort of get like drawn into that.

And I guess that's maybe just a little bit of like a character trait. And I probably was thrust into positions of kind of leadership and, you know, captain roles from a really early age. And I don't kind of know where that sort of started. I don't know if it's a thing of, I think earlier in my career, you know, I remember youth level, I sort of got quite a lot of rejection. Like all the youth trials I went to,

it just was always like, I just never got in. And those moments are small in the grand scale of the ups and downs of your career. But when you're sort of like 13, 14, 15, they feel like you're quite significant in that part in your life because you don't, you know, you're sort of nurtured by your parents and your upbringing. So I think maybe just some of those things of you go through those little moments of kind of the rejection part, and then you just have to find a way. You just have to keep going. And you find reasons to keep going and why you want to keep going. And I guess maybe you know from from doing that and then getting the chance to just be in a role where you can make a difference, you can be someone that when you're the captain you've got to act and behave for the group. Sometimes there's things that maybe you wouldn't

do if it was just you as an individual or it opens your eyes up to a different way of thinking, but you have to be the person responsible for that. That's the role. You've got to put yourself second. I think I've just learned that over time from the opportunity and tried to just make the most of it, make the best of it. Look, I think from even being vice captain I saw it firsthand how much you did and I honestly commend you from the amount of work that even from a Scottish FA association how much you've done. I don't think anyone really understands how much a captain has to do until you see it firsthand so for me personally, absolute commend you for the amount of work you've done and actually really we'll get into it but I know you're there with the girls this week and you get to have that moment.

I've got a funny story. I remember in this one camp you were like mate can you delegate? Like you're not in your own hair can you just delegate? And I was like yeah okay yeah I hear you and then I was like it, I think it was a birthday or it was like, there was a card for something. And I was like, Oh, Jenny. That was it. That was the job I got. Did you take a pen to the meeting room? And you were like, when I say delegate, that wasn't really like the extent of what I was meaning, but cool. That's hilarious.

I'll bring a pen. That is it. Yeah. I was like, I just constantly saw the workload that you had and I was just like, please, like, let me take the heat. Yeah. Or, you know, do a bit more. And I got to go get a card sign, which was funny. Yeah. But it just goes to show how much you did, mate. And unbelievable. But I'm still in reflection mode. I want to know what your highlights. Let's talk about.

OK, we had rejection as a kid, but what are your highlights and what are you gonna miss the most about playing? Oh, highlights. I mean, I think that's the thing, there's so many highlights. My first cap, obviously, that's like surreal experience and again, like you're so, like I was fortunate, I was young, you were younger than me,

you were there, I'm pretty sure, that camp 2009, like you're too naive to appreciate what it is really, but were there, I'm pretty sure, that camp 2009, like, you're too naive to appreciate what it is really, but you know it's a great moment, then you look back, you're like, yeah, it was incredible. I think, we qualified for the Euros in 2017, I remember I was injured, both me and Kim were injured, and it was when we were both in Seattle. I remember the team, we were both in the gym, I remember exactly where we were, like where the gym is in downtown Seattle. We both were in there and like somebody phoned us from the changing rooms having qualified and everyone was just bouncing something down, which like it's difficult for us to also bounce something

down because we were in a public gym. So I think we did anyway. And you know what Kim's like, she probably hated that she would have been embarrassed to jump up and down in public. That was obviously a qualifying for the World Cup, I think is probably the one, that's like the moment where like when people are like, what's your one moment? Like that game against Albania in Albania, that sort of really iconic memory. Of course. Yeah, like that's not, you can go back to, you just like, I just can picture it so clearly, like the weather that day, like the stands in it

around the pitch, everything. Everyone on the side with their bibs off waiting to run, run on, remember that? Yeah, yeah, like absolutely no joke. What's happening? run on. Remember that? Yeah, yeah, like absolutely no joke. What's happening? Obviously being at the World Cup, that's actually a moment where you're like, that was incredible. That's like, obviously, we'll forever

go down in history as the first World Cup we were at. I almost regret not enjoying that more. Like, I think it was such a big occasion. We all probably were trying to, like, suppress the occasion just to, like, try and perform in the games and obviously ended in heartbreak. So that's the moment where I absolutely love and I think of fondly, but I also

hold an element of I wish we made more of that, that little moment when you had that header across back to me and we scored in the last minute and it happened. It's still one of the best cellies I think you've ever done. back to me and we scored in the last minute and it hammed it. Still one of the best cellies I think you've ever done. I know everyone's like, why did you go to the wrong side? Which I don't know. You know, look. But I couldn't have practiced in that.

I've got a point on that though. Do you want my theory on that? Tell me. So my theory is when goals are scored and you don't, it's because we're not, we've grown up where you didn't play in front of anyone. Yeah. There were no fans. And now we're at this like privileged age where like there are fans are being like, stadiums are being sold out but that concept of running to the fans was not there as a kid, you ran to your team. Yeah. Or early days in the game,

early 20s, we weren't playing in front of big crowds, you ran to your team. Or early days in the game, early 20s, we weren't playing in front of big crowds, you ran to your team. You came and picked me up, so we're fine. Okay great. Loads of moments, loads of, you know, such an honour to be a part of them as well and I've got goosebumps hearing you speak about them because they are such standouts in my mind as well. And even playing centre back with you, mate, so many amazing memories. So just hearing you speak, I think I was smiling the entire time. I would love to talk about what's next. I think what's always been so inspiring and I guess I've always been in awe of you of

is you've always done something else other than football, whether it was doing your accountancing exams. You worked just as hard off the pitch as you did on and that has set you up so incredibly well for what's next. But in your own words, what are you most excited for what's next? Definitely not being a chartered accountant though, I don't think. As much as your folks will be disappointed. I'm probably not going back to the books but,

do you know what? That's up there having qualified as that, that's up there. It's one of my biggest achievements amongst all. And I think rightly so. Yeah, and it's taught me a lot of things. The number crunching, I think, is not for me down the line. Although, you know, you can never say never, I think. But I'd like to use a lot of those skills. And, you know, I think naturally a lot of people think after football, you go,

you go into coaching and I've done little bits of coaching and I enjoy that too. I'm obsessed with the game. I love analyzing it. I don't know that that's the route for me, but I think there's, there's sort of a few things I do know that I will always work hard and I enjoy working hard, you know, even you've seen, I've always done other things. A lot of the reason I've always done it is because I enjoy do I enjoy sort of having that purpose kind of having projects to work on and doing other things on the side like I'm absolutely rubbish

it's sitting down and I've got this weird thing like I just I can't watch tv during the day I don't know where it's come from I don't know think growing up, but like I just I'm like camp watching TV during the day. It's just not like a TV. It's not a during the day activity. Not even a bit of loose women at lunchtime. I mean, I've occasionally caught that. But, you know, it's just like, I just enjoy doing things. So I know I'll always work hard. I'd love to stay in football in some capacity because it's just everything I know. And also know that the game's in a place where there's so many different opportunities that exist but you know I'd like to combine things that I think

I've acquired and developed and give back. You are going to be incredibly busy Corse, I'm sure those doors aren't in jar and they're wide open for you for what you've done in the game. So thank you so much for coming on. It's been such a pleasure having you as a mate, as a person on this podcast. You're a credit to yourself, family, mates, absolutely every single club you've played for. I'm so happy that you get to share this moment with the Scotland Girls this week. I hope you get commended in all the ways you deserve and congratulations on an incredible career. Thank you, friend. I love you a lot. Love you, mate. See you soon.

Thanks so much, Jen. And if you are an Arsenal fan, hoping to hear from Jen on that incredible Champions League win for Arsenal. We'll try and get into that next week. It was a miracle that we even got Jen on the pod today, considering how much she was enjoying the celebrations at the weekend but we will talk about that very very soon and really lovely to hear from Rachel Corsi as well massive congratulations to Rachel on what's been a wonderful career and that is where we're going to leave it on the pod for today don't forget live commentary of England versus Portugal on five live this Friday the last Women's Football Week will be next week. So we'll be dropping that a little bit later on

after that Spain game, which will also be on Five Live. Thanks for listening. See you next time.