England star Lauren Hemp reveals being spotted in a chip shop gave her hope she can inspire local girls to make it as footballers… as the forward prepares for clash with USA in the SheBelieves Cup
- Lauren Hemp is set to take on the USA in the SheBelieves Cup on Thursday
- The forward says she plays with no fear and has confidence to take players on
- She has recalled the time she was spotted in her local chip shop by young girls
- Hemp said she hoped she could inspire local youngsters to succeed in the game
Breakthrough England starlet Lauren Hemp has revealed being spotted in a local chip shop was the first sign that her life was changing, as she prepares to earn only her second senior cap against the USA in the SheBelieves Cup on Thursday.
The humble 19-year-old forward, who has earned plaudits throughout the FA Women’s Super League this season, and not least from her Lioness teammates who she once looked up to, insists she’s proof there’s a pathway to the professional game for girls in East Anglia.
‘I did get noticed in a chip shop once by some young girls from a local side that I had played for. It probably wasn’t the best place to get recognised even though I wasn’t actually getting something [to eat], I’d just gone along with my sister,’ said Hemp after lifting two domestic trophies, making her senior England debut and signing a new contract with Manchester City all in the last 12 months.
England’s Lauren Hemp wants to inspire girls in East Anglia that they can make it in football
‘I think it’s nice for them to know that there is a way to get to the top even though you’re from an area that not that many people come from. There’s not that many opportunities where I’m from in Norwich but as the women’s game grows, it’s nice to see more.’
Hemp, often credited for her fearless approach, is relishing the opportunity to take on some of the best players in the world when England mount their SheBelieves Cup title defence against the USA on Thursday night.
‘I just go onto the pitch and play with no fear. It’s just having the ability to take players on, because that’s what I love doing. If I make a good cross or score a good goal, it gives me confidence. That’s what people have seen from the outside and it makes me want to keep going.’