Euro 2022: Beth Mead is using past disappointments to help spur Lionesses to glory

Beth Mead was in the stands as England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties. 

On Sunday, she returns to Wembley with the chance to go one better and help deliver England’s first major trophy since 1966.

‘I loved the final,’ Mead says. ‘I didn’t think a year later I would be in a Wembley final playing for my country but dreams can come true.’

There is a reason Mead, who is also in the running for the Golden Boot, did not think she would be back at Wembley. Last summer she was left out of the Team GB Olympic squad and had also been dropped from the England set-up by interim boss Hege Riise.

Mead has spoken openly about how missing that tournament affected her mentally but it was at the Euro 2020 final where some former England players offered words of wisdom. 

‘I had a few good conversations with some England legends, I think there was Casey [Stoney], Kelly Smith, I spoke to a few of them. Obviously I was a little bit disappointed. They just told me to get my head down, work hard and get my enjoyment in my play again.

Mead has bounced back from the disappointment of being omitted from the Olympics squad

‘I’ve had difficulties off the pitch this year but I’ve had a lot of support around me that helped me. I guess I’ve used my football to get rid of the emotions that I’ve had off the pitch. I think football is my safe space, a place for me to escape sometimes.’

Mead hails from North Yorkshire and was the only girl who played football in her area. When her mum dropped her off at a local boys’ training session they were warned it might be ‘too rough’ for her. ‘When she came back an hour later, he [the coach] basically said I was rougher than most of the boys!’. It became clear that Mead was talented but the lack of clubs for her to join meant she had to make the 45-minute journey to Middlesbrough’s academy.

Mead’s mother, June, took on a second job to afford the petrol to get her to training sessions. ‘I never (expected) my parents to do that for me but they always wanted to go above and beyond,’ Mead says.

Mead is in contention to win the Golden Boot after her fine displays during the tournament

‘It makes me appreciate what they did for me more. It’s special playing for your country but in front of your family and friends, people that care about you most . . . they’re the ones you want to make proud out there. I sometimes have to avoid eye contact with my mum because she’s often crying!’

Mead currently leads the race for the Golden Boot with six goals. Germany’s Alexandra Popp also has six but with fewer assists, the deciding factor in the event of a tie. While Mead’s team-mates have always believed she was capable of starring on the international stage, the winger has not always shared that belief.

‘I remember me and Lucy [Bronze] were playing together in a training game over a year ago and she shouted at me because I didn’t control a ball. She shouted, “I expect you to do better because I know you can”. That really stuck with me.’

She lost her place under Hege Riise but has impressed since Sarina Wiegman came in

Mead has always said she plays better when she is angry and that the bitterness of missing out on the Olympics has been the driving force behind her form for Arsenal and England this year. But she really has little to be angry about now.

‘I guess I’ve channelled my energy in the right way and used that on the pitch more regularly,’ she admits.

‘It’s been a big year of growth for me. Being involved in the Euros was a dream come true for me after the disappointments of last year.’

Mead hopes the atmosphere in front of a record crowd will match what she experienced at last year’s men’s final. ‘I really hope we can recreate those memories,’ she says. With luck, they will go one step better.