The Rise of Beth Mead
Back in 2015, the buzz around Beth Mead was palpable. This young talent from Sunderland AFC Women's team was stealing the spotlight, not just with her skills but with her awe-inspiring stats. She banged in 15 goals across 20 matches—a tally that propelled her team to some incredible achievements, including a promotion to the top-tier FA Women's Super League 1 and a victorious run in the WSL 2 title race.
Her exceptional field performance didn’t go unnoticed. Carlton Fairweather, then helming the academy as a coach, was one of her prominent supporters. He didn’t mince words about Mead’s deserving spot in the senior England team. He saw not just a goal scorer but an athlete with the maturity and adaptability to thrive on bigger stages.
Despite her shining form, Mead’s name was conspicuously missing from the England roster. The decision by then-England manager Mark Sampson to keep Beth Mead without a cap despite her fantastic form left many scratching their heads. The football community buzzed with speculation about the possible reasons, but the definitive answer stayed elusive.
Overlooked but Undeterred
Mead’s trajectory from a promising youth player to a fully-fledged professional was sharp, focused, and impressive. Yet, the national call remained just out of reach at that time. Many were left wondering if politics, player dynamics, or plain oversight kept her away from donning the England jersey. Yet, this did not deter Mead’s growth in the sport.
Sunderland’s achievements that season were a testament to her impact. Not just a scorer, but a player whose presence on the field inspired. Fairweather’s endorsement was based on more than just numbers; it was about the extraordinary potential he saw in her to be a game-changer, someone who could bring fresh energy to the national team.
The buzz around her exclusion sparked necessary conversations in football circles about scouting criteria and the transition process for players from club success to the national level. Though she didn’t make the squad in 2015, Mead’s later accomplishments proved her mettle beyond Sunderland and transcended those early days of anticipation and speculation.
