Beth Mead on Euro 2022, homesickness and her City move

Manchester City forward Beth Mead on overcoming homesickness, reliving Euro 2022, her mum’s best advice and why Australia is top of her travel list.

Beth Mead has won a Euros, a golden boot and almost every domestic honour. Now starting a new challenge at Manchester City, the England forward looks back on the moments that shaped her, from village football with the boys to the summer of 2022.

Do you remember your first club, coach, or grassroots match?

I didn’t really have a local club, but I remember my first-ever football session that my mum took me to; it was a local village football field. It was all boys, and the guy said, "She's fine! She can join in no problem, but the boys are quite rough.” And Mum was like, "Just get rid of her; she’s got too much energy." She came back an hour later, and the coach said, 'She's rougher than most of the boys, but she was great! ' I think you should maybe try to go find a team for her.’ The rest is history!

What was the first match you watched — live or on TV — that made you fall in love with the game?

I wouldn't say there was like a specific moment, but when I was younger, with it being in one of the closest teams, I used to go to a lot of Middlesbrough matches with my uncle, who is a big Boro fan. I used to go and watch players like Juninho and Bolo Zenden and the old-school players, and I used to love watching football, and I still do. It was just nice to go and watch a live football game and watch different teams.

Is there a ‘small’ moment — not a goal or a trophy — that means more to you than people would expect?

When I first grew up, I was very shy and homesick and really struggled with the thought of being away from home, and when I went to Arsenal a long time ago I really struggled with it. Thinking back now, that was a big goal that I overcame, and now it's become a lot easier. I would like to think I don’t get homesick anymore, but that was a big thing for me, and I really struggled. So, technically, it's a goal that I'm quite proud of overcoming.

What's a moment you wish you could go back and experience again for the first time?

Winning the Euros in 2022, winning that one again would be pretty sick, I think, because it was in England; nothing compares.

Which song instantly takes you back to a memory?

It sounds a bit boring, but it would probably be Gala’s Freed From Desire, as that was the song of the tournament in '22. It takes me back to after every game and celebrating with the fans.

What was the first foreign country you visited? The favourite place you've ever been to? The one place you want to go...?

I'd love to go to Australia. One of my best friends, Steph Cately [Arsenal], is from Australia, and I've never actually been there, so I think I need to sort that one out! One of my early memories is that in the England youth teams we used to go to places like Poland and stuff a lot. And then one of my favourite places is either Italy or Greece – if it's got sun and I can tan, I’m happy!

Who is the first person you call when you have big life news?

I mean, it’s my family, my dad, my brother, or it would be Viv [Miedema]; they always help.

**What's the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?

**

I think it was probably my mum and dad doing a lot for me when I was younger; before they even knew I was going to make it they would give up a lot of time. My mum worked extra jobs to pay for petrol while my dad would take me to training, and I think that things they did were because they loved me, not because they felt they were going to get anything from it. It's nice that it all paid off.

Who makes you laugh the hardest?

I like joking with people when something silly happens, and you try and kind of jump on the banter with someone or something like that. My dog makes me laugh too; she has her random moments and keeps me entertained daily. She’s crazy; she’s a cocker spaniel, so she’s got a lot of energy, and she’s just a fruit loop and makes me laugh a lot.

Which place feels most like home outside your own?

It’s wherever my people are; when I was down south, it felt like home. I obviously had a place with Viv, and I have my best friend Steph around me with the dogs, and it’s the same here; it’s the people.

What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?

I think it was when I was playing at Sunderland after we got promoted into BWSL 1. I played really well that season and Arsenal wanted to sign me, and I actually didn't decide to sign that year. I took the risk of staying with Sunderland to try and get more minutes and play regularly in the BWSL, and it was kind of a risk because if I didn't play well, Arsenal may not have wanted me. I became top scorer in the league that year for Sunderland, and Arsenal wanted to sign me again, so it was a risk, but I'm happy I took it.

Have you ever had a moment that completely changed your perspective on life?

Probably when my mum passed away. I think that was a big perspective moment for me. I think life's short, and you've got to enjoy the moments, and people can be taken away too soon, which obviously my mum was. That gave me a perspective to appreciate the smaller moments as well as the big ones.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

It was from my mum again, 'one step at a time'. When I used to struggle with my homesickness, she’d say, 'You've got up; you've made yourself coffee this morning. Like, that's okay; now you can go in and do training.' And when I used to get myself panicked, it was like, 'Just take one step at a time,' and that was a nice mantra for me. I live by that now; if today’s not good, tomorrow will be better.

What's something you wish you'd known when you were younger?

Spend time enjoying each moment, that hard times do not last forever. You're doing okay; you'll do okay. And I think when I struggled when I was younger, I think that I look back now and I think, 'You've done all right.'

What's something you've changed your mind about over the years?

I’ve never thought about that before, really. I just think to not take things too seriously. I'm very much a laid-back and chilled person, and I intend to live that way.

What's something people often get wrong about you?

I don’t take things too seriously; I do have a serious side, but maybe people think I’m not always serious.

What makes you feel happiest away from football?

My fur-baby Myle. Regardless of whether I’ve had a good or bad day, she’s always happy to see us regardless.

What's one thing you still want to experience?

I'd like to win an FA Cup! I've never won one and it’s the only domestic trophy I've not won, so that would be a nice thing to experience. I’d like to win that, so we better not have peaked last year!

What excites you most about the future?

A new challenge at City! After playing with a team for quite a long time, I’m looking forward to playing with someone new.