Doncaster Rovers Belles gave Jade Moore her big break, and now she’s set to return to the Keepmoat – but this time in an England shirt.
The Lionesses midfielder is hoping to be named in Mark Sampson’s squad for the tantalising friendly with France on Friday 21 October.
It is England’s first friendly in preparation for next summer’s European Championship finals, and it against a nation they haven’t beaten since 1974.
England v France
A Women's International
8pm, Friday 21 October
Keepmoat Stadium
Tickets priced £7.50 adults, £3.50 concessions
Moore said: “This is a massive game for us as we’re playing a very good team – one of the teams that will be looking to win the Euros.
“France are tough competition for us, they always are. They are a massive team in European and world football.
“They are always hard to play against which makes them a good team for a friendly game. They ask a lot of questions and you have to work hard to find solutions.”
She continued: “We lost to them in the World Cup. It was a narrow defeat but showed us what we had to do if we wanted to go on and do well in the tournament.
“We learnt from that match very quickly and it was really important to how well we actually went on to do.”
Moore is only 25 but she has already left an indelible print on the women’s game in this country.
One of the Lionesses’ unsung heroes at last year’s historic World Cup campaign in Canada, Moore’s steely presence in midfield laid the foundations for England to go on and win the bronze medal.
Moore is no stranger to podium finishes either, having racked up an impressive trophy collection for both club and country.
Jade Moore laid on the second goal against Belgium last time out
The Worksop native was a key member of Mo Marley’s celebrated England team that won the U19s Euros in Belarus in 2009. That squad contained 11 players who have since been named in the senior set-up.
Moore then won The FA Women’s Premier League Cup with Leeds in 2010 and The FA Women’s Cup with Birmingham in 2012.
And it all began at Donny, one of the most famous and decorated clubs in the country.
Moore said: “Doncaster Belles was my first proper club and first professional set-up.
“I joined at the age of 12 and moved from U14s, to U16s, and then ended up in the reserves and training with the first team so I really developed my game there.
“John Buckley was the manager when I joined and he has had a big influence on me and my career.
“So it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to coming back to Doncaster, although this time it’s with England.
“The Keepmoat is a fantastic stadium. I always really enjoy going there in the WSL because the pitch and stadium are excellent.”
Moore won The FA Women's Cup with Birmingham in 2012
Injury ruled Moore out for most of England’s Euro 2017 qualifying campaign but she made her comeback in the 7-0 win over Serbia in June and is desperate to make up for lost time.
Sampson has so far lined up two friendlies against testing opposition; at home to France, the third best team in the world, and then away to Euro hosts Netherlands in November.
And Moore, who set up Karen Carney for the second goal against Belgium last time out, is excited by the challenge ahead.
She added: “One of our key preparation objectives is to play the top nations.
“If you play the best you get used to that level of opposition, understand what their game is all about and it can only help when you come into the tournament.
“It’s fair to say we were perhaps not challenged as much in the qualifiers so these friendlies are crucial in learning how to grind out results.
“For us as players, you want to be playing against the best, testing yourself and you want to put in big performances against big teams to show what you can do."
