World Football News
Freya Godfrey Thought England Call-Up Was Spam: “I Don’t Answer Numbers I Don’t Know”
London City Lionesses midfielder Freya Godfrey nearly missed the phone call that changed her life after ignoring Sarina Wiegman’s initial attempt to inform her of a maiden England call-up.
The 20-year-old was driving to visit her brother at university when the England manager rang, prompting Godfrey to dismiss it as spam before a follow-up text clarified the caller’s identity.
The Moment Everything Changed
Godfrey describes herself as cautious with unknown numbers, routinely ignoring calls from contacts not saved in her phone. When Wiegman’s text arrived, identifying herself, Godfrey immediately called back and struggled to find appropriate words beyond repeated expressions of gratitude. The conversation confirmed her selection for England’s final fixtures of 2025 against China at Wembley on Saturday and Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday.
Journey From Arsenal Academy to International Recognition
The attacking midfielder joined Arsenal’s academy at 12 and progressed through England’s youth system from Under-15s upward. However, her path to senior recognition has been complicated by persistent injury problems affecting different parts of her body across recent seasons. Most recently sidelined until October, Godfrey credits the setbacks with teaching her personal strength and perseverance during lengthy rehabilitation periods with various medical staff.
Recent Form Catches Wiegman’s Attention
Godfrey has impressed since returning to action, scoring twice in London City’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham earlier this month while earning player-of-the-match honours. She has started four of five WSL matches this season, accumulating 299 minutes despite the Lionesses’ busy summer recruitment drive that brought 16 new players to the club. Her permanent move from Arsenal followed a successful loan spell in the second half of last season.
Leadership Experience and Development
Godfrey captained England’s Under-19s, an experience she believes proved crucial for her maturation and readiness to step up to Under-23 level. She worked under Emma Coates across multiple youth age groups, benefiting from an environment deliberately designed to mirror senior international setup as closely as possible to ease eventual transitions.
Wiegman praised Godfrey’s return from injury, noting she brings something different to the squad and appeared flabbergasted but excited when receiving the news. The England boss encouraged her simply to enjoy herself and demonstrate her capabilities during the upcoming camp at St George’s Park.
World Football News
Izzy Goodwin Signs New London City Lionesses Contract After Championship Golden Boot Heroics: Details, Duration and More
Izzy Goodwin has committed her future to London City Lionesses by signing a contract extension through summer 2028, rewarding the England U23 international forward for her pivotal role in firing the club into the WSL.
The 24-year-old joined London City in September 2024 and immediately made her mark on the Championship. She finished as the second tier’s top scorer with 16 goals while earning the Player of the Season award as the Lionesses secured promotion to the Barclays WSL.
Goodwin’s outstanding campaign saw her overtake established strikers to claim the golden boot in a competitive Championship season. Her goals proved decisive in London City’s promotion push, with the forward finding the net consistently throughout the campaign.
“I Can Call This Home”
Speaking to londoncitylionesses.com after signing her new deal, Goodwin expressed her delight at extending her stay. “I feel like this is a place that I can call home. I’m really enjoying my time here and I’m absolutely delighted to sign a new contract,” she said.
The contract extension represents a significant statement of intent from both player and club. London City have secured their star striker for the long term, while Goodwin has committed to leading the line in their maiden WSL campaign.
WSL Ambitions Clear
Goodwin outlined her immediate objectives following the contract extension. “Doing the best I can in the WSL and hopefully scoring as many goals as I can are my immediate aims. I just want to help the team win games to give us the best chance of being successful.”
The forward’s goals will be crucial as London City navigate their first season in the top flight. Newly promoted sides often struggle to replicate their Championship form in the WSL, but Goodwin’s proven scoring ability gives the Lionesses genuine hope of survival.
From Championship Hero to WSL Striker
Goodwin’s journey to the WSL has been rapid. Her 16-goal haul in the Championship demonstrated she possesses the clinical finishing and movement required at the highest level. Now she faces the ultimate test, proving she can deliver against elite WSL defenses week in, week out.
The three-and-a-half-year contract suggests London City view Goodwin as a cornerstone of their long-term project. Her combination of youth, proven goalscoring and England U23 recognition makes her exactly the type of player promoted clubs need to retain as they establish themselves in the top division.
World Football News
How Long Has Ruesha Littlejohn Been Banned for After Wild Takedown as FA Deems Standard Punishment “Clearly Insufficient”
Ruesha Littlejohn will serve a five-match suspension after the FA successfully argued that the standard three-game ban for violent conduct was “clearly insufficient” following her red card incident with Leicester City‘s Hannah Cain.
The Crystal Palace midfielder was sent off in the 58th minute of a Women’s League Cup clash on November 23 after what social media described as a “WWE-style takedown” of Cain. Despite Littlejohn denying the FA’s claim that her offense warranted extended punishment, the regulatory commission upheld the decision on Friday.
The FA’s statement confirmed: “The standard punishment for violent conduct is a three-match ban, but the FA claimed that this penalty is clearly insufficient, and Ruesha Littlejohn subsequently denied this claim. The regulatory commission upheld the claim; set aside the standard punishment and imposed the five-match suspension following a hearing.”
What Actually Happened?
The incident unfolded after Leicester’s Olivia McLoughlin tangled with Crystal Palace’s Annabel Blanchard. Cain stepped in between the pair to defuse the situation, prompting Littlejohn to nudge her. Cain responded with a push to the back of the Republic of Ireland midfielder.
Littlejohn then grabbed Cain around the head and wrestled her to the ground in full view of the officials. Despite the red card, Crystal Palace still won 3-0 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
Littlejohn: “I Let My Emotions Spill Over“
Speaking at a Republic of Ireland press conference, the 35-year-old admitted she regrets the incident. “I’m quite an emotional person and player. That’s not who I want to be on the pitch, so I will learn from it and move forward,” Littlejohn said.
Ireland head coach Carla Ward defended her player while condemning the online abuse she’s received since. “She’s a human being. She’s someone’s daughter and sister. It’s not okay,” Ward said. “Some of the stuff I’ve seen this week has been disgusting.”
Ward’s comments came after Keira Walsh revealed that the majority of WSL players have received online abuse.
Fixtures Littlejohn Will Miss
The extended ban means Littlejohn will miss Crystal Palace’s WSL 2 clashes with Birmingham City, Bristol City and Sheffield United in the new year, plus their FA Cup tie with Lewes and a League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. The commission will explain its decision in writing in due course.
World Football News
What Happened to Scarlette Slater-Rowley? All About Why The Goalkeeper Was Laid Unconscious
Doncaster Rovers Belles’ match against Norton and Stockton Ancients was abandoned on Sunday after goalkeeper Scarlette Slater-Rowley suffered a serious head and neck injury following an accidental collision.
The incident occurred in the 68th minute at Millmoor with Belles trailing 2-1. Slater-Rowley was knocked unconscious after an accidental knee to the head and neck from an opposition player, with blood coming from her nose immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
Doncaster Belles Goalkeeper Left Unconscious After Horrific Collision Forces Match Abandonment
Players around the incident immediately signalled for assistance, with physios from both clubs rushing to provide care. Norton and Stockton player Erin Green, a qualified doctor who came through the Belles Academy, also helped treat Slater-Rowley on the pitch.
40-Minute Wait for Ambulance
An ambulance was called immediately but took approximately 40 minutes to arrive at the ground. Slater-Rowley received treatment on the pitch for a further 20 minutes before being taken away just after 3:30pm for assessment, accompanied by Belles physio Lydia Wade.
The club confirmed officials contacted Slater-Rowley’s parents, with Wade reporting the goalkeeper was conscious and talking while awaiting an MRI scan. The lengthy delay in emergency services arriving raises questions about response times to sporting incidents.
Match Context Overshadowed
Before the injury, Norton and Stockton had dominated proceedings. Eve Marshall opened the scoring inside the first minute, before Bianca Owens doubled the visitors’ advantage with a header before the half-hour mark. Jodie Gregory pulled one back with a free-kick in the second half before the collision occurred.
Belles’ statement thanked everyone involved in the aftermath: “We wish to send our heartfelt thanks to all those involved in the aftermath of the incident, which saw medical staff alerted quickly, as well as those who carried out treatment.”
The club promised a further update on Slater-Rowley’s condition “when possible.” Belles are scheduled to visit Durham Cestria next Sunday (December 7).
Also read: Grace Fisk Update: What Has Caused The Liverpool Defender to Withdraw From England Squad?
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