‘I was watching Love Island on a flight!’ – Poppy Pattinson on how she received first England call-up | OneFootball

London City Lionesses full-back Poppy Pattinson has revealed she found out about her first England Women’s call-up while she was on a flight watching Love Island.

Pattinson has had a good season for the London-based WSL team, and has also been through the England set-up all the way since the under-17’s.

Asked how she found out about the call-up, Pattinson said: “I was actually on a flight. I feel like everyone has a story when it comes to this, but I was actually on a flight, so I missed the call. When I landed, I saw the missed call and a message from Sarina (Wiegman) asking me to call her back.

“So, obviously, you can imagine the people next to me probably thinking I was just chilling watching Love Island on the flight. And then when I landed I’m just like ‘oh my God.’ It was tense, obviously, waiting for everyone to get off the plane. 

“I’m thinking ‘please, come on, get your stuff.’ But then I got into the airport, called her back, and I’m just super proud. She was congratulating me and inviting me into the camp.”

Pattinson has made nine appearances for the London City Lionesses this season and has consistently impressed.

England currently have a lack of left-back options and there is a real opportunity for Pattinson to make the position her own.

Asked if she thinks she can do that, the 25-year-old said: “Yeah, look, of course, I’m fully aware there’s some great players in this team. But I want to bring my strength to the team. 

“I want to add what I can. I think I’ve had some good performances at club level, and I just want to keep adding to that, take the opportunities that I can, and just be myself on the pitch.”

It was manager Sarina Wiegman who called Pattinson to invite her to the England camp, and the full-back said her new manager had some kind words to say.

“She was just positive about the performances I’ve had with my club and just congratulating me, inviting me to come in and express myself here on an international level.

“Obviously, this is the first step, getting the call-up, but I don’t want it to be the last. I want to learn a lot. There are some big players and talented players in the group. (I want to) learn from the leaders around me, and enjoy it, most importantly. And express my strengths on the pitch.”