Lucy Staniforth and Maya Le Tissier reflect on World Cup standby support

England's Lucy Staniforth and Maya Le Tissier have provided an invaluable support to the squad both on and off the pitch over the last four weeks, after being named as standby players by head coach Sarina Wiegman.

As well as being ready to slot into the squad in the event of an injury or withdrawal, the duo also provided valuable competition and backup in training and travelled with the squad to Australia, as the Lionesses continued their preparations for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.

And with the competition underway, Aston Villa midfielder Staniforth and Manchester United defender Le Tissier will now be leaving the camp.

We caught up with them both before they left on Sunday morning...

Firstly, Lucy, how are you feeling? A good experience?

I think the over-riding feeling right now is a little bit of sadness and pride, I guess. I'm sad to be leaving the group, the girls, the tournament. It's been a wonderful experience but, ultimately I'm really proud of myself. It's a different position to step into – drop your whole life and everything, and jump at a chance to come and work with the group. I'm just really proud that I came at it with a great attitude and hopefully contributed to the team.

You were planning on a holiday with your mum Sandra when you got the call?

It was a couple of days after the call. I was supposed to be going to Ibiza with my mum. We're just adaptable as a family, and she ended up having a great holiday and obviously I came here. It couldn’t have gone any better. It's funny when the squad came out, my mum and I were having a text back and forth. Obviously there was disappointment at the time and while I didn’t feel that I had let her down, I felt like it was something that I really wanted to achieve and give her the memories like we had in France four years ago. So then when I got called in, she was just so proud of me and I think to be able to have that feeling again with her was amazing. I was so happy.

What was your mentality coming in?

I didn’t want to come into an environment and leave it and no one notice that you have gone. You always want to try and make a mark. Whether that's on the training pitch or being a good team-mate and I'm obviously happy that Sarina has noticed that I have managed to do both. I guess it's just credit to the group that is here, all the staff and the players – just how welcome Sarina makes you feel. It was just a natural thing for me to come into training and be myself. Like I say, it wouldn’t be possible if Sarina hadn’t created the culture that she has created. It was just so easy. 

And you still have more to try and achieve with England?

That was what was in the back of my mind coming in, you want to take every opportunity you can to put yourself in Sarina’s plans and I still feel like I've got so much to contribute to the group. I just hope I can continue in the form I was in last season, and I'm looking forward to the next internationals. Hopefully I can be in with a shout of being in the squad because I'm not finished yet. I've still got so much more that I want to achieve and contribute to this team. I would love to play a part in the future.

What next? We hear you're staying in Australia for a little bit?

I want to cross off a few bucket list things while I'm here. Maya and I are going to Sydney. It's going to be really cool, there's obviously World Cup stuff going on. If you come all this way, you’ve got to make the most of it. You've got to walk on the Harbour Bridge. The staff have booked for us to be able to do that as a ‘thank you’. I was like ‘oh wow!’ But I'm scared of heights, so I don’t know what I have let myself in for…I'm just going to smile and be brave. We're going to do it together. Maya can go first and I will just look at her!

And then back to your club?

I've got a little bit of time off so I'm looking forward to a bit of normality. I won’t be heading to Ibiza, that ship has sailed. But there is always next year. I never pictured being in Australia, but the fact I made it here is so special. We've had amazing weather, been to some incredible places so I feel very lucky. Sunshine Coast was the perfect place to start, it was insane to see the kangaroos everywhere, the beach was beautiful. I have never been so active as I was in that period. I've made memories I never thought I would have and will cherish forever. It has just been wonderful.

Maya, moving onto you, how has the experience been for you?

I've really enjoyed it – especially being at the Sunshine Coast with the set-up and the beach. That was my favourite bit and it has been really good to be a part of preparing the team for the World Cup. Obviously, we have started off well against Haiti and I have had a good time over the past few weeks.

How have you found being with the squad but knowing that this moment would come unless there was an injury?

Of course it's hard, but you never want anyone get to get injured. I just came in and thought ‘just enjoy it and enjoy the experience for as long as it lasts’. You have to prepare yourself that you'll be packing your bags but also know that you have to make sure you do everything you can in a short space of time to help the team prepare. It has been enjoyable really.

There is a togetherness in the whole group, that must have helped?

It's felt like that as well for me and Stan. We're part of the team, we're all the same. That's a credit to the players, credit to the staff and everyone. We've not felt like outsiders at all. It's been really inclusive. It's been great.

You've already had quite an England journey. This experience must have helped you to understand the senior set-up more?

I think obviously when the call came that I wasn’t part of the 23, I could've taken it in both ways – either in a negative way or think I’ve got an opportunity to go and be a part of the team. Even though it was really hard to come in the first day, I wanted to make the most of it. Once I settled in, it's been good. Of course, I'm still young so it's been perfect for me to have a glimpse of what it could be like in the future and maybe what I can do for the team if I am picked. I've learnt so much from the more experienced girls. Maybe in some ways it has been a good thing to come in as a young player and see what it is all about without the added pressure that it could have been.

You have also got a chance to work closely with Sarina and the coaching staff, and show what you can do?

It's been great. The staff and Sarina have been great with me, as I said before I've never once felt I wasn’t part of the team. I've loved working with everyone here.

Now some downtime?

I'm going to go to Sydney with Stan for a couple of days and do a little bit of travelling. Australia is so far away, you have to make the most of it while you are here. I don’t think I would have ever thought to come to Australia unless travelling for football. I might as well stay a bit longer, have a holiday and then go back.

And next season promises to be another important one?

I’m not thinking about next season just yet but I'll be ready for it when it comes. I'm just switching off now. We've got time before the league starts, and I am sure the club will ease me in. With England, I know the Nations League starts in September and that is something to try and aim for if I can. They will be big games.