Swindon Town Football Club is delighted to announce that the Lionesses will visit the Energy Check County Ground as part of their preparation for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The fixture, against Spain, is to be played on Tuesday April 9th (KO 7pm) as part of Phil Neville’s squad’s ‘Road to France’ series as England look to build momentum ahead of the tournament this summer.
This is not the first time the Lionesses have visited SN1, however. Back in 2009, the national team faced Denmark, winning 1-0 in a friendly.
The Lionesses were last in action at the Energy Check County Ground in September 2013 when they defeated Slovenia 4-0 – Rachel Yankey, Ellen White and Rachel Williams were all on target.
Also on the scoresheet that day was England captain, Steph Houghton, who received her 100th England cap back in November and is set to feature again in the lead-up to the World Cup.
England’s preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup will, in total, include four home internationals across the country, with kids’ tickets for each game priced at just £1.
On Swindon’s part to play in the run-up to the tournament, Swindon Town CEO Steve Anderson said:
“We’re delighted to be hosting the Lionesses in such an important year for them. Over the last few years, it’s obvious to see how much the women’s game has grown since the last time an England game was hosted here. The last World Cup was a fantastic spectacle and the team’s passion and pride to play for their country was obvious.
“We can’t wait to see as many people as possible at the County Ground to support our national team on their Road to France.”
Phil Neville’s squad will prepare for the finals in France with two games in early April and a double-header just before the tournament, which begins in June.
The ‘Road to France Series’ will be played at four different venues, giving plenty of fans the chance to see the Lionesses up close before the big send-off at the American Express Community Stadium – home of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion – on Saturday 1 June.
The full ‘Road to France’ Series comprises:
- Friday 5 April (KO 7pm): England v Canada – Academy Stadium, Manchester City FC
- Tuesday 9 April (KO 7pm): England v Spain – The Energy Check County Ground, Swindon Town FC
- Saturday 25 May (KO 3pm): England v Denmark – Banks’s Stadium, Walsall FC
- Saturday 1 June (KO 1pm): England v New Zealand – American Express Community Stadium, Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Both of April’s opponents are also preparing for the World Cup finals. Ranked fifth in the world, Canada will provide a stern test in Manchester on Friday 5 April, before an emerging Spain side head to Swindon four days later.
UEFA EURO 2017 runners-up Denmark travel to Walsall on Saturday 25 May, while New Zealand – another World Cup-bound opponent – will ensure a tricky finale in Brighton a week later.
Tickets for all four games are on sale now, priced at only £1 for concessions and £10 for adults – reduced to £7.50 if booked before 28 February (Canada & Spain) and 10 March (Denmark & New Zealand). To book yours at the County Ground, visit our tickets page now.
Before the Road to France Series, England begin the 2019 fixture schedule with the SheBelieves Cup in the United States later this month. Having secured the Lionesses’ best-ever showing in 2018, this year’s tournament promises to be even more competitive with opposition from three different continents in the shape of Brazil, Japan and the host nation.
Neville said: “The World Cup is firmly in sight now and I’m really happy with this group of fixtures to complement the games that we have played in recent months plus the ones to come at SheBelieves.
“It’s great that we can visit four different parts of the country and I have no doubt the players will get fantastic support as ever. I also want to thank my colleagues at The FA and the clubs for making this exciting series of games possible.
“We have already played Australia and Sweden in our last two matches in 2018 and being up against three more fellow finalists and the last EURO runners-up is just what we need. We will certainly hit the ground running when we get to France.
“This is a huge year for my players and staff, and we are raring to go. Every single day spent working at St. George’s Park is with the World Cup in mind, and we are going to France with the aim of making the country proud.”
The Lionesses’ group-stage schedule at the World Cup is:
- Sunday 9 June (5pm BST): England v Scotland - Stade de Nice
- Friday 14 June (8pm BST): England v Argentina – Stade Océane, Le Havre
- Wednesday 19 June (8pm BST): Japan v England - Stade de Nice
Fans wanting to travel to France for the World Cup have until Friday 8 February to purchase their tickets. To buy, go to TheFA.com/Lionesses/Tickets.
The Lionesses Supporters Club is coming soon – to register your interest in joining for exclusive benefits and news straight to your inbox, click here or email lionesses@thefa.com.
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