Football Association chief urges England's women to 'think big'
The Football Association's new chief executive Martin Glenn has challenged England's women to 'think big' and believe they can win the World Cup.
England take on Japan in the semi-final of the women's World Cup in Edmonton in the early hours of Thursday morning, and despite it being the furthest the Lionesses have ever progressed Glenn said there was every reason for confidence.
All FA staff, numbering up to 900, have been asked to attend work on Wednesday wearing England shirts and will be allowed to turn up late the following day to allow staff to watch the semi-final, which kicks off at 00.30 BST.
Glenn, who will be attending Sunday's final in Vancouver whether England make it there or not, told Press Association Sport: "We are in the best side of the draw and we have beaten Japan a number of times, we have a pretty good record against them, so there is nothing to fear in that respect.
"We are in good form, have a very good manager who has had a good set-up for each game and 23 out of 24 players have played some part in at least one of the matches.
"We have to think big: why wouldn't we win and get to the final, and once they are there why wouldn't we win it?"
Glenn said the success of the England women's team should provide another spur for growth in the game, and said it was also due to the FA's investment in the national football centre at St George's Park in Burton where half of all FA employees are now based.
He added: "It's a very good example of St George's Park working well. We have invested in ways of setting teams up for tournaments and the squad have spent a lot of time together.
"Participation is very important and clearly international success is a big stimulus and inspiration for participation. The 2012 Olympics helped put women's football on the map and girls and women's football is the biggest growth area in participation."
