Maisie Symonds stunned by England call-up

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Longest-serving Albion player receives her first senior Lioness call-up.

2025-03-25T18:00+00:00

Albion have their first three Lionesses in the senior England set-up for the first time. 📸 Paul Hazlewood.

Maisie Symonds admits she was ‘overwhelmed’ when England head coach Sarina Wiegman called to invite her to the next Lionesses camp.

The 23-year-old midfielder was at home and ‘feeling a bit sorry for myself’ after Albion had lost 3-2 to Leicester City in the WSL the previous day.

“I had no energy and felt proper let down after the Leicester result,” she admitted. “When Sarina rang it came up as an unknown number and I thought it was a scam but I picked up and she said, “Hey Mais, I’d like you to come to the next camp!”

Maisie Symonds is Albion's longest-serving player since joining the club in 2021 📸 Paul Hazlewood.

‘I was bit overwhelmed. I almost asked her “are you sure?” but that wouldn’t have filled her with much confidence! Then I thought I was going to be sick. I told my mum, and it sounded like she was having a panic attack then I told my dad and sister and brothers, and everyone was crying and crying. To be honest, it took me a bit of time to process it.

“But I’m buzzing and when the news came out on Tuesday everyone at the club was so pleased for me and it’s such a nice feeling to have everyone on my side."

Symonds has played at every age group for England and will be joined in the Lionesses' squad by Albion teammates Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris. England face Belgium in a Nations League double header next month with the home game at Bristol City's Ashton Gate on 4 April.

Guro Bergsvand congratulates Maisie Symonds in her first senior England call-up 📸 Paul Hazlewood

She added, “It’s great that Fran [Kirby] and Keets [Nikita Parris] are in the squad as well, they can tell me what to expect and look forward to but I can’t wait to go and see what it’s all about and try to impress and see what happens.”

Symonds is Albion’s longest serving player, having made her debut under former England head coach Hope Powell in 2020/21. She had made 70 appearances in all competitions for Albion.