Startup looking the business as England select Charlton Athletic goalkeeper

Katie Startup is part of the England under-19 squad in Finland today – but the Charlton Athletic goalkeeper is no stranger to international football.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper has played for the Three Lions since she was 15.

England will find out their opponents for the elite qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s under-19 Championship today.

“It always feels like the first time you have been called up – you don’t get used to it,” said Startup, who joined in the summer from Chelsea.

“You don’t take it for granted. Every time it is such a huge honour. I’ve been lucky to go away with England at different age groups to a lot of different events. I had the under-17 Euros in Belarus and the under-17 World Cup in Jordan. They were unbelievable experiences for someone of my age.

“I knew my chance to be included in the under-19s was coming up – but it still depends on your performances.”

Startup had been in Chelsea’s development squad but spent last season on loan at Gillingham.

She has kept seven clean sheets in all competitions for the Addicks, who top the Women’s Premier League Southern Division.

“I’m young and want to get as much game time as I possibly can against high-level opposition,” said Startup. “I talked to Riteesh [Mishra] the manager and I felt it was a really positive environment.

“It’s a big ambition of the club to win the league and cups they are in. It is a good fit.

“It’s been brilliant for me so far. I’ve had a lot of game time and the girls made me feel so welcome. We’re top of the league going into the Christmas break. Hopefully we can do the business and win it.

“We have got the ability and got the belief. Everything is in place off the pitch for tier two football – now it is down to us on the pitch.”

Startup’s long-term plan would still be to make the grade at Chelsea FC Ladies. They compete in Women’s Super League 1 – the highest level of the domestic game.

“I’m still in and around Chelsea,” explained Startup. “I get training from there. There is still a bit of a connection – but my primary club is Charlton.

“Making it at Chelsea is absolutely what I want. Any female footballer wants to get to the top leagues. But I’m aware I’m only 18 and that it was hard to break into that sort of level.

“I’m really happy at Charlton and working my way up. If we get promoted then we’ll be in WSL 2.”

Maidstone-raised Startup started playing football at 10.

“It was at lunchtime at school with some of my friends,” she said. “No-one wanted to go in goal, so I did it and turned out to be pretty good.

“After that I got picked up by a local team, Meridian Girls FC. Then I went into Gillingham’s youth team. That’s when I first got introduced to the England set-up.

“I’ve just finished my A-levels in the summer. I’m taking a gap year, just working and doing a lot of coaching with some local girls sides.

“I’m giving my all to football this year and seeing how I improve.”