Women's FA Cup semi-final: Bethany England wants Tottenham to 'continuously push for silverware'

Spurs captain Bethany England knows what it takes to win trophies – but being in the Women's FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham is new territory.

England had a winning streak with former club Chelsea, claiming four league titles and two FA Cups during a successful seven-year spell.

Tottenham were not even competing in the Championship when England won their first Women's Super League title, but their rise has been meteoric and the striker hopes she can guide them all the way to Wembley.

They will face Leicester City in the Women's FA Cup semi-final on Sunday (12:00 GMT) with both teams aiming to reach a Wembley final for the first time in their club's history.

Following promotion to the Premier League in 2019, Tottenham have improved both on and off the pitch, but progress has not always been smooth. She arrived in England in January last year with the club in relegation and her goals helped keep the team alive.

This season, under new coach Robert Villahamn, they have moved up the table and England say they are in a position the club will want to get used to in the future.

“We started this season on a different level than we did last year,” England told BBC Sport.

He added, “We are in a much better position in the league and our performance was better. We just want to continue improving the way we play.”

“It's the club's ambition to make this a permanent thing. We're not here just to make up the numbers.

“Tottenham is a big club and they are definitely doing their best to be in the top four [in the WSL]. You can see progress in such a short period of time.

“From now on, we want to be in a position where we are constantly competing for trophies, constantly making the later rounds of cup competitions and trying to win everything we can for this football club.”

She had to wait to make her mark this year following hip surgery, but England says she is now “really proud” to be part of a team making history in the competition.

“The first game of the season at Stamford Bridge, even though we lost that game, was comprehensive and there were definitely moments we could have had. It set the tone for the rest of the season,” he said. England.

“Watching the way the girls put in such a brave performance and go into matches without showing fear… I think that's the biggest thing we can see from this season. The players are starting to express themselves and play more freely.

“It has always been an exciting year for us. The club has brought in great staff and very knowledgeable people. It has shown in our performance and we have been able to play much better quality football.”

“There has been a huge transformation of the club from top to bottom. We are giving the fans, who pay their hard-earned money to come and watch us every week, something to enjoy and something to believe in. We know the heartache this club has had.”

Tottenham's reward for beating WSL leaders Manchester City was to set up a showdown with Leicester City, who like Tottenham have never reached this stage of the competition before.

With last year's finalists Manchester United and Chelsea facing off in the other semi-final, it is a great opportunity for both clubs to progress.

“Everyone thinks it's great [to have a new finalist guaranteed]“That's what I agree with, but I can imagine Leicester were thinking exactly the same thing when the draw came out,” England said.

“It was the same teams that won the title because they know how to do it and are at the top of their game. It is now up to us to challenge them and put them in a difficult situation. I think it will be exciting for all the fans. .

“The team needs to stay put. We can get stuck in the dangerous zone of thinking we've already reached the final because it's Leicester. But they've shown their resilience this season, just as we have.”

“It's going to be a battle and we've got to make sure we're prepared for it and not get ahead of ourselves. If we've already put all our energy into thinking we're there, then we've already lost.”