Friday 5 December 2014 18:07, UK
Sue Smith insists England need to build on the boost of seeing the first women's international at the new Wembley Stadium by developing football at grassroots level.
England Women’s historic friendly against Germany ended in disappointing defeat to the European champions but Smith feels there is reason for encouragement.
The high profile clash took place in front of a crowd of more than 45,000, beating the previous record for a home women’s international by over 15,000.
England International and Doncaster Rovers Belles midfielder, Smith insists this has built an excitement around the women's game and it is important that the right strategies are now employed.
"It's showed that there is an appetite for womens football. I think to get 45,000 at Wembley was fantastic. It's our biggest crowd ever and I think we have to keep that. We need to try and get more if we can. The fact that it's more on and there's more media coverage is helping."
"I think from starting at grassroots we need more girls, playing at school, playing at club level and when they come through making sure they're obviously technically and tactically and aware as they should be at that level."
The FA's requirements for England players and what they should show excellence in was recently released in a report and Smith believes these guidielines could prove to be useful.
"In the women's game because we're still developing. We want to be linked with the men as much as we can. That helps us. We need that structure and things to follow. I think good coaches follow that structure."
Smith went on to add her former teammate Karen Carney should be voted for in the Sportswomen of the month award.
"I have to go for my ex-teammate Karen Carney. I've played football with her at England for a good number of years, to win 100 caps, she's only 27, so she's still got so many caps to earn. A fantastic player."
