Steele: Teammates' appreciation means more than anything after England call-up

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Goalkeeper has joined up with England squad for this international break.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-03-23T22:30+00:00

Jason Steele was dragged over by his teammates to take the crowd's cheers after the game against Liverpool. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

Jason Steele says that the reaction of his teammates to the news of his England call-up will be a lasting memory of a whirlwind few days.

Danny Welbeck pushed Jason towards the North Stand to take the cheers of the Amex crowd after the 2-1 victory over Liverpool, but the players had already shown their appreciation in the build-up to the match.

“I came into the pre-match meeting and my teammates gave me a big round of applause,” he said after Saturday's game. “That means more to me than anything. I think that shows what you mean to people. It was very emotional.

“That to me is more than anything I could ever achieve in football. I think being a proper good fella and a good person is way more important than anything else and I think that showed.”

Jason Steele has made 63 appearances for Albion. 📸 by Sam Stephenson.

After getting the good news of his inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s squad, his father was the first person he told. “He was very proud,” Jason said. “He's been part of it.

“My mum and my wife have been really instrumental in my whole career. They've celebrated some amazing times, picked me up when I was low, and that's what it's all about, life.

“I had a lot of nice messages from a lot of friends, family, previous team mates. It was really nice.

“I think there's two people that helped shape a lot of my career, [former Albion goalkeeping coach] Ben Roberts and Roberto [de Zerbi]. I spoke to them both yesterday. Special people, special humans. They recognise a lot of things that not many people do recognise in a footballer and a man.

Jason Steele was a key part of the team that went onto qualify for the Europa League, with the keeper starting in our 1-0 win over Marseille at home. 📸 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I owe a lot to this football club, a lot to the chairman, a lot to the previous managers. And I'll always thank them from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity they've given me.

“But at the same time, I've worked hard myself. You have to take the opportunities. I think sometimes you have to give yourself a little bit of credit as well.

“Now I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone, meeting all the England staff, all the players. Looking forward to going there and getting to work straight away.”