Symonds: I’m proud of my Brighton journey

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Maisie Symonds reflects on her Albion journey after England call-up.

Heather Miller

2025-04-03T12:00+01:00

Maisie Symonds is ready to make an impression on the Lioness squad. 📸 Kyle Hemsley

Maisie Symonds has said she is 'proud' of her journey with Albion so far as sets her sights on making her England debut after receiving her first call-up to the senior squad.

"I feel really proud to have come through at Brighton,” she said. “I've built that up myself and I've worked with a lot of different managers and a lot of different players.

“To come through at Brighton and then get an opportunity to come onto the senior camp, I feel really proud to have done that.

Maisie Symonds signs for Albion in June 2021 📸 James Boardman

"It's been a wild ride the last few years. I just think back on those days a few years ago and where Brighton's come now, but also where I've come as a player. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but looking back and seeing where I am right now, I feel proud.”

The 22-year-old admitted she wasn’t expecting the call from Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman, but is enjoying her initial few days at St George's Park.

"It was just a normal evening at home. I was in a bit of a bad mood, and I was about to review the game from the day before [against Leicester City]. I had an unknown caller coming through and I wasn't going answer, but I just answered and waited for someone to speak in case it was a scam.

"Then Sarina just said, "Hello, Maisie, it's Sarina," and I couldn't get words out to reply to her. I just kept saying, 'Thank you', I almost said, 'Are you sure?!' Since then, it's just been like a whirlwind.

"It feels like it's happened very fast this whole week leading into camp, after finding out the news and getting the call, and now all of a sudden I'm here.

"I'm still meeting and getting to know everyone, it's a lot right now, but I'm so happy to be here.”

A special phone call for @SymondsMaisie. 🥰📞 pic.twitter.com/lM0ItowDjM
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) March 26, 2025

Symonds acknowledged the impact, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris and the wider Albion squad have had on her individual development in her journey to the senior national team.

"They've helped me so much this season because I've got those players around me every day demanding the standards that they see and have worked with all their careers.

Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris have been big influences in Maisie Symonds career this season. 📸 Paul Hazlewood

"They demand a lot from me, and, in return, I demand a lot from them as well. I've learned so much this season working with the pair of them and other players who have come in over the summer as well.

"It feels like a very exciting time to be part of this England team and to come in, witness it and see world-class players around me is such an exciting time.

"I'll be led by a lot of great leaders within the team, but I also see myself as a leader and, hopefully, I'll be someone who can be like that within this group as well. I'll be picking everyone's brains."

.@SymondsMaisie making @LilKeets' day! 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @Lionesses 🦁 pic.twitter.com/7UvmHEXuEc
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) March 25, 2025

Nikita Parris recently went viral on social media following her reaction of Maisie's call-up to the senior squad. The Albion youngster went on to discuss the standards both Parris and Fran Kirby set in training everyday in Lancing.

"So many people have asked me about that video, but that reaction from Nikita, you can feel that she's genuinely really happy for me and she's that type of person, both her and Fran. They're always people who are genuinely happy and giving me good feedback or bad feedback, whatever I need in that moment, it feels like they've got my best interest.

"To come onto camp and have those people here, I know they're going be challenging me and pushing me, but also there to support me when I need them."