It's not widely known but the England football captain is warming up for the European Championships at home in Sussex.

But, before you start thinking David Beckham has swapped Madrid for the South Coast, hold on. It's not him.

The England captain in question is Faye White, from Horsham, who skippers the women's national team.

It is symptomatic of British sport that we have to add the prefix "women's" when referring to the fairer sex and their sport.

Of course, it would be foolish to suggest women's football is on a par with the men's game but White and her colleagues would love a bit more of the media spotlight.

Next year, England hosts the women's European Championships and Arsenal defender White is hoping success for the national side can promote a sport which is growing fast at grass roots level, particularly in Sussex.

White, who will line up for Arsenal against Charlton in the FA Women's Cup final on Monday, said: "The European Championships start next June and we qualify as hosts. All the top teams like Germany, who are the reigning European champions, Sweden, Norway and Denmark will be coming.

"It is a big stage and it will be a big opportunity to really boost the women's game in this country.

"If England could do well it could be something similar to the rugby world cup, although not on that scale. It would really give young girls something to aspire to."

White has come a long way in the game since starting out at Horsham Ladies and she has enjoyed tremendous success with Arsenal, who have been the dominant force in the women's game for the last few years.

She said: "The personal satisfaction of what I have achieved has been huge. It is undermined by the fact that we are not covered in the media as much as we should be.

"I know the men's game is on a different scale but the fact that you are playing for your country is a big thing, yet there are barriers we are having to work against.

"The coverage we get is not as good as other countries. You go to Sweden and America and it is treated as equal. They see that women are good at football, they have the talent and they give it the recognition it deserves.

"After Sweden reached the women's world cup final, half the population turned out to welcome them home.

"Their star players are often in the press. When you are competing against these players and they get that recognition while you don't, it can be a little demoralising, especially as this is the home of football.

"There is a perception that people don't want to read about women's sport but I don't believe that. Don't get me wrong, I love reading about the men's game but if there was a bit more about Paula Radcliffe or the women's cricketers I would like to read about that as well."

Women's football has come a long way since White started out as a 14-year-old with Horsham, who later became Three Bridges Ladies.

She said: "It was while I was playing for Three Bridges that I was selected for the England squad.

"I was the first player to be picked who wasn't playing regularly in the National Premier League."

White is now semi-professional, combining her football with working for Arsenal as a women's development officer. Among her highlights was winning the domestic treble in 2001.

The Gunners need victory in their final game against Fulham to repeat the men's achievement of winning their league.

Before then, they face fellow title rivals Charlton in the cup final at Loftus Road on Monday (1.00).

She has come a long way since kicking the ball around with brother Steven in the garden at the family home in Horley.

White said: "Nowadays there are lots of girls getting involved at grassroots level. There were less options for me.

"I couldn't play until I was 14 and at that stage I had to play against seniors. Now girls' football has structure and progression so they can work through the age groups."

If you want to watch Faye White in action in the FA Women's Cup Final on Monday, tickets are £3 in advance (£5 on the day) and £1 concessions. They are available from the ticket hotline on 0970 112 1967.