Casey Stoney admits she feared for her England career

Casey Stoney feared her England football career was over and was terrified coming out would make her the target for open hostility.

But the Arsenal Ladies defender admits she has been thrilled to receive letters from those who consider her a taboo-breaking inspiration, and the international shelf life she feared had expired could take in a third World Cup campaign this summer.

Stoney, 33 next month, should learn two days before her May 13 birthday whether or not she has been given the nod for Canada 2015 by England head coach Mark Sampson.

Recently picked in the PFA Team of the Year, she looks a strong bet for the 23-woman England squad, albeit for a role on the fringe of the team she once captained.

In her personal life, Stoney could not be happier. Her partner, former Lincoln Ladies player Megan Harris, gave birth to twins Teddy and Tilly last November and the family are settled into life in Harlow.

I didn't know what the response would be. I thought it would be negative and it was completely the opposite - it was overwhelmingly positive.

Harris is the stay-at-home mum, Stoney the mum that goes out to play for Arsenal Ladies and England Women, concurrently juggling an increasing number of ambassadorial roles.

She is more in demand off the pitch than ever before, multiple corporations considering her the perfect role model.

Stoney spoke publicly about being gay for the first time in February 2014, and while she had two years previously been chosen in a newspaper's 'Pink List', making a more formal announcement tested her nerve.

'Petrified'

"When I was initially asked to do a piece, I sat down with my family and my partner and I have to be honest, I was absolutely petrified," Stoney said.

"I didn't know what the response would be. I thought it would be negative and it was completely the opposite - it was overwhelmingly positive.

"Yes I've had a few negatives, and yes I've had a few things sent that were not very nice through the post, but I've got to say that's a rarity. It's been 98-99 per cent positive.”

Religious texts have arrived through the post, decrying gay lifestyles, but Stoney has developed thick skin.

"The fact that people have reached out and said how much it's been supportive to them and helped them, that was all it was about really, to make sure other people didn't feel isolated and lost like I did when I was growing up."

I'm still fighting, I'm still trying and I'm still around. It's up to the manager to make his decisions and you have to respect his opinions.

Stoney lost the England captaincy to Steph Houghton when Sampson took charge at the end of 2013, and felt her grip on a squad place was also slipping.

She said: "I thought once Mark came in and I barely played that my international career was over - not by my choice - but I still feel I'm good enough and fit enough, and I'm doing my best to prove I'm still capable.

"I'm still fighting, I'm still trying and I'm still around. It's up to the manager to make his decisions and you have to respect his opinions."