Tottenham captain Bethany England is well versed in winning the FA Cup - but to lift the crown with Spurs this month would represent a different kind of achievement.

The north Londoners have taken the scenic route to Wembley, to say the least, coming from behind to beat Manchester City on penalties before a dramatic extra-time turnaround against Leicester. That's after England returned from injury with a decisive brace to overturn Sheffield United from 2-0 down earlier in the competition, but then nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

After overcoming so many stiff tests in dramatic fashion in recent months, there's a sense of the inevitable about Spurs as they prepare to face Manchester United in the final on May 12. However, serial winner England told Daily Star Sport she won't be relying on destiny to get her side past the finish line ahead of the Red Devils.

"I feel by saying it's fate, it's like, 'this is our last-chance saloon'. And I feel our trajectory and the way the club is going, we're showing we're definitely taking strides to become a team that's pushing more against the top four," said England, who has partnered with Virgin Media O2 for Skin Cancer Awareness Month to spread the importance of sun safety.

"And ideally I don't want this to just be a one-off. I want it to become the norm that Tottenham are forever challenging and constantly in contention for cup finals. But I can appreciate how it can seem like fate."

England acknowledged the shootout win over Super League leaders City - which came only a few months after Spurs lost 7-0 to the same opponents - and the character her squad showed in avenging that loss. She and Tottenham are now looking to do the same against United, with whom they drew 2-2 less than a fortnight ago following a controversial injury-time equaliser for the Reds.

Having already won two FA Cups and four top-flight titles during her days at Chelsea, the most expensive women's transfer between two English clubs is out to make more history at Wembley. And England is a keen campaigner for skin cancer awareness after her grandfather - whom she described as a "big part of her life" - died from the illness during the pandemic.

"Me and my [twin sister Laura] spent a lot of time with our grandparents when we were younger," she explained. "And I would always go to the park with my grandad and play football together. So he was a big part of me just being outdoors a lot as a kid and enjoying sport.

"Dare I say it, he was a massive Man United fan. He was always watching football, he would watch every league - French, German, Spanish, you name it - [and it] probably did my nan's head in. And he was just a great person to have in my life."

O2 has partnered with Green People to produce a phone accessory that has an emergency supply of sun cream attached to limit the risk of harmful UV rays. Given her close attachment to the cause, England went on to say skin cancer awareness is something she'll keep advocating for in an effort to ensure as few people as possible experience her heartbreak.

Speaking of rays, the 29-year-old is eyeing up a trip to Bora Bora as her ideal summer getaway if she gets the chance this summer. And hopefully with another FA Cup gong in tow.

"Even for my honeymoon, one place I've always wanted to go was Bora Bora [in French Polynesia]," she said. "It's always one of those destinations that feel so magical and very quiet. One of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences."

The same can't be said for a win at Wembley this month given her existing credentials. It was of course the London cathedral where England (who was an unused substitute) celebrated an extra-time victory over Germany to lift the Euro 2022 title and end her country's long wait for silverware.

It's been a similar wait for Tottenham, albeit not quite as long since the men's team clinched the club's last major trophy in the 2008 League Cup final. The women's team have accrued a collection of more minor gongs climbing the ranks since then, but England is all too aware of what it would mean to the club to beat United and produce some long-awaited winners' medals.

"I think if we won it, obviously it would be amazing for the women's team but also for the [whole] football club," she detailed. "Because ultimately, without the men's support and support from above, the women's team wouldn't be where it is. It's not us and them, we're one collective. I want to win, and that's what I intend to do."

It's that same mentality that has led to England becoming one of her country's most decorated stars, and in some ways, an FA Cup crown with Spurs would be the biggest feat of her club career to date.

The timing couldn't be better for the Barnsley native to write more history, partly in the name of a cause that's so close to her heart. England went on to say she hopes her grandparents are proud of all she's accomplished to date, but it's safe to say in that regard, she's already a champion.