Lionesses' World Cup bid built on northern grit as Yorkshire cohort plot QF spot
The Lionesses ' have told how their bid for World Cup glory was 'made in Yorkshire'.... and boosted by some true northern grit.
Captain Millie Bright, 29, spent her early playing career with Doncaster Rovers Belles, famously known as the 'Donny Belles'. She has built up a special friendship with Rachel Daly, 29, from Harrogate and also forged a close bond with Barnsley-born Beth England, who played in Sheffield growing up, where teammate Esme Morgan was also born and bred.
Forward Beth England told how both she and Millie both played for the 'Donny Belles'. They are now at Chelsea. Beth, 29, recalled their path to glory saying: "I’ve played with Millie most of my life now in all teams.
"I also played with my twin sister at Sheffield, so it’s been nice to have someone playing football with me throughout my journey.
"It’s been nice to share my journey with Millie, a fellow northerner. We’ve been able to achieve so much together on the pitch at different teams.”
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Beth told the FA's 'Lionesses Down Under: connected by EE': “She’d run through a brick wall for any of us, so we know she’s always there and she’s got our back.”
Of the 23-strong squad set for the last 16 showdown with Nigeria tomorrow, 12 are from the North. Rochdale-born Keira Walsh, 26, is now back in training after her injury blow against Denmark in the second group game.
Ella Toone, 29, is from Wigan, midfielder Katie Zelem, 27, from Oldham, while Niamh Charles, 22, is from the Wirral and Alex Greenwood, 29, was born in Liverpool.
Midfielder Georgia Stanway, 24, from Barrow, Cumbria, has spoken proudly of her Northern roots and is a big Newcastle Utd fan. Barcelona star Lucy Bronze, 31, was born in Berwick and played most of her junior career in Northumberland.
Ex Sheffield Utd star Nick Montgomery, now manager of the Central Coast Mariners in New South Wales, where the Lionesses are based, met manager Sarina Wiegman and the team.
He told the Mirror: "I grew up in Yorkshire, the people understand hard work is needed to succeed in sport; you see that in the England side."
If Yorkshire had been a country, its athletes would have finished 12th with seven gold, two silver and three bronze in the London 2012 Olympics medal table of nations.
Millie Bright and Rachel Daly of England celebrate following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match against China (Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Jordan Nobbs, 30, who was born in Stockton-on-Tees and whose dad Keith played for Hartlepool, also joked about the northern roots of the team, saying there was 'something in the water' in her native North east which produced footballers.
Millie's teammates are hoping that the World Cup final on August 20 could turn into an epic birthday bash for their captain, who turns 30 the next day. They have a girl band called 'The Meringue-tangs' all ready to celebrate.
Man Utd captain Katie is the Lionesses' DJ; the band is made up of her, Millie, Rachel, and Keira. "I'm not sure where the name came from," said Katie. "I think we had meringues for dessert. We are really good at 'We are Family' and 'Whitney Houston'."
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Millie, born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, is likely to be joined by her family if we go through to the quarter finals today/tomorrow (Mon).
Meanwhile Beth has her mum flying 10,000 miles to see her - with some supplies of beans. Lisa England is taking a Heinz Beanz suitcase so her daughter can enjoy some of her favourite beans on toast.
She said: “I’m so proud of Bethany and the entire team for getting through to the last 16. And when Heinz suggested she might be missing both her mum and her favourite pre-match meal, I jumped at the chance to bring Bethany her favourite beans. Even in her younger years she would have beans on toast as a pre-match meal, and now it’s stuck with her.
“She’s a total home bird, so she'll be over the moon that I'm able to bring her some home comforts." Lucy Cooke, Marketing Manager, at Heinz Beanz joked: “We’d hate for Bethany not to have her favourite pre-match beans on toast before the next big game."
Nigerian star Uchenna Kanu told how their players were grateful for the 60,000 dollars (£47,000) each will receive from Fifa for reaching the last 16. "It will make a huge difference to our lives and to our families," she said.
Millions will tune in on Monday morning to see the Lionesses in action. Almost 58m watched their resounding 6-1 victory over China in Adelaide on Tuesday, 53.9m in China, another 3.8m in the UK.
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