'The Lionesses could end 57 years of hurt - the fires they lit will burn on'

19 August 2023 , 16:45

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England celebrate their amazing semi-final win over home nation Australia (Image: The FA via Getty Images)

One of my recurring anxiety dreams takes me back to a freezing-cold playing field and the ritual humiliation of team selection. I was a chubby, bespectacled kid who got bullied terribly at school, so every single PE lesson would fill me with dread.

Standing in line, always the last to be picked for hockey or netball by the captain – it was a living nightmare. I can only remember a handful of ­occasions when I actually had fun on a sports pitch.

And that was the year a young woman supply teacher got us playing football instead of “girl” sports. I was made goalie – and in the first match we played, I somehow managed to save two goals and my team won! It was a total revelation. Could I actually be good at a sport after all? For a few glorious weeks I was first pick to be goalie and I began looking forward to games.

But then our stuffy PE mistress returned from sick leave and the inspiring stand-in was gone. Football was cancelled, netball and hockey returned. I was Last Resort Rachael again and that footie spark was extinguished for ever. It never re-ignited and I can’t pretend that I love the Beautiful Game now. But like everyone else, I’ve been swept along by the energy and excitement of the Lionesses’ World Cup journey.

Ella Toone celebrates her goal during the semi-final against Australia (Getty Images)

By the time you read this, history could have been made today. Those inspirational young women may have ended 57 years of hurt and done what the men have consistently failed to do.

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But if it IS all over and Spain have prevailed, well, our Lionesses certainly aren’t losers – and every image of an excited schoolkid in an England shirt cheering them on during the tournament is proof of that. Because it is evidence that, thanks to their brilliance and positivity, a spark has been lit.

A young girl struggling with body image and bullying suddenly asking herself, “What if…?” A lad being moulded by the passion and pride of powerful female role models. Now it’s up to the FA and the Government to fan those flames – by ensuring that all schools have girls’ and boys’ football teams, levelling the playing field for future female stars to shine.

After that thrilling semi-final, England manager Sarina Wiegman asked herself, “Am I in a fairy tale or something?” It wasn’t a fairy tale – because we’ve all been living the Lionesses’ incredible dream. And, even if today has no happy ending, the fires they’ve lit will surely burn on, to warm young hearts for ever.

Rachael Bletchly