Jubilant Lionesses enjoy post-match celebrations drinking beer and dancing outside their hotel after beating Germany in historic Euro 2022 win – ahead of Trafalgar Square victory parade today
- Super-sub Chloe Kelly, 24, settled the match beyond doubt in her first ever international goal at Wembley
- It had looked as though the final was going to the dreaded penalties before Kelly exploded into action
- Lionesses had never doubted themselves and powered to victory on the world stage watched by millions
- The result sent the Lionesses into raptures and saw them crash a press conference – singing ‘its coming home’
- Kelly said after the match in an interview ‘As a young girl watching women’s football to this – it’s amazing’
England’s heroic Lionesses were congratulated by the Queen and then partied late into the night – including wild dancing at Wembley and in the car park outside their team hotel – after making history and beating Germany 2-1 at the Euro 2022 final with more celebrations with fans due today.
The 87,192-strong attendance in the stadium smashed the record for either a men’s or women’s Euros final saw the team end more than 50 years of hurt by delivering the nation’s first major football trophy since 1966.
In extra time Chloe Kelly fired them into the history books after beating Germany in a tight final that captivated 15million at home and tens of thousands watching in pubs and fan parks across the country.
Today thousands of fans will be able to celebrate England’s Euros win with the players in London later. Up to 7,000 supporters will have the opportunity to join the team for a daytime event hosted by veteran Lioness Alex Scott in Trafalgar Square, where fans were dancing in the fountains last night.
Scores of people watched the England game from the square on Sunday evening, with several celebrating in the fountains after the team secured victory over Germany after extra time.
Supporters will be able to gain free entry on a first-come first-served basis from 11am on Monday, and can enjoy live music from DJ Monki while tournament highlights are shown on screens.
The players and their manager, Sarina Wiegman, will take part in a Q&A session before lifting the trophy.
The event has been organised by the Greater London Authority, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Westminster Council, and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 12.40pm.It is expected to end at 2pm.
The England Women’s team arrive back at their team hotel as they celebrate their win against Germany and dance in the car park
Leah Williamson and Millie Bright of England lift the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Trophy after their sides victory during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final
England captain Liam Williamson enjoys a beer and salutes her teammates in the victorious Wembley dressing room last night
Mary Earps dances on the table as players of England interrupt the press conference with Sarina Wiegman singing Three Lions
Spectators at Wembley included the Duke of Cambridge, whose seven-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte had earlier filmed a ‘good luck’ message for the team.
Meanwhile, as many as 15million more were watching around the UK on television – another record for women’s football – including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his children Wilf, two, and seven-month-old Romy.
The Queen led the praise, telling them in a statement ‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations’.
The result sent the Lionesses into raptures, with the victorious women storming into Sarina Wiegman’s post-match press conference singing the Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds anthem Three Lions.
The celebrations continued in the Wembley changing room as the players were seen dancing and laughing – enjoying their historic achievement.
Yesterday’s final was a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by Prince William in the crowd.
But the introduction of Ella Toone looked to have settled it after she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium.
But there was heartbreak minutes later as Magull worked her way into position to equalise, devastating England fans across the country.
With only ten minutes left, the game was left balancing on a knife edge with the ultimate prize at stake.
The stalemate could not be broken, going into another agonising 30 more minutes of extra time which at first had produced nothing more.
But Kelly was not about to let the game go to penalties and picked the biggest stage in the world to produce her first ever international goal.
She dominated German keeper Frohms to propel England to a 2-1 lead and set the game beyond any doubt.
Yesterday in a statement The Queen said the women would go down in history and be icons of sport.
She said: ‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships.
‘It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
‘The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.
‘However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
‘It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’
From left: Ellie Roebuck, Rachel Daly and Beth Mead of England celebrate in the changing room with the Women’s EURO 2022 Trophy
Mary Earps dances on the Press Conference table as players of England interrupt the Press Conference with Sarina Wiegman, the team’s manager, following their win
Mary Earps climbs onto the table as players of England interrupt the Press Conference with Sarina Wiegman
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, embraces Leah Williamson of England after their 2-1 win during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match
The Lionesses ‘gatecrashed’ manager Sarina Wiegman’s press conference singing ‘football’s coming home’
The team sang and danced as they surrounded their manager, their joy at winning unreserved
The Lionesses danced around the press conference table, climbing on top in front of cameras as celebrations continued
The England Women’s team arrive back at their team hotel, drinks in hand, after winning the Euros
After toasting their historic win, the Lionesses head back to their hotel following yesterday’s game
Chloe Kelly walks back into the hotel after taking the team to victory, wearing an England cowboy hat and her medal
The team make their way into the hotel, having spent the evening celebrating their historic win
Dancing next to their bus, the Lionesses return to their hotel having been celebrating their win against Germany
The athletes danced around the trophy with drinks in hand as they celebrated the win from inside the changing rooms
The team of women partied in their changing room at Wembley after winning the Euros against Germany
Cheers! Ellie Roebuck raises a can of Heineken as she toasts to the winning game that saw England take home the trophy
Jubilant scenes from inside the changing room show the group celebrating together after defeating Germany on the pitch
Jess Carter and Fran Kirby of England celebrate with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 trophy in the changing room
Women splash in a fountain in Trafalgar Square as they celebrate England’s win thanks to Chloe Kelly’s final goal
Fans celebrate the final whistle by splashing in Trafalgar Square’s fountains in the capital
The team celebrate their win in the Wembley changing room after taking the Euros victory last night
Bethany England celebrates by lifting the UEFA European Women’s Football Championship trophy
England’s Ellen White lifts the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after winning the Women’s Euro 2022
England’s Chloe Kelly celebrates with fans after winning Women’s Euro 2022 against Germany
England’s Hannah Hampton celebrates after winning Women’s Euro 2022 against Germany
England’s Ella Toone takes a selfie after winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final between England and Germany
England’s Leah Williamson and Millie Bright lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning Euro 2022
Prince William embraces Leah Williamson following the Lionesses’ win during the UEFA Women’s Euro England 2022 final
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, centre right, shakes hands with England’s Lucy Bronze during a medal ceremony
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin hand the trophy to England’s Leah Williamson
The Duke of Cambridge congratulates England’s Beth Mead alongside UEFA’s Chief of Women’s football Nadine Kessler
She’s done it! Chloe Kelly, 24, roars with joy as she celebrates third goal which settled the Euro 2022 final against Germany
Rachel Daly of England celebrates following the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final as the Lionesses take home the win
Lauren Hemp of England celebrates the team’s win as she lies down in confetti covering the pitch
England players celebrate on the confetti-scattered grass in Wembley stadium following their Euros win against Germany
England’s players celebrate with the trophy after their win in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final football match
Chloe Kelly of England takes photos with family following the England win last night
Alessia Russo and Ella Toone of England, wearing a bucket hat, celebrate with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Trophy
An England fan holds a ‘Millie Bright You’re My Idol’ sign in the stands as England celebrate winning
England’s Nikita Parris and teammates celebrate after winning the women’s Euro 2022 tournament at Wembley Stadium
England’s Leah Williamson and Millie Bright lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates following their win
Leah Williamson of England Women greets match referee Kateryna Monzul after the game
England celebrates following the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final
Ella Toone and Alessia Russo of England celebrate with the trophy during the UEFA Women’s Euro England 2022 final
Ella Toone and Alessia Russo of England celebrate after taking home the trophy
England fans in Boxpark Croydon celebrate after they won the final against Germany
England fans celebrate in the stands after they won the women’s Euro 2022 after being held 1-1 until extra time
Fans celebrate the final whistle in Trafalgar Square, London, after watching the screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final held at Wembley Stadium
Hannah Hampton, Alex Greenwood and Lotte Wubben-Moy following the England win
Beth Mead of England celebrates lifting the UEFA European Women’s Football Championship trophy
Top of the world: Chloe Kelly waves her jersey round her head after she scored the crucial winning goal with minutes to spare
England’s Chloe Kelly, top, celebrates with teammates after scoring her side’s second goal
Millie Bright kisses her medal as England’s players celebrate after their win
The Lionesses celebrate their win on the pitch at Wembley Stadium following the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany
The England team celebrate with the trophy in front of the row of photographers
Pride of Britain: Lioness Chloe Kelly celebrates with teammate Jill Scott after the important their goal in extra time
Pure joy for England as they realise the third goal has catapulted them into the history books against the German team
England head coach Sarina Wiegman celebrates with the trophy following the win
England manager Sarina Wiegman celebrates after winning Women’s Euro 2022 finals after the extraordinary victory
Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England celebrate with Beth Mead after the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final
Fran Kirby of England celebrates with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Trophy after their side’s victory
Ellen White celebrates after winning Women’s Euro 2022 after yellow cards peppered a highly-energetic match
England’s Ellen White celebrates with the trophy following this evening’s win against Germany
England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman (centre) celebrates with the trophy following the team’s win
Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly of England celebrate following victory
Fans celebrate the final whistle in Trafalgar Square with cheers for England’s Lionesses
‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships.
It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.
However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’
The Spice Girls praised the Lionesses for their ‘girl power’ following their historic win against Germany.
Geri Horner and Mel C were at the game last night and posed in England t-shirts for photos celebrating the win.
The 48-year-old and 49-year-old Wannabe hitmakers nailed sports chic in football attire as they watched England’s Lionesses beat Germany.
Melanie flashed a peace sign as she and Geri posed for a selfie, which was posted to Instagram by the Watford-native alongside the caption: ‘At the final! @lionesses !’
The British girl group reshared a photo of the England women’s football squad celebrating on Twitter, writing: ‘Congratulations @Lionesses True GirlPower right there.’
Scoring the final goal of the match, Kelly’s sheer joy saw her rip her jersey off and wave it round her head – and get a yellow card for her trouble.
She said after the match: ‘Oh my God – look at them. It’s amazing! This is unreal!’
Kelly then abandoned the post-match interview to sing Sweet Caroline with her teammates.
When she returned she said: ‘This is what dreams are made of, as a young girl watching women’s football to this – it’s amazing. These girls are special.’
It had been almost the perfect start for England as Fran Kirby found Ellen White but she headed it straight to Frohms in the first few moments of the match.
Later England put Germany under extreme pressure in the 18th minute after a series of corners threatened on goal, with Lucy Bronze’s shot nearly squeezing past Frohms.
The Lionesses had peppered her goal with chances throughout the first half and fans may have been forgiven for wondering how they were not at least 2-0 up.
But Germany were not without their own threat, with one effort prompting a desperate goalmouth scramble to deny them a goal.
Spice Girls Geri Horner and Mel C celebrating at the women’s Euro 2022 final
‘Congratulations @Lionesses True GirlPower right there,’ the Spice Girls wrote on Instagram
Fans erupt into cheers as the game ends and women take the cup, having won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final
Crowds went wild as the Lionesses scored a second goal during the penalties
Supporters cheer on England’s second goal being shown on the big screen as they watch the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final football match
Fans at Newcastle’s Central Park celebrate England’s win at the end of the match following Chloe Kelly’s victory goal
Spectators roar with joy as the game closes with an England win
Deadlock broken! Ella Toone of England celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match
Ella Toone had a near-instant impact as she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms to score
Harry Kane was at Wembley Stadium to cheer on the England Women and was spotted posing up for a fan for a selfie
Fans in Trafalgar Square scream with joy as Toone’s goal goes in and puts England ahead at last in the huge football match
Supporters react to England’s opening goal being shown on the big screen as they watch the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final football match being played at Wembley Stadium between England and Germany, at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square
An England fan displays a banner in Trafalgar Square after Chloe Kelly scored their second goal
England fans celebrate England’s Ella Toone scoring their first goal as they watch the match at Boxpark Croydon
A crucial save by England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps stops Germany’s defender Marina Hegering’s shot in a period of pressure
Battling first half: Germany’s Sara Dabritz and England’s Georgia Stanway fight for the ball in the Women’s Euro 2022 final
England’s Ellen White in action with Germany’s Lena Oberdo in the early minutes of the game which almost saw an England goal
Dozens of ticketless fans were watching the match on their phones outside Wembley Stadium.
Supporters entering the stadium before 5pm had been largely positive and calm, with very little trouble for police.
However, those without tickets were still in the area after kick-off, opting to watch the match in nearby pubs or on their phones.
Craig Stephens, 58, and his wife Julie, 54, from Twickenham, south-west London, said: ‘We just wanted to be around Wembley while the game was on, it really is historic.
‘We’re really excited and hope England can do well, but we know that Germany has been a dangerous opponent in the past.’
This morning the Lionesses’ two biggest Royal fans had wished them luck and the future king was even there in person to cheer them from the stands.
Nerves at Trafalgar Square as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany hits extra time
England fans react while watching the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany in extra time
It was almost the perfect start for England but the ball went straight to the German keeper who made an easy save
England expects: The Lionesses pose up for their team picture before kick-off the focus etched onto some of their faces
Pride of Britain: The Lionesses belt out the National Anthem moments before kick-off in front of Prince William in the crowd
England fans celebrate England’s Ella Toone scoring their first goal as they watch the match at Boxpark Croydon
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (L) and Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, applaud prior to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final football match between England and Germany
England fans ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London, awaiting the historic match
The Duke of Cambridge posted a video to his official Twitter account this morning in which he and Charlotte shared their support for the Lionesses.
‘We both want to wish the lionesses the best of luck tonight, you’ve done amazingly well in the competition and we’re rooting for you all the way!’ Will exclaimed, before Charlotte chipped in: ‘Good luck, I hope you win. Bye!’
As the game got underway Prime Minister Boris Johnson showed he was tuning in with Romy and Wilfred with a post on Twitter.
Tens of thousands of fans had been seen around Wembley Stadium hours before the women’s Euros final as the nation prepared for the match yesterday.
Supporters turned out in force to cheer on the Lionesses by flying England flags, painting their faces red and white and donning Team shirts to cheer on the players as they prepared to face Germany at 5pm.
Excitement was seen throughout the sea of England shirts and flags, blowing horns and clappers.
Many of those attending live and in pubs and bars and live screens set up across the country were in family groups, made up of young women and girls.
Fans in Trafalgar Square, London, before a screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final held at Wembley Stadium, London
A spectacular opening ceremony from Becky Hill set the stage for the Lionesses to make history at Wembley Stadium
Conservative leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak celebrates England’s first goal as he watches the Women’s Euro 2022 Final with fans at the Bishops Mill pub
Prime Minister Boris Johnson showed he was tuning in with his young children Romy and Wilfred with a post on Twitter
England’s striker Ellen White (L) fights for the ball with Germany’s midfielder Lena Oberdorf during the hectic first 30 minutes
England’s Lauren Hemp blazes a trail during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London, this evening
Players of England look on during the warm up prior to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31
Fans were seen waiving England flags as they come to cheer on the Lionesses’ at Boxpark Wembley before the match
An England supporter painted with a red cross and wearing a British flag was seen screaming in delight as she arrived for the final of the Women’s Euro 2020 soccer match between England and Germany at Wembley stadium in London
Fans arriving at Wembley Way before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final before the action kicked off at 5pm
A fan is seen wearing a Lionesses’ mask in support of the England team outside the Wembley Stadium before the match
A family prepare to watch the action at Wembley Stadium while the young girl dressed as a lion holds a sign saying the Lionesses’ are ‘roarsome’ and another a woman stands nearby
Among the crowd was Emma Newman, 21, a student from Whitby, North Yorkshire, who said: ‘It’s a really nice atmosphere, people are just here to see the match and nothing else.
‘It’s right that fans aren’t causing trouble, these women are inspiring and deserve to be supported properly. I just hope they can get the job done.’
The Women’s team qualified for their first Euros final since 2009 on Wednesday night, as they demolished Sweden 4-0 at Bramall Lane.
England, who have never won the tournament, played their first and last final at home in 1984.
Back then, some players’ husbands were unable to join the crowd of 2,500 at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road ground because they could not afford the transport.
The game only had halves of 35 minutes instead of 45 and a smaller ball than that played with by men was used. #
England fans outside Wembley Stadium have been getting louder ahead of the Euro 2022 final. Groups of young women were chanting ‘It’s coming home’, with fans outside pubs and restaurants joining in.
Young children were also seen leading chants as parents followed close behind. A small scattering of police officers, some on horseback, watched fans in the area ahead of kick-off.
The nearby BoxPark was also packed and noisy, with a performance from pop group from S Club 7. Chelsea Women’s football manager Emma Hayes was urging crowds to chant and cheer louder.
England fans made of girls are pictured outside the stadium before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium
Fans at Newcastle’s Central Park watching the Women’s England football team The Lionesses in the Euro 2022 Final against Germany. Pictured: Lia Harker aged 20 from County Durham
Wembley Stadium reflected in the sunglasses of an England fan prior to the UEFA Women’s Euro England 2022 final match between England and Germany
Fans along Wembley Park prior to the UEFA Women’s Euro England 2022 final match
England fans are pictured racing with the nation’s flag outside the stadium before the match kicks off at 5pm
Pictured left to right: Anna Benham, Laura Whitfield, Lia Harker and Megan Crystal watching the Women’s England football Euros final at Newcastle’s Central Park
Fans cheer at Boxpark Wembley before the kick off at 5pm when England faces Germany in the Women’s Euro 2022 final
England fans hold up a sign saying ‘bend it like Peckham FC’ as they are pictured inside the stadium before the match
England fans pose for a photo on Wembley Way ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium
England fans Gracie May, 8, and Amelia Lee, 6 pose on Wembley Way before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley
A woman holds a sign saying English professional footballer Beth Mead is ‘on fire’ and saying ‘your defence is terrified’ among several women also holding up England fans before the kick off with Germany
Fans gather for England v Germany in the Women’s Euro 2022 at Boxpark Wembley before the match
England fans hold up a ‘GOAL!’ sign in the stands before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London
An England fan all dressed up before Women’s Euros final at Wembley Stadium in London
England fan Edith, 11, poses on Wembley Way before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final of England v Germany
A mother and daughter who are attending the final at Wembley together said the England team’s success has ‘helped grow’ women’s football.
Childminder Helen Charlesworth, from Orpington, Kent, said her daughter Darcey, 22, had enjoyed football from the age of eight and started playing with boys as there were no girls’ teams around.
She said: ‘I’m feeling nervous but excited. When we got the tickets last year it was a dream that England would be in the final and now it’s come true.
‘To be at a home tournament is amazing. The team is so strong and there is a real team spirit about them.
‘The fact that the women’s game is growing is amazing. This tournament has definitely helped grow the game and support for it,’ Ms Charlesworth added.
Supporters gather to watch the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final football match being played at Wembley Stadium between England and Germany, at the fan zone in Trafalgar Square
An England fan screams in support prior to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium
A man holds a little girl on his shoulders as she holds a flag for the England team while also having her face painted at Wembley
England fans outside the stadium before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium
Up north, locals flocked into Newcastle’s Central fan zone to watch the Women’s England team take on Germany and were pictured in high spirits donning England shirts and flags.
Anna Benham, 30, an administrator from Newcastle said: ‘I’ve watched every single game and I’m excited for the final. It’s really great to see the support and how the country has got behind them.
‘I’ve came into the centre because it’s a fantastic atmosphere and we can all celebrate together when we win.’
Leah Harker, a 20-year-old sports science student from County Durham said: ‘I’m really excited for the game, I’ve been following along the entire tournament. It’s a really great atmosphere.
‘We’re going to bring it home today. It’s great to see women’s football leading the way and that people are getting behind it.
‘It’ll mean a lot to some people if the women can win the Euros after the men couldn’t.’
England fans in the stands holding match items before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London
Ayuma and Liane, right, kiss as they gather in the fan zone in Trafalgar Square to watch on a big screen
England fans in Trafalgar Square, London before a screening of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final held at Wembley Stadium
Fans arrive this morning to the UEFA Womens Euro 2022 Final football match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium, England
Jake Brown, a 24-year-old engineer from Newcastle said: ‘I watch every England game so I’m looking forward to the final.
‘It’ll be a really good result, I refuse to believe in defeat. It doesn’t matter that it’s women’s football to me. It’s football and it’ll still be a good game.
‘We came out last year for the men’s final and it was a great day so today should also be great.’
Charlotte Glass, a 23-year-old stay at home mother from Newcastle said: ‘I can’t wait for the game.
‘We came out to watch it with everyone else as it’s so much better than watching it from home.
‘We did something similar for the men’s Euros last year and it was great. I really hope they win.
‘If they do, more people will get into women’s football which would be great to see. People are already supporting it more after their results this year.’
England’s heroine of the hour: How Chloe Kelly went from the 92 bus and football practice on a gravel pitch in Ealing with her five big brothers to clinching victory for the Lionesses in extra time
By CHRIS WHEELER FOR THE DAILY MAIL and CHAY QUINN FOR MAILONLINE
Chloe Kelly would have found it hard to avoid football growing up. The youngest of seven children embraced the sport from the moment she followed her five brothers to a caged gravel pitch on the Windmill Park Estate.
Kelly was football-mad. As a youngster she even took the 92 bus from Ealing to go to Wembley on FA Cup Final day. Was she there to watch the match? No. She was there to collect a programme.
That yearly pilgrimage helped form the Lioness with the location taking on a whole new meaning yesterday: as she scored the goal at Wembley against Germany to bring England its first piece of footballing silverware since 1966.
‘I don’t think there are many who came up playing in a cage,’ says the 24-year-old. ‘I was always around the cage with the boys as soon as I was allowed, about the age of seven. My brothers included me even though they were older and playing with their friends.
Chloe Kelly, centre, celebrates with Lauren Hemp, left, and Jill Scott after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final for England
As a youngster Kelly took the 92 bus from Ealing to go to Wembley on FA Cup Final day to collect a programme
She suffered injury setbacks in the past few years including a serious ACL injury in 2021
Chloe Kelly has five brothers whom she used to with play football in the cages
‘The whole summer we would get out in the cage early mornings, go back for some food and be straight back there. A few years later, someone melted a bin in the middle. It wasn’t the best, but we had to make do with what we had!
‘Playing cage football really made me the player I am. It added a bit more creativity to my game and the physicality as well.’
Were the brothers protective? ‘Definitely not. They were probably the ones telling everyone to hit me harder. Get used to it. If I was on the floor, they would tell me to get up.
‘They never really felt sorry for me if I was getting knocked about. I think that was the way to go. If they made it easy, you would always think everything is going to come easy in life and that’s not the case. That’s how I’ve got so far today.
‘I was one of them. Looking back, I really appreciate that but less so at the time. I was a bit gutted going home and crying to my mum sometimes.’
Kelly grew up playing in Ealing’s football cages with her five brothers which she credits her physicality and creativity to
Kelly will now go down in historic alongside the likes of Geoff Hurst as having scored in international final for England
Kelly says her formative experiences on her west London estate helped improve her game
Kelly watches elder brother Jack and triplets Ryan, Jamie and Martin play local league football when she is back in west London.
‘Jack still says now that he’s better than me,’ says Kelly who has another brother, Daniel, and sister, Paris. ‘He says, “I’ve taught you everything you know, but not everything I know”. They don’t let me get too carried away. They always keep me grounded and that’s a great thing.’
After being scouted by QPR at a schools tournament – ‘it was my first real game because I was used to playing in the cages’ – Kelly turned professional with Arsenal. She took the bold decision to move to Everton, initially on loan, in 2016 even though it led to homesickness and regular calls to her mum Jane and dad Noel.
The England striker has revealed she often felt homesick after move to Everton in 2016
Kelly was top scorer in the FA WSL when the season was ended prematurely due to pandemic
‘If I hadn’t gone to Everton, I don’t know if I would be in the position I’m in now at City and pushing on in my career,’ she says. ‘I could have been satisfied with sitting on the bench at a top club but I needed minutes under my belt. I needed to show what I was capable of on the pitch, not just the training pitch. I don’t think a lot of people would make that leap of moving to a city I’d never been to before at such a young age.
‘It was very daunting. Because I was such a family girl, I got homesick and every opportunity I got I would be back, but I knew it was the best for my career.’
Kelly was fourth in the Women’s Super League scoring charts with nine goals for Everton when the season was ended. City, who were top at the time but saw Chelsea crowned champions on a points-per-game basis, signed Kelly in July 2020 and she scored an impressive 10 goals and made 11 assists in her first season in Manchester.
‘Once I found out City were interested in me it was a case of, “OK, when can we get it done?”. I can’t wait to get going,’ says Kelly. ‘There are a lot of England internationals here and that was massive for me. If I get another call-up, it’s easier going into that environment by playing with those players day in, day out.
The demons of missing out on England’s 2019 World Cup run have been banished by her heroics in the Euros final
‘I looked at playing with the likes of Steph Houghton and Jill Scott, learning, adding to my game. I’m ambitious and I want to be the best version of myself.’
She only made one appearance in the WSL last season after suffering a heartbreaking ACL injury which jeopardised her ability to compete in this summer’s Euros.
But she roared back and made Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the home tournament.
It was the latest rally back from injury that Kelly had to endure. She made her England debut in November 2018 as a substitute against Austria in a friendly but suffered an ankle injury that required surgery the following February.
It kept her out for six months and out of contention for a place at the 2019 World Cup, where new team-mate Ellen White scored six goals as England reached the semi-finals.
But the demons of missing out on that run have been banished by her heroics in the Euros final yesterday, following up on a spilled ball in the 20th minute of extra time to send England into dreamland.
England’s heroine of the hour: How Chloe Kelly went from the 92 bus and football practice on a gravel pitch in Ealing with her five big brothers to clinching victory for the Lionesses in extra time
Chloe Kelly would have found it hard to avoid football growing up. The youngest of seven children embraced the sport from the moment she followed her five brothers to a caged gravel pitch on the Windmill Park Estate.
Kelly was football-mad. As a youngster she even took the 92 bus from Ealing to go to Wembley on FA Cup Final day. Was she there to watch the match? No. She was there to collect a programme.
That yearly pilgrimage helped form the Lioness with the location taking on a whole new meaning yesterday: as she scored the goal at Wembley against Germany to bring England its first piece of footballing silverware since 1966.
‘I don’t think there are many who came up playing in a cage,’ says the 24-year-old. ‘I was always around the cage with the boys as soon as I was allowed, about the age of seven. My brothers included me even though they were older and playing with their friends.
Chloe Kelly, centre, celebrates with Lauren Hemp, left, and Jill Scott after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final for England
As a youngster Kelly took the 92 bus from Ealing to go to Wembley on FA Cup Final day to collect a programme
She suffered injury setbacks in the past few years including a serious ACL injury in 2021
Chloe Kelly has five brothers whom she used to with play football in the cages
‘The whole summer we would get out in the cage early mornings, go back for some food and be straight back there. A few years later, someone melted a bin in the middle. It wasn’t the best, but we had to make do with what we had!
‘Playing cage football really made me the player I am. It added a bit more creativity to my game and the physicality as well.’
Were the brothers protective? ‘Definitely not. They were probably the ones telling everyone to hit me harder. Get used to it. If I was on the floor, they would tell me to get up.
‘They never really felt sorry for me if I was getting knocked about. I think that was the way to go. If they made it easy, you would always think everything is going to come easy in life and that’s not the case. That’s how I’ve got so far today.
‘I was one of them. Looking back, I really appreciate that but less so at the time. I was a bit gutted going home and crying to my mum sometimes.’
Kelly grew up playing in Ealing’s football cages with her five brothers which she credits her physicality and creativity to
Kelly will now go down in historic alongside the likes of Geoff Hurst as having scored in international final for England
Kelly says her formative experiences on her west London estate helped improve her game
Kelly was top scorer in the FA WSL when the season was ended prematurely due to pandemic
Kelly watches elder brother Jack and triplets Ryan, Jamie and Martin play local league football when she is back in west London.
‘Jack still says now that he’s better than me,’ says Kelly who has another brother, Daniel, and sister, Paris. ‘He says, “I’ve taught you everything you know, but not everything I know”. They don’t let me get too carried away. They always keep me grounded and that’s a great thing.’
After being scouted by QPR at a schools tournament – ‘it was my first real game because I was used to playing in the cages’ – Kelly turned professional with Arsenal. She took the bold decision to move to Everton, initially on loan, in 2016 even though it led to homesickness and regular calls to her mum Jane and dad Noel.
The England striker has revealed she often felt homesick after move to Everton in 2016
‘If I hadn’t gone to Everton, I don’t know if I would be in the position I’m in now at City and pushing on in my career,’ she says. ‘I could have been satisfied with sitting on the bench at a top club but I needed minutes under my belt. I needed to show what I was capable of on the pitch, not just the training pitch. I don’t think a lot of people would make that leap of moving to a city I’d never been to before at such a young age.
‘It was very daunting. Because I was such a family girl, I got homesick and every opportunity I got I would be back, but I knew it was the best for my career.’
Kelly was fourth in the Women’s Super League scoring charts with nine goals for Everton when the season was ended. City, who were top at the time but saw Chelsea crowned champions on a points-per-game basis, signed Kelly in July 2020 and she scored an impressive 10 goals and made 11 assists in her first season in Manchester.
‘Once I found out City were interested in me it was a case of, “OK, when can we get it done?”. I can’t wait to get going,’ says Kelly. ‘There are a lot of England internationals here and that was massive for me. If I get another call-up, it’s easier going into that environment by playing with those players day in, day out.
‘I looked at playing with the likes of Steph Houghton and Jill Scott, learning, adding to my game. I’m ambitious and I want to be the best version of myself.’
The demons of missing out on England’s 2019 World Cup run have been banished by her heroics in the Euros final
She only made one appearance in the WSL last season after suffering a heartbreaking ACL injury which jeopardised her ability to compete in this summer’s Euros.
But she roared back and made Sarina Wiegman’s squad for the home tournament.
It was the latest rally back from injury that Kelly had to endure. She made her England debut in November 2018 as a substitute against Austria in a friendly but suffered an ankle injury that required surgery the following February.
It kept her out for six months and out of contention for a place at the 2019 World Cup, where new team-mate Ellen White scored six goals as England reached the semi-finals.
But the demons of missing out on that run have been banished by her heroics in the Euros final yesterday, following up on a spilled ball in the 20th minute of extra time to send England into dreamland.
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