Organisations across Harrogate have been giving their congratulations to England football star Rachel Daly today, after she helped the team to a historic victory in the European Championships.
The Lioness, who grew up in Harrogate, spent the day at Trafalgar Square where a victory parade was held in front of thousands of fans — but her home town was keen to ensure she received its best wishes too.
The messages were led by Rossett School, which Rachel attended as a teenager, becoming a star in its football teams. Headteacher Helen Woodcock said:
“Rachel Daly and the Lionesses have brought a real sense of national achievement and pride to the world of English football. We are so proud of her, here at Rossett!
“We have a long tradition of sporting excellence at Rossett – especially in football – with our young women and men going on to football scholarships both here and abroad. Most recently we have cemented our relationship with the sport in beginning a partnership with Harrogate Town, providing a home for their academy training.
“We are immensely proud of Rachel Daly; her work ethic, her resilience and her longevity in the game. All Rossett students and staff were shouting themselves hoarse in encouragement and then in celebration as she tackled and defended as part of the amazing team effort against a strong German side on Sunday.
“Rossett School are looking forward to preparing the next generation of young women and men heading towards sporting excellence as part of its school and community football programmes.
“We hope to welcome Rachel to the school soon to inspire our young women to look at taking their skills a step further, realising a career in the sport at local, national and international level.”
Read more:
- ‘That was for you’ – Harrogate Lioness’s tribute to late dad
- ‘Play like the star you are’: Harrogate gets behind Rachel Daly ahead of Euro final
Community football teams were also singing her praises:
you were simply amazing @RachelDaly3 and all the @Lionesses https://t.co/FB28hVSrWG
— FDS Harrogate Soccer School (@FDSHarrogate1) July 31, 2022
Among those sending their congratulations was a parent of a young player at Killinghall Nomads, where Daly used to play as a child.
As the Mum of a Killinghall Nomads JFC girl, you and the lionesses have inspired a generation of young girls ⚽️❤️ and so much more. Congratulations and thank you! @RachelDaly3
— Alexandra Vere (@alexsvere) August 1, 2022
Tweets were also posted by local organisations, including Visit Harrogate:
Sending enormous #congratulations 🥳🎉to our amazing @Lionesses – including of course #Harrogate’s own @RachelDaly3 🤩😍 – for your fantastic & historic victory last night, making #England Champions of Europe! #WEuro2022 #Lionesses https://t.co/GoqNHEWNQt
— Visit Harrogate (@VisitHarrogate) August 1, 2022
There have been calls in Scarborough to give their local Lioness, Beth Mead, the freedom of the town.
The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council if there were any plans to mark Daly’s achievement or put on a homecoming parade, but had not received a response at the time of publication.
However, the authority did share a tribute on Twitter:
Congratulations to @RachelDaly3 and all the @Lionesses on such an incredible achievement!#̵I̵t̵s̵C̵o̵m̵i̵n̵g̵H̵o̵m̵e̵ #ItsHome https://t.co/5X7XzdMTxs
— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) August 1, 2022
