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29
Aug 2023
Petition submitted to push council to honour Harrogate's Lioness
A petition to honour England footballer Rachel Daly in Harrogate has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council after attracting more than 700 signatures.
There are now hopes it will be debated by the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee, and local councillors can push officers for action.
The petition forms part of a campaign by Killinghall Nomads, backed by the Stray Ferret, to ensure the Lioness was recognised after playing in the World Cup Final.
As well as being available online, paper copies were signed by attendees at the club's World Cup watch party last weekend.
Her former football club has called for Harrogate's Hydro leisure centre to be named after her.
Following a 16-month refurbishment, it is set to open next week under its new name, Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre.
North Yorkshire Council has said it is "urgently" looking at creating a policy for recognising successful local people.
Ripon's new leisure centre has already been named after the city's Olympic gold medal winner, diver Jack Laugher.
Read more:
- Rossett sports pitches to be renamed in honour of Rachel Daly
- Petition launched calling for Harrogate to honour Rachel Daly
Killinghall Nomads, which has honoured Daly by naming its cafe after her, said it is important that there is a public recognition.
That sentiment has been echoed by her former school.
While Rossett School will name its sports centre's 3G pitches after her, both the headteacher, Tim Milburn, and her former coach, Mike Sweetman, said a civic honour was needed.
Mr Sweetman added:
Daly was a crucial member of the England squad, playing in all of the group stage matches, as well as the last 16, quarter final and semi-final matches.
She played the first half of the final against Spain, before being substituted at half time. The Lionesses went on to lose 1-0, finishing as runners up in the tournament.
Young Rachel Daly fans from Killinghall Nomads watch the World Cup Final
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