England Archives - Page 3 of 4

Rachel Daly picked for England World Cup 2023 qualifier squad

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly has been called up to the England Lionesses’ squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Daly, who recently joined Aston Villa, is among the 23-player squad which will take on Austria and Luxembourg next month.

The Lionesses will be hoping to build on their Euro 2022 triumph by booking a place at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

England manager Sarina Wiegman said:

“It only feels like yesterday since we were celebrating at Wembley, but we have to get straight back to business.

“We have a big target in front of us this month to book our place at the World Cup, and we have to set aside our amazing memories of this summer for the moment.”

Daly, who attended Saltergate and Rossett schools, has seen a lot of success on the pitch in the past few months.

After helping the Lionesses win the Euros at Wembley against Germany last month, she signed for Women’s Super League side Aston Villa from Houston Dash in the USA. She now has almost 300,000 followers on Instagram.

The 30-year-old said it was a big decision to move to Villa, but added that it was right to come home as “family is the most important thing”.

Rachel Daly joins Aston Villa on three-year deal

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly has signed for Aston Villa on a three year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old England international has joined the club from Houston Dash, where she spent six years and made 101 appearances in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Daly joins Villa off the back of a historic Euro 2022, where the Lionesses won the tournament after defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley.

On joining the club, she said:

“It was a big decision, I’ve been away from home now for 10 years and for me family is the most important thing.

“I had a tough year with family and being away from them, so it was a big decision to come home.

“I spoke to a few clubs along the journey and it felt right to sign for Villa. The journey that the club is on is one I want to be a part of.”

Villa will embark on their third season in the Women’s Super League after finishing 10th and ninth in their last two campaigns since promotion.

Manager Carla Ward said:

“This is a big signing for us and one we’ve worked hard on completing. Rachel is a top forward and a proven goalscorer.

“Having performed admirably at full-back this summer, she showed us that she is a player you simply need in your team.

“But for us, she is a forward and we can’t wait to see her scoring goals.”

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/WQwRrYJ7Yw

— Rachel Daly (@RachelDaly3) August 9, 2022

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly given hero’s welcome at Elland Road

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly received a hero’s welcome at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium this past weekend.

Daly, who is a lifelong fan of Leeds United, was welcomed onto the pitch ahead of the club’s opening day Premier League clash against Wolves on Saturday.

She received a standing ovation and gave a pitch side interview before kick off.

She made the appearance off the back of being part of England’s Lionesses’ historic win at Euro 2022.

Daly and her teammates captured the heart of a nation after clinching the title with a 2-1 defeat of Germany last week.

Following her pitch-side appearance, Daly saw Leeds pick up all three points with a 2-1 win with goals from Rodrigo and an Aït-Nouri own goal.

In June, Daly lived out a childhood dream when she played at Elland Road in an international friendly against the Netherlands.

https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1555916110700101632?s=20&t=ZxSSO4o_-4xsBGRQRnXI3A

She used to watch the men’s team play at the club’s famous old ground when she was a season ticket holder as a child.

Daly even has a line from the Leeds anthem Marching on Together tattooed on her forearm.

She said in an interview ahead of the Netherlands friendly:

“It’s a club that has held such a special place in my heart and my family’s heart and I’ve got so many memories of being at Leeds.”

Former school leads messages to Harrogate’s football champion Rachel Daly

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.”

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:

https://twitter.com/VisitHarrogate/status/1554044676717613057

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

‘That was for you’ – Harrogate Lioness’s tribute to late dad

Harrogate football star Rachel Daly has paid tribute to her late father after winning the European Championship final at Wembley.

The England player posted a picture of Martyn Daly on her Instagram account with the caption “That was for you” after the 2-1 victory over Germany last night.

Mr Daly had been a huge influence on and supporter of his daughter’s career until his death last September.

Speaking before an England warm-up game at Elland Road in June, she told the matchday programme his loss had affected her approach to the sport they both loved:

“It will be so awful to not have him there because I think it would have been one of his proudest moments.

“I have a different perspective towards football and life now. Football has always been the be-all-and-end-all for me, and it still is, but now I play for a different purpose as well.

“When I get on the pitch, it’s not just about me performing, it’s me performing to make my dad even more proud than he already was.

“I think I carry that weight with me, but it’s a nice weight to have because it’s every game I want to do better and better. I know I’m making him proud up there.

“But in a way, that’s what will make it even more special, having the rest of my family there knowing how big fans we are.”

In response to her post on Instagram, fans and friends told her he would be “so proud” of what she had achieved with the Lionesses.

Mr Daly lived in Harrogate and was himself a semi-professional footballer, playing for Harrogate Town and Knaresborough Town in the 1980s and 1990s.

Last summer, as the team prepared to compete at the 2020 Olympics, Mr Daly spoke to the Stray Ferret about his pride in his daughter, not just because of her achievements but also the role model she was to other young women and girls.

He added:

“She’ll never realise what she’s done in the game until it’s over.

“Every pro has a cockiness about them but she’s down to earth too, she’s just my daughter.”

This morning, Daly and her teammates were heading to Trafalgar Square for a victory parade, celebrating the first tournament win for any England football team since 1996.

Daly posted a photo of herself on Twitter with her winner’s medal.

Good morning pic.twitter.com/6e78642uM4

— Rachel Daly (@RachelDaly3) August 1, 2022

‘Play like the star you are’: Harrogate gets behind Rachel Daly ahead of Euro final

Harrogate has thrown its support behind Rachel Daly ahead of England’s Euro final against Germany on Sunday.

Daly, who went to Saltergate and Rossett schools in Harrogate, will be among the squad which walks out on the hallowed turf at Wembley in front of a sellout crowd.

The Lionesses have captured the hearts of a nation during the tournament, which has seen late goals and thrashings of the likes of Norway.

Ahead of the semi-final against Spain, Mike Sweetman, who coached Daly at Rossett, told the Stray Ferret he was not surprised at her success.

“I’m not surprised she has had more than 50 caps for England.

“In all my years teaching I had not seen a better female player, saying that, she struggled with a bad knee at school and you definitely need a lot of luck along with talent to cement your place in an England team.”

‘Play like the star you are’

Now, Daly has the chance to make history and help lead England to their first Euro trophy.

Ahead of the seismic tie against Germany at 5pm on Sunday, the Stray Ferret asked our readers on social media what message they had for Daly as she prepares for the big game.

Jean Daly said:

“Play like the star you are – my lovely granddaughter.”

Lorraine Simcock said:

“Whatever the outcome, we are so proud of you all, you have done so much to inspire the younger generation and to promote women’s football. Good luck and best wishes.”

George Miller added:

“Smash it up in the final this Sunday, we’re all cheering you on.”

Deborah Risdon said:

“Good luck we are behind you all and most important enjoy the moment.”

Tracy Atkinson said:

“Wishing you all the very best for the final, your dad will be so proud of you and he’ll be watching over you on Sunday.”

‘I had not seen a better footballer’: Rachel Daly’s former coach on her rise with England

Rachel Daly’s former football coach has said he’s never seen a better female footballer as the England international heads into tonight’s crunch Euro semi-final.

Daly, who went to Saltergate and Rossett schools in Harrogate, will be among the squad who will go head-to-head with Sweden for a place in the final at Wembley on Sunday.

She started at full-back in the Lionesses’ dramatic 2-1 quarter-final win over Spain last Wednesday to book the Linonesses in tonight’s game.

Mike Sweetman, who coached Daly at Rossett school, said he was not surprised at her success on the pitch.

He said:

“She was just head and shoulders above any other girl footballer at the time, she played with the boys and she wanted to play with the boys. The boys were very good with her and they just treated her as one of the lads, she was very popular and they basically just played football at any opportunity they had.

“I have so many memories and stories but I just always remember opposition players knowing how good she was and trying to mark her but she was just too good.

“We got to the north of England final at Turf Moor, she was outstanding, we played a team from Liverpool, they had three or four players who just followed her all around the pitch.”

Mr Sweetman, who has since retired from Rossett’s PE department after 27 years, has coached a number of students who have gone onto do well in the sport, including gaining scholarships to US universities.

But for him, Daly is among the best he has coached and it does not surprise him to see her doing well for the international side.

He said:

“I’m not surprised she has had more than 50 caps for England.

“In all my years teaching I had not seen a better female player, saying that, she struggled with a bad knee at school and you definitely need a lot of luck along with talent to cement your place in an England team.”

@Rossett @RachelDaly3 Fantastic to see this kid returning to school, 16 caps for England later. Saying I feel proud is the understatement of the year!!#Rachel Daly pic.twitter.com/0BUbmucFWC

— michael sweetman (@Mike_Sweetman) December 19, 2018

As for Daly’s and the Lionesses’ chances of reaching the final, Mr Sweetman feels England have a good chance tonight.

He added that the record crowd at Bramall Lane in Sheffield will help them get over the line.

“I think she is doing amazingly well in the tournament, she is playing in defence and she usually plays up front for Houston Dash but that really does illustrate well just how good she is when she can play left centre back or left back when she is predominantly a striker.

“I think they could win tonight. Sweden are a very good team though, I think the crowd will really help England.”

Harry Kane’s World Cup shirt auction to fund community groceries

Harry Kane has donated his signed shirt from the England v Poland World Cup qualifier to Resurrected Bites for an auction to raise money for a community grocery project.

The Tottenham striker and England captain scored in the fixture which ended 1-1 on September 8.

Kane’s shirt was signed by all of the players and also comes with a letter of authenticity.

Resurrected Bites usually takes in surplus food but this special donation was thanks to the team’s relationship with Gareth Southgate’s assistant manager Steve Holland.

Michelle Hayes, the founder of Resurrected Bites, said:

“Steve is the nephew of my step-dad Tony. Tony is one of our volunteers and washes up at one of the Resurrected Bites cafés every week.

“When he told Steve about Resurrected Bites, Steve offered to help us with our fundraising. We were over the moon to receive Harry Kane’s shirt which has been signed by all of the England players.

“We think this shirt could really make an exceptional Christmas present for someone. That is in addition to raising much needed funds for our organisation.”

The auction is being held on the Resurrected Bites Facebook page, where people are invited to share their bids by commenting below the post.

Bidding will end at 8pm on Sunday, November 7. The auction started off at £100 and has already reached £340.

Steve Holland with Gareth Southgate.

All of the money raised will go towards the community grocery project.

Resurrected Bites set up its first grocery at New Park Academy Community Hub but plans to open a second in Knaresborough in December.

At the community grocery people pay £5 a year to sign up as members. They are then entitled to pay £3, £5 or £9 depending on the size of their family, for items that would typically cost £30.

It stocks a wide range of tinned, fresh food and frozen food as well as toiletries, sanitary products and nappies in various sizes.

Harrogate’s 74-year-old walking football star dreams of winning World Cup

Harrogate Town and England walking football player Lawrie Coulthard dreams of winning the World Cup at the ripe age of 74.

He’s been capped by his country three times in the emerging sport, which is a twist on the beautiful game that makes running a foul — do it three times and you get a blue card and placed in a sin bin for two minutes.

Lawrie had a career in the civil service and played for amateur teams in London until he retired aged 45. He thought he’d given up on the football buzz forever until he was persuaded to give walking football a try by a fellow member of Harrogate Male Voice Choir.

He said:

“You get this adrenaline burst playing and you really enjoy it. It’s very competitive. It all came back. It helps your fitness, physical fitness and mental fitness as you get older, and there’s a social side of it.”

Harrogate Town’s 50s and over 60s teams train once a week at Rossett Sports Centre and Lawrie describes his teammates as “a good set of chaps”. He says you need quick feet and a sharp brain to prosper in the game, which is six-a-side and played on smaller pitches.

He made his England debut against the Republic of Ireland last year and hopes to line up when they play Wales next month.

“We sing the national anthem and every time the hairs bristle on your neck. I’m so proud singing that.”

Manchester will host the first-ever walking football World Cup next year, which Lawrie hopes England can win. He says he could carry on playing until his 80s.

“I’m 74 and in good health. I don’t see why I shouldn’t play until my 80’s unless my legs start giving way. I still enjoy it. You still get that buzz.”

Lawrie paid tribute to his late wife for believing in him.

“My wife died in 2020, she was really ill and persuaded me to carry on with my singing and football. I’m eternally grateful to her for that.”

He added:

“We were staying at friends once and I fell out out of bed and the bed was quite high up. My wife said, ‘what are you doing?’ I told her I was just scoring a goal for England at Wembley in my dream.

“I never thought I’d one day be playing for England!”

Bin collections as usual on Monday despite England game

Bin collectors across the Harrogate district will still be out in force on Monday morning after England’s big game.

While some businesses are giving employees a day off after the Euro 2020 final, Harrogate Borough Council has said all refuse will still be collected at its usual time.

England are set to walk out at Wembley tomorrow evening to play Italy in their first major tournament final in 55 years.

A council spokesperson said:

“Garden waste, refuse and recycling will be collected as normal next week.

“We have a dedicated team who look after our parks, open spaces and streets across the district. They will be working hard next week, as they do every week, to make sure the Harrogate district looks as wonderful and presentable as residents expect.”

As pubs and beer gardens are expected to be packed, the council also urged punters to use the bins provided and to take rubbish home with them after the game.

Officials have said there are no plans for a big screen on the Stray to show the match, and no third parties had applied for a screen either.

While bin collections will continue as normal, other businesses have offered their employees time off.

National firm McQueens Dairies delivers milk, eggs and other essential produce to homes in the Harrogate district every week and told its drivers they can take the night off on July 11 to watch the final.

Customers received an email saying there would be no deliveries on the morning of July 12 due to its anticipation of a victory for England.

The rescheduling “will allow our staff… to enjoy the celebrations”, the firm explained.

But the chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours housing association has said it is “unfair” that some workers and students have been given a late start to the working week.

Sue Cawthray said that although her team members will be watching the final, essential workers don’t have the option of a mass half-day off. She said:

“Its so unfair, we’ve been through enough with the pandemic and it feels like we’ve been forgotten about. We still have to get up for our shifts on Monday. We can’t say ‘oh, we can’t wake you up or help you get dressed this morning because England were in the finals’.”

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‘Play like the star you are’

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