Rachel Daly continues to support Killinghall team, coach reveals

The Killinghall Nomads girls’ football manager who was a coach when Rachel Daly played at the club has praised the Lioness for her ongoing support.

David Terzza remembers Daly playing in the boys teams at the junior club from U8s to U11s.

He said she had kept in touch and sponsored last season’s Adidas football kits for the girls’ teams.

The girls were also invited to meet Daly and her fellow Lionesses at a training session at St George’s Park and to watch the England v Netherlands friendly at Elland Road in Leeds.

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Mr Terzza, who has coached at the club for 22 years, said:

“I remember seeing her play, she was outstanding. When Rachel started playing she was the only girl at the time who played on the boys’ teams. She was fearless and could hold her own. The coaches used to point her out and say she was going to go far.

“Rachel has kept in touch and has sponsored Adidas football kits for the girls teams. They were proudly worn by the U11 and U14 Girls last season. Both teams were inspired by this act of kindness to become league winners.”

Mr Terzza has coached girls’ football for the last 12 years and is also the secretary for the Harrogate and District Junior Girls Football League, which is overseen by the Football Association.

He believes the Lionesses’ Euro win will have a lasting impact on girls ‘and women’s grassroots football.

He said:

“It has inspired our girls tremendously and has been an incredible boost to women’s and girls’ football, with the Lionesses now well-known household names.”

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.”

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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