‘A national treasure’: reaction to Rachel Daly’s England retirement

Famous faces from football and beyond have paid tribute to Rachel Daly’s England career following this week’s news of her retirement.

Harrogate-born Daly announced her decision on Wednesday, just a day after the Lionesses 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.

The Aston Villa forward, 32, featured in some of England’s most pivotal matches during her eight-year international career, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup final and as a Euro 2022 winner.

News of her departure therefore sparked a lot of tributes.

England and Arsenal footballer Beth Mead praised Daly on social media:

“So proud of you, no words to describe how gutted I am but what an international career it’s been. So happy to have been a part of it. Love you Rachy.”

England captain and Chelsea defender, Millie Bright, said she was the “proudest best friend” of all Daly has achieved in her international career, adding:

“I don’t have many words right now. I’ve shed a lot of tears knowing this was coming.

“You’ve given your heart and soul to your country over and over again. I love you.”

Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who shared the pitch with Daly at last year’s World Cup, called her a “national treasure”, while Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood said she is “one of the best, on and off the pitch”.

(L) Mary Earps’ Instagram post and praise from the Prince of Wales. (R)

Former England men’s player Ian Wright said Daly had an “unbelievable” international career, and reminded her she is a “European champion”.

Even the Prince of Wales, an Aston Villa fan, praised Daly’s England career. On the Prince and Princess of Wales’ X account, formerly Twitter, the royal wrote:

“Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with Lionesses. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W.”

Daly began her football career at Killinghall Nomads Football Club.

She has since gone on to play for Leeds United, Lincoln Ladies and even Houston Dash in the USA before she returned to England to play for Aston Villa in 2022.

She amassed 84 senior caps throughout her England career and scored 16 goals.

Daly will continue her club football career at Aston Villa.

Read more:

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly retires from England football

Harrogate’s very own Lioness, Rachel Daly, has announced her retirement from international football after an eight-year stint.

The Aston Villa forward, who started her career at Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club, revealed the news today following England’s 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland yesterday.

Daly, 32, played a key role in the Lionesses’ success at UEFA Euro 2022, where she started every game of the tournament, as well as in the final of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The former Rossett School pupil won a total of 84 senior caps for England and scored 16 goals.

In a statement, Daly said:

“I would love nothing more than to play for England forever, but the time has come for me to hang my boots up on the international stage.

“While today is an extremely difficult day for me, it is also one filled with reflection and immense gratitude. Playing for and representing England has been the greatest honour.

“During my eight years as a Lioness, I’ve always pursued success and winning football matches, while playing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion and perseverance.

“It has been the greatest honour to represent my family, my teammates and the entire country. I have a lot of incredible memories during my time with England that have been pivotal moments.”

Daly began her professional career at Leeds United before climbing the international ladder at the FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup in 2008, in New Zealand.

She later moved to Lincoln Ladies in 2010, followed by a stint in the American National Women’s Soccer League playing for Houston Dash.

After working her way back to England, Ms Daly then made her senior team debut in 2016, where she scored against Serbia.

Harrogate has also marked her successful career, with her first club naming the club café after her – Nomad’s Daly Brew – and her former school inviting her to open the new football pitches last year.

England head coach Serina Wiegman said:

“Rachel has been an incredible part of our story and the history we’ve made together. It has been a privilege to work with her.

“I have never worked with a player so versatile, always with a smile on her face, bringing energy and trying to do her best for the team.

“Off the pitch she is always up for a joke or a nice conversation. She’ll be missed not just by me but all the other staff members, players and of course the fans.

“It is sad that she won’t be with us anymore, but we should celebrate what she has done for the team and now she becomes our No.1 fan. I would love to see her in the stands in future cheering for us and helping us to get some more wins.”

Read more:

From Jane Austen to beer festivals: what’s on in the Harrogate district this weekend

Summer may be drawing to a close but weekend activities across the district are certainly not.

Whether you’re looking for an evening with Oscar Wilde, a win for the Lionesses, or just a family picnic in the sun, we’ve collated a list of all that’s on offer this weekend in the Harrogate district.

FEVA FESTIVAL – Knaresborough

This weekend sees the final few days of Knaresborough’s FEVA.

The arts festival includes exhibitions, live music and theatre.

An adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility will be held at Knaresborough Castle this evening from 7pm – tickets start at £20.

Knaresborough Library will also host An Evening with Wes Martin – a Knaresborough-based bestselling crime author – and Aubrey Parsons, a vocal performer who has worked for Disney, the BBC and Audible.

Mr Martin will be on hand to answer all questions crime-related, as well as signing books, while Ms Parsons will be reading some of her favourite extracts from The Yorkshire Murders. The event is £5 to attend.

The free Picnic in the Park will take place outside Knaresborough House tomorrow from midday to 5pm.

Simply bring along a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of live music.

Knaresborough Lions’ Beer Festival will also be held at Knaresborough House this weekend and will showcase 25 special beers, as well as wine, cider, and lager.

The beer festival is free to attend and begins this evening at 5pm. It will also run from midday to 11pm on Saturday, August 18, and midday to 5pm on Sunday, August 19.

For a full breakdown of this weekend’s events, click here.

Women’s World Cup Final: England vs Spain

 Sunday sees the nail-biting final between the Lionesses and La Roja.

Harrogate’s own Rachel Daly has helped the team reach their first ever World Cup final and will be supported by many local fans.

Several venues across the district will have live screenings of the match, which kicks off at 11am GMT.

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest – Ripon Spa Gardens

An adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest will be performed in Ripon Spa Gardens tomorrow evening.

Chapterhouse Theatre Company, based in in Lincoln, will be putting on the show as part of its Open Theatre Air Tour.

Attendees are encouraged to enjoy a picnic beneath the stars by bringing food, blankets and chairs.

Gates open at 6pm and the show will begin at 7pm – tickets start at £20.90 for adults.

Knaresborough’s Calcutt Gala celebrates 20th year

 Calcutt Gala will be returning for its 20th anniversary on Sunday.

The event, which will be held at Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club, will include a martial arts demonstration, live music, a BBQ and bar, as well as an ice cream van and tombola.

The Cricketers will also be streaming the World Cup final before the gala.

The gala begins at midday and entry is £2 for ages 12 upwards.

All funds raised will be donated to the cricket club.

Read more:

St Aidan’s new 3G pitch set to be open until 8pm

St Aidan’s Church of England High School’s new floodlit artificial sports pitch is set to open from 6pm to 8pm for community clubs to use.

The school has launched a consultation on when the FIFA-approved pitch can be hired, as well as the type of floodlights that will be built.

Last January councillors gave the school permission to build the pitch, despite the council’s own report recommending refusal.

Some nearby residents had complained that the 15-metre high floodlights would cause light pollution to their homes and the Stray.

However, the application attracted a huge amount of support from Harrogate residents, with some hailing “people power” for helping to influence councillors’ decisions.

Hours of use

The consultation document proposes the pitch will be available from 6pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.

On Saturdays, it would be available for hire from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 2pm.

During school holidays, the pitch would be available to be booked from 9am to 4pm.

It says prices will be similar to other council-run facilities in the Harrogate area.

Read more:

The school will employ its own staff to manage and operate the facility and a committee will review its hours of use every year.

There has been a lack of 3G pitches available in Harrogate since Harrogate Town were forced to remove theirs following promotion to the English Football League two years ago.

Italian Ripon restaurant owner thinks England will win

Ripon restaurateur Franco Fantoni has got the blues when thinking about the Azzurri’s chances at Wembley on Sunday.

The owner of Prima Ristorante Italiano in Kirkgate is pessimistic as he prepares for the big match.

He believes that Roberto Mancini’s team will be beaten by Gareth Southgate’s golden boys.

Mr Fantoni told the Stray Ferret:

“Sadly, I think we’re going to lose.

“England have played better football than us and I predict they will win 2-0.”

Photo of Gareth Southgate

Will Gareth Southgate’s team have the last laugh against Italy on Sunday?

The lifelong football fan comes from Bergamo in the Lombardy region of northern Italy and is a seasoned student of football in his native and adopted countries.

Back in the place of his birth, he supports Serie A team Atalanta BC, but he also enjoys the English version of the beautiful game and said:

“Since moving to England in 1973, I’ve followed Leeds United and have been a season ticket holder for more than 30 years.”

Mr Fantoni, who has owned the multi-award-winning Prima Ristorante for 36 years, is convinced that his countrymen will taste defeat, but the four-times Fifa World Cup winners go to Wembley with an unbeaten run of 33 games behind them.

They were also the 1968 Euro Champions.

In contrast, England have just the 1966 World Cup win to their name in major international tournaments and are attempting to bring 55 years of hurt, disappointment and under-achievement to an end.

Read more:

The Azzurri have been tactically astute when the heat has been on, most noticeably in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of quarter and semi-final games against Belgium and Spain respectively.

If Italy can serve up yet another winning Euro performance in the three lions’ den, Mr Fantoni will have to eat his words – but it’s a dish he will happily swallow.