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.”
Read more:
- ‘She’s just my daughter!’: Rachel Daly’s dad’s pride at Olympics star
- Local Lioness leads by example in the Women’s EUROs
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.
Harrogate’s Rachel Daly makes Euro 2022 squad“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.”
Harrogate footballer Rachel Daly has made the England squad for the Women’s Euro 2022 tournament this summer.
Daly, who went to Saltergate and Rossett schools, now plays in the United States for Houston Dash.
The full-back is also an experienced international who has made 46 appearances and scored seven goals for her country since her debut in 2016.
Manager Sarina Wiegman has used the versatile Daly as a substitute in recent fixtures.
The Lionesses have reached the Women’s Euros final twice before in their history, in 1984 and 2009.
This year’s tournament will be played in England and the squad will be hoping home advantage will give them an extra edge. They are in a group with Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland.
Daly, along with the rest of the squad, today met Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, who wished them luck.
⚽️ Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses ahead of this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
A major tournament on home soil is an exciting prospect and it’s clear the players are looking forward to the opportunity to show what they can do. pic.twitter.com/RzoZ4BYvMk
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 15, 2022
Read more:
- Harrogate’s Rachel Daly dedicates England goal to late dad Martyn
- ‘She’s just my daughter!’: Rachel Daly’s dad’s pride at Olympics star
- Harrogate footballer’s journey from Killinghall Nomads to Tokyo Olympics
When do England play?
Wednesday July 6
England vs Austria, 8pm, Old Trafford
Monday July 11
England v Norway, 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium
Friday July 15
Northern Ireland v England, 8pm, St Mary’s
All of England’s games will be shown live on the BBC.
https://twitter.com/RachelDaly3/status/1537115164931153920?s=20&t=Hl6Dk4RnCIKTtmbWt6blwQ