The Lionesses are welcomed home with a special surprise when a team with 1,000 soccer balls spells out ‘PRIDE’ while England legend Ellen White insists they have ‘inspired millions of women and girls’.
The Lionesses are welcomed home with a special surprise as the girls team spells ‘PRIDE’ with 1,000 soccer balls, while England legend Ellen White insists they have ‘inspired millions of women and girls’.
- England enjoyed a memorable run to the World Cup final before narrowly losing 1-0 to Spain on Sunday
- The Lionesses are welcomed home with a special surprise from a west London team
- REGARD: “Here we go” – Episode 2 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
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England’s Lionesses are given a heroic welcome on their return to Britain on Tuesday morning.
Sarina Wiegman’s side captured the hearts of the nation during their memorable run at the World Cup before a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in Sunday’s final.
They flew out of Australia on Monday and are greeted with a heartwarming statement of support before landing at Heathrow Airport around 6:35am.
Girls from Actonians Ladies’ FC – one of hundreds of UK grassroots football clubs who have benefited from National Lottery funding – staged a heartwarming thank you message to their heroes using around 1,000 footballs with the words ‘PROUD!’
Based in Chiswick, London, the club is in the Heathrow approach lane and has more than 250 women and girls training and playing after a surge in interest in the sport since the Lionesses’ victory at Euro 2022 last summer .
In the approach lane of Heathrow Airport, National Lottery-funded club Actonians Ladies’ FC welcome the Lionesses
Actonians Ladies’ is one of hundreds of grassroots clubs that have benefited from National Lottery funding
The Lionesses have captured the hearts and minds of the nation in recent weeks with their memorable run to the World Cup final
The ‘Welcome Home’ message is a well-deserved reward for an inspirational group of England stars who continue to break down barriers in sport, and Lionesses legend Ellen White – who was part of the European Championship-winning team – praised her performance this summer while she also stressed the importance of funding by the National Lottery.
She said: “Like Actonians LFC, I am incredibly proud of what the Lionesses have achieved.” They have put in stellar performances throughout the tournament and despite the result, their legacy will inspire millions of women and girls to get involved in football to fall in love.
“We are at the dawn of a golden era for women’s football, made possible by National Lottery players who have pledged a further £15m over the next four years to help attract more women and girls to football.” This has an environment for success and laid a strong foundation for a bright future at all levels of the game.”
Lionesses legend Ellen White was part of the Euro 2022 winning team and also expressed pride in England’s achievements
National Lottery players raise more than £30m a week for causes including vital funds for sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make a great difference: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk