The Lionesses are welcomed home with a special surprise as the girls’ team declares ‘PROUD’ with 1,000 footballs, 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, courtesy of a West London team
- WATCH: ‘It All Begins’ – Episode 2 – The brand new football show from Mail Sport
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The Lionesses of England will receive a hero’s welcome on Tuesday morning when they return to the UK.
Sarina Wiegman’s side captured the nation’s hearts in their memorable run at the World Cup before losing a heartbreaking 1-0 to Spain in Sunday’s final.
They flew from Australia on Monday and will be greeted with a heartwarming message of support before landing at Heathrow Airport at around 06.35am.
Girls from Actonians Ladies’ FC – one of hundreds of grassroots football clubs in the UK that have benefited from National Lottery funding – gave a heartfelt thank you to their heroes, using around 1,000 footballs that read ‘PROUD!’.
Based in Chiswick, London, the club is in the flight path of Heathrow and has more than 250 women and girls training and playing following a huge interest in the sport since the Lionesses won Euro 2022 last summer.
On the flight path of Heathrow Airport, National Lottery-funded club Actonians Ladies’ FC welcomes the lionesses home
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Actonians Ladies’ is one of hundreds of grassroots football clubs to have benefited from National Lottery funding
The Lionesses captured the hearts and minds of the country on their memorable run to the World Cup final in recent weeks
The welcome message is a well-deserved reward for an inspiring group of England stars who continue to break down barriers in the sport and lioness legend Ellen White – who was part of the Euro 2000 winning side – paid tribute to their achievements this summer, while also highlighting the importance of the financing of the National Lottery.
She said: ‘Like Actonians LFC, I am incredibly proud of what the Lionesses have achieved. They played exceptionally throughout the tournament and despite the result, their legacy will inspire millions of women and girls to fall in love with football.
“We are at the dawn of a golden era for the female game, powered by National Lottery players who have pledged a further £15 million over the next four years to get more women and girls into football. This has created an environment for success and a strong foundation for a bright future at every level of the game.”
Lioness legend Ellen White was part of the Euro 2022 winning squad and also showed her pride in England’s performance
National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for charities, including vital funding for sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how to make your numbers amazing at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk