Latest news with #MillieBright
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Cheering on Lionesses at Euros ‘will help heal nation' says PM as he backs The Sun's grassroots football campaign
ENGLAND fans cheering on the Lionesses will help heal a divided nation this summer, Sir Keir Starmer hopes - as he backs The Sun's campaign to get kids into footie. He wished the squad good luck as they prepare to defend their title in the Euros next month in Switzerland. 6 6 6 Captain Leah Williamson handed the PM a shirt emblazoned with 'STARMER 10' at St George's Park. The PM said the Lionesses will help boost national pride after last summer was rocked by rioting. 'That's one of the amazing things about football,' he told The Sun. 'That sense of getting behind your country, being part of your country. 'It's a moment for the whole country to come together, but also for a legacy for the country.' He praised our Footie for All campaign helping to protect kids' clubs hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. The drive, alongside Tesco, distributed 300k worth of grants to children's grassroots football. It was backed by England legends Millie Bright and Rachel Daly as well as Jarrod Bowen and Phil Foden. Sir Keir also revealed how his 14-year-old daughter had been inspired by the Lionesses. The PM said: 'I could see her getting drawn in because it was women's football, and she could relate to it in a different way.' It comes as ministers unveiled a major £900m fund to help grassroots sport and international events. It will mean more pitches, pools and changing rooms for villages and towns. Schools will also have to publish their sports clubs and activities for kids to shine a light on whether girls are getting the same access as boys. The PM praised the Lionesses for their campaign to get girls equal access to sport. And wished them good luck for the tournament: 'The whole country is behind you. 'Not only have you made history, but you have inspired the next generation to find a sport they love.' England and Wales face each other on July 13, at 8pm UK time, with both nations in Group D alongside France and the Netherlands. The Lionesses will face France on July 5 at 8pm, while Wales play the Netherlands at 5pm. On July 9, England will play the Netherlands at 5pm while Wales face France at 8pm. The semi-finals are set to take place on July 22 and 23 at 8pm UK time, with the final on July 27 at 5pm. The Lionesses made history when they beat old rivals Germany at a Wembley final 2-1 in 2022. PROUD OF BECKS Sir Keir congratulated David Beckham on his knighthood. The Prime Minister said he was really proud of the England legend - even though he didn't play for his beloved Arsenal. 'He's been an iconic footballer,' the PM told The Sun. 'Absolutely brilliant. 'Particularly in that England role, but also the other stuff that he's done since he's stopped playing football professionally." The footie legend, 50, became a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list. 6 6 6
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England women's football team
Chloe Kelly has insisted England's Euros title defence is her only focus amid reports of Arsenal seeking to sign her on a permanent basis 07.00 AEST England's head coach has named a mixture of youth and experience in her squad for the tournament in Switzerland 5 June 2025 23.06 AEST Millie Bright has withdrawn from Euro 2025 contention 'for my health and future', soon after Fran Kirby and Mary Earps retired 5 June 2025 05.01 AEST World Cup captain's withdrawal is a serious wake-up call to the sport, and leaves questions for coach Sarina Wiegman over loss of three key players 4 June 2025 05.10 AEST Lucy Bronze believes Arsenal's Women's Champions League final success against Barcelona can help England's chances of winning more silverware 3 June 2025 03.40 AEST 31 May 2025 23.18 AEST Leah Williamson said she was 'devastated' by Mary Earps' retirement from international football while Sarina Wiegman refused to be drawn on what conversations she had with the goalkeeper 29 May 2025 21.54 AEST About 1,830 results for England women's football team
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
English Women's Super League expanding to 14 teams from 2026
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Super League - Chelsea v Liverpool - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 10, 2025 Chelsea's Millie Bright lifts the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after winning the Women's Super League Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo REUTERS The English Women's Super League (WSL) will expand from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season, WSL Football said on Monday, and a promotion/relegation playoff will be introduced. The changes, subject to approval by the FA Board, mean that two teams will be automatically promoted from the second-tier WSL2 next season and the third-placed club in tier two will face the bottom club in WSL in a playoff. From the 2026-27 season onwards, the 13th-placed side in the top division will meet the runners-up of WSL2 in a promotion/relegation playoff, and the WSL's bottom club will be relegated and replaced by the winners of the second division. "Expanding the WSL to 14 teams will stimulate movement between leagues and through the pyramid which increases opportunities," WSL CEO Nikki Doucet said. "The introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-English Women's Super League expanding to 14 teams from 2026
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's Super League - Chelsea v Liverpool - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 10, 2025 Chelsea's Millie Bright lifts the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after winning the Women's Super League Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo (Reuters) -The English Women's Super League (WSL) will expand from 12 to 14 teams from the 2026-27 season, WSL Football said on Monday, and a promotion/relegation playoff will be introduced. The changes, subject to approval by the FA Board, mean that two teams will be automatically promoted from the second-tier WSL2 next season and the third-placed club in tier two will face the bottom club in WSL in a playoff. From the 2026-27 season onwards, the 13th-placed side in the top division will meet the runners-up of WSL2 in a promotion/relegation playoff, and the WSL's bottom club will be relegated and replaced by the winners of the second division. "Expanding the WSL to 14 teams will stimulate movement between leagues and through the pyramid which increases opportunities," WSL CEO Nikki Doucet said. "The introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match." (Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Dramatic inside story of Millie Bright's toughest week yet as star quits Euros & dumps fiance…& why she has ‘no regrets'
The England ace has been spotted with a new diamond ring on her little finger BRIGHT FUTURE Dramatic inside story of Millie Bright's toughest week yet as star quits Euros & dumps fiance…& why she has 'no regrets' JUST 18 months ago she was flashing her diamond engagement ring on a sun-soaked holiday in Mauritius, toasting a future with the man she called her 'King'. But today Lioness Millie Bright is sporting a very different ring on her finger, with her life having seemingly been upended in the space of a week. 6 Millie Bright has pulled out of the Euro 2025 tournament Credit: PA 6 She has also split from her fiance Levi Crew Credit: Instagram It began with her shock withdrawal from the Euro 2025 squad due to not being able to 'give 100 per cent mentally or physically' - a decision she admitted was 'one of the hardest I've ever had to make'. Physically, defender Millie is recovering from knee surgery which saw her miss a date with Prince William yesterday to collect her OBE from Windsor Castle. On a personal level, this week it emerged she's split from husband-to-be Levi Crew and fallen for married personal trainer and dad-of-seven, Dave Zetolofsky, 39. She's also been spotted with a new diamond ring on her little finger - though there's no suggestion it's an engagement ring. Meanwhile all mentions of Levi have been swiftly deleted from Chelsea captain Millie's social media accounts, including that Christmas Day engagement post. But people who know Millie, 31, are not remotely surprised by this single-minded determination to do what's right for her. "Millie is not the type of woman to be troubled by self doubt or regret," said a source, adding that she makes tough decisions, and sticks to them. An onlooker said: 'Millie's had a chaotic few weeks with news of her split and pulling out of the England squad. But she's as tough in real life as she is on the pitch.' It's arguably this ruthless, resilient mentality that has got Millie so far in life - going from earning £25 a week in a Yorkshire pit village to a historic victory in the 2022 Euros, leading the women's national team to the 2023 World Cup final, winning 19 trophies with Chelsea and living in a Surrey mansion worthy of glossy magazine spreads. Up until recently she shared this immaculate home with Levi, whom she was so devoted to that she proudly displayed a tattoo of his eye on her left arm, along with a tiger because 'he gave her core strength through thick and thin'. England footie ace Millie Bright's hunky new personal trainer lover revealed as kickboxer dad of SEVEN She raved about her 'perfect kitchen' after it was fitted by high end designers Howdens to include a bespoke pet space under the breakfast bar for her beloved French bulldogs Zeus and Hera, named after Greek gods. And the garden boasts an Explore ice bath which she uses for her post game ritual. Millie is thought to have met heavily inked former pro kickboxer and martial arts enthusiast Dave in February. She joined 21st Century Combat, the gym he co-owns with his wife Katie close to her Surrey mansion, and signed up to his gruelling exercise classes. There is no suggestion that Millie or Dave cheated on their partners. Eyes on the prize 6 Millie and Levi got engaged on Christmas Day in 2023 Credit: Instagram 6 Millie's new love is former pro kickboxer and martial arts enthusiast Dave Zetolofsky, 39 Credit: Facebook From an early age, Millie always had her eyes firmly fixed on the prize. Growing up among the Derbyshire collieries, little Millie's childhood was quite idyllic. She first sat on a horse when she was one, and was riding by the age of three - insisting that horses were her 'life rather than a hobby'. Determined and dedicated, Millie would rise early and be out working in her family's stable yard by 6am most mornings before school, rain or shine. She competed every weekend, and the owl Millie has tattooed on her arm is a likeness of the one that flew back to her parents barn every year. But suddenly, at the age of nine, she decided to sacrifice it all after stumbling across football by accident. Millie's had a chaotic few weeks with news of her split and pulling out of the England squad. But she's as tough in real life as she is on the pitch Source Bored while watching a friend train one morning at her local club, Killamarsh Dynamos, she decided to join in the session. That was the moment everything changed, and from then on Millie's life revolved around the Dynamos. Millie was such a key player that the club would later name their pitches after her. Inevitably she outgrew the Dynamos and a few years later - dressed as one of the mustachioed runners from the 118 118 directory enquiries service for a charity run - she seized the opportunity to introduce herself to Paul Green, then manager of Doncaster Belles. He recalled that her handshake was so strong that day it took him aback. Unable to refuse her, her contract was quickly a done deal. 'Diamond in the rough' 6 Millie has won 19 trophies with Chelsea F.C. Women Credit: Alamy Another former Doncaster manager, John Buckley, remembers Millie as a diamond in the rough. 'From the minute she came in she was totally involved, a cracking girl,' he said. Back then women's football was not the big business it is today, and her wages were just £25 a week. Undeterred, Millie juggled two part time jobs - working as a fitness instructor and a horse groom at Esberger's Yard in Todwick - to supplement her meagre income. In 2019 she recalled in an interview with the BBC how an ankle injury at that time not only robbed her of her earnings from football, but left her claiming benefits because she could not work her two other jobs either. From the minute she came in she was totally involved, a cracking girl John Buckley Ever supportive, her parents Nicola and Steve forked out for private surgery and the club paid for her rehabilitation. 'She was always so driven and eventually, she knew what she wanted to do - which was to play professional football,' said Sheila Edmunds, the president of the Doncaster Rovers Belles. A family friend added: 'It was always blood, sweat and tears with Millie, she would play until her entire body hurt.' As her football career grew more demanding in her teens, Millie was forced to make another tough choice. She had to abandon the stables for good - and now Millie is barred from horse riding at all by her insurers. After that of course Millie soared to greater heights and spells in midfield meant she was a direct opponent of England legend Jill Scott, then at Everton. In one press conference Scott said: 'The girl I played against tonight, that young girl - she's the most aggressive player I've ever played against.' Millie's mum and dad were in the stands at every game, along with her no-nonsense grandparents Margaret and Arthur. Arthur Bramall, a tough former coal miner who spent his career at the Rossington colliery in Doncaster, is the person Millie relies on the most for honest feedback about her performance on the pitch. Bitter blow 6 Millie's England teammates have flocked to support her Credit: PA Her decision to withdraw from the Euro 2025 squad as they began preparations for the tournament in Switzerland next month was a bitter blow for fans. Millie admitted: 'The demands of it are incredibly high and I would see it as a little bit selfish to take up an opportunity in a position from somebody else when I'm not 100 per cent there. 'It wasn't an easy decision. I gave it a lot of thought. 'But ultimately, I thought this was the best decision for the team, but also for myself and using this summer to really just zone into mentally, physically, getting myself back in tip-top condition and just happy again, all round, just feeling like myself. It's obviously hard.' Fans have rallied to support Millie on social media, as have her teammates, with Arsenal striker Chloe Kelly writing: "Proud of you always". Aston Villa's Rachel Daly posted: "Couldn't be more proud. With you through everything my girl,' and a message on the official Lionesses account read: "We're all with you, Millie." England manager Sarina Wiegman said: "She has to take care of herself. We will stay in contact and I hope she feels better soon." While she'll no doubt find it difficult watching her team play on without her, Millie's new love certainly provides a big shoulder to cry on.
