Lioness legend Jill Scott has thanked the first ever women's captain Sheila Parker for "paving the way" for their success.
The England midfielder, 35, filmed a touching video to Sheila, 75, at the Manchester coffee shop she runs with her partner Shelly, before the pair jet-off on a well-deserved holiday.
Happily posing with her Gold medal from Sunday’s spectacular defeat over Germany, she says in the personal video: "Hi Sheila, I wanted you to know that you are part of the Lioness family - the first ever captain, here's the Gold medal and I hope you know you've played your part as well. So from everyone who is now in the Lionesses, thank you so much for paving the way for us all and I hope you know you're appreciated - thank you!"
While out grabbing a coffee in Manchester, I bumped into Jill at her Northendon shop, Boxx2Boxx - named after her infamous role as a box-to-box midfielder.
In between making coffees for her customers, Jill told me: “I have been playing for England for 16 years so to win now at this stage in my career... I just don't have any words.”
Despite living in - arguably! - the world’s most famous footballing city, I can’t say the men’s game has ever interested me.
But I have been converted into a football superfan thanks to the Lionesses’ incredible performance in this year’s tournament.
And players like Jill have inspired women in her own team such as Chloe Kelly, 24 - the pair was pictured celebrating after Chloe’s extraordinary extra-time goal.
Jill adds: “It's so amazing to see the younger players come through like Chloe and how well they're doing. The game has changed so much and I just hope we made a difference for them.”
