The Lionesses have captured the hearts of the nations on their way to beating Germany and earning a historic win at the Euro 2022 final on Sunday (July 31). England's women secured their first ever tournament success - and the country's first in almost 60 years.
Backed by home support, the Lionesses looked like a champion side from the opening night and saw off Spain and Sweden en route to the final, which they won in extra-time. Chloe Kelly, on as a substitute, scored the winning goal with ten minutes to go.
The Manchester City forward raced away in celebration, taking her shirt off, before the entire team enjoyed their historic moment once the full-time whistle went. More than 87,000 people packed into Wembley - a record for a UEFA international competition.
Read more: Waving union jacks and drinks to the sky: Manchester fanzone erupts as England win Euro 2022
Sarina Wiegman's side saw off all competition to book a spot in the showpiece showdown at Wembley against old rivals Germany. A host of squad members have become household names since the tournament kicked off last month, from Golden Boot-chaser Beth Mead to captain Leah Williamson and goalkeeper Mary Earps.
But what do we know about our nation's top footballers - and what are their lives like away from the pitch? Here, we reveal all you need to know about the players and their partners, husbands, wives and girlfriends.
Demi Stokes
Demi, 30, who plays for Manchester City, recently welcomed her first child with fiancée Katie Harrington. NHS worker Katie, 32, gave birth to son Harlen Harrington-Stokes in May after he was conceived via IVF.
It took the couple two years to conceive after they initially struggled with it not working, something Demi has spoken out about in the hope it will help other same-sex couples, reports the Mirror. Demi said: “In our head, it was a case of: ‘we’re just going to go down to the clinic and then it will work and we’ll have a baby’... but it wasn’t as simple as that, and we had to learn.”
Demi has also spoken out about her difficult upbringing. Her mum was a survivor of domestic violence, and Demi and her four siblings moved from their native Birmingham to a women’s refuge in Newcastle. She was then brought up by her grandmother, who died in 2015.
Demi said: “I feel like life can be a storm and I’ve come out the other end.”
Leah Williamson
Selected as England Captain despite only playing for six minutes in total at the 2019 World Cup, Arsenal player Leah, 25, describes herself as being ‘exceptionally’ patriotic. She added: “I’ve been brought up that way – so I love representing my country.”
Off the pitch, Leah appears to be private about her love life. She has spoken about her close friendship with England teammate Keira Walsh, 25.
The pair met playing football for youth groups - but are reportedly banned from sharing a room on international duty to ensure they don’t isolate themselves. Away from football, Leah, who is also studying accountancy part time, fancies herself as a singer, saying Keira has walked in on her performing in her bedroom before.
Her talent runs in the family. Leah said: “My grandad once had a Top 40 hit with his band The Good Time Losers called Trafalgar Square. They supported Pink Floyd and The Who back in the day so we are a musical family.”
Alex Greenwood
Manchester City player Alex, 28, met childhood sweetheart - and fellow footballer - Jack O’Connell, also 28, when they were studying at Savio Salesian College in Bootle. Jack, who plays for Sheffield United, and Alex tend to keep a low profile on social media, as the England star has suffered abuse and even death threats from trolls.
However, they have given fans an insight into their life together on occasion, recently uploading holiday snaps from a luxury trip to Dubai.
Georgia Stanway
Georgia, 23, was the youngest player in England’s World Cup line-up and recently signed for Bayern Munich. She is often seen at rugby matches cheering on her boyfriend Olly Ashall-Bolt, 24, who plays rugby league for Toulouse Olympique.
When he’s not in France, Olly, who has dated Georgia since messaging her on Instagram in March 2018, lives with Georgia in Widnes, Cheshire. The pair developed an unusual hobby - fishing - during lockdown and still do it regularly.
Olly said: “Literally within the second time of going, Georgia caught the biggest fish ever, she’s so competitive in everything she does.”
While Georgia says Olly’s rugby friends are settling down, they don’t plan to get married or have children yet. She added: “We’re enjoying each other’s company, we’re still young and just loving life. I’ve got trophies that I want to lift before I lift any children up.”
Lauren Hemp
Manchester City striker Lauren Hemp, 21, has been hugely tipped as one of the Lionesses to watch, having won four Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year awards over the years. Like several of her fellow players, Lauren is dating a footballer.
She has been in a relationship with Ellie Butler, 20, who has played for Wolves also as a striker since last summer. The pair are also fairly private on social media, but recently posted pictures on Instagram of them enjoying a holiday to Amsterdam with friends.
Lauren started out in the world of sport as a cricketer, but ditched it for the beautiful game.
Jill Scott
Sunderland-born Jill, 35, has been a member of the Lionesses for 16 years and is the second-most capped player in their history. At five foot 11, she has earned the nickname ‘Crouchy’ from her teammates - a reference to lanky former footballer Peter Crouch.
She has been engaged to Shelly Unitt, 37, since 2020 and the couple own a coffee shop in Manchester together. Shelly is the sister of former England player Rachel Unitt, so is used to travelling around to watch games.
She recalled that when her and Jill went on holiday together after the 2019 World Cup, Shelly was struck by the positive public response. She added: “Everyone was recognising her, and she had a lot of time for everyone. They were telling her she’d played well, that everyone was getting together in their family homes and making time to watch these games.”
Rachel Daly
Born in Harrogate, Rachel, 30, now spends most of her time across the pond where she plays for Texan team Houston Dash. She was previously linked to her teammate Kristie Mewis but Rachel is now in a long-distance relationship with Manchester United player Millie Turner, 25.
Unlike her teammates, Rachel regularly shares loved-up photos on social media, often with their dog Dexi in tow.
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