England’s team of cheerleaders! The Lionesses are backed at the World Cup by their boyfriends, partners and families, injured Leah Williamson and Ian Wright… and it could be an epic party after Sunday’s final!
- England will face Spain in a historic World Cup final in Sydney on Sunday
- Lionesses soar in popularity as searches for England’s women’s kit skyrocket
- WATCH: Wiegman CAN’T recall Lauren James, Mail Sport’s Chris Sutton says
When the final whistle blew on England’s 3-1 victory against Australia, Sarina Wiegman’s England team made history as they qualified for the first World Cup final clash in their side’s history.
Just one year on from the team’s European Championship triumph, the squad – led by captain Millie Bright, will look to pull of the scarcely-seen feat of holding both trophies simulultaneously, an achievement only managed by two times previously.
But as Wiegman finesses her preparations with less than 48 hours to go until her side steps out onto the pitch at Stadium Australia, a less well-known squad is readying themselves for their own small, but significant, role in England’s story.
Meet England’s cheerleaders: the boyfriends, partners, and families – as well as one or two more high-profile names – roaring on the Lionesses to victory throughout the competition.
Here, Mail Sport looks at who might be in the stands on Sunday, spurring England on to the ultimate glory.
Ella Toone is among the Lionnesses who has drawn support from having her family – and boyfriend Joe Bunney – around her in Australia
The Toones will be roaring England on as they look to see their first-ever World Cup on Sunday
Along with the player’s families, England are being cheered to victory by friends and former team-mates like Jill Scott (right) and injured captain Leah Williamson
JOE BUNNEY AND THE TOONES
Non-league footballer Bunney has previously been described as Toone’s ‘biggest fan’, and he has been doing the monniker a great service Down Under with his unwavering support of the England history-maker.
Along with Toone’s family, Bunney has travelled from match to match, proudly sharing updates on his girlfriend’s successes via Instagram.
Bunney has been spending time with Toone’s family, including her parents Nick and Karen, as the family travels the country in support of the talented forward
Bunney and Toone’s father Nick sported custom bucket hats with Toone’s gleeful reaction post-Euro 2022 win – ‘I’m absolutely buzzing me head off!’ – printed on the front
On days away from the stands, Bunney has enjoyed days out to check out local wildlife, and play golf with Toone’s father (right)
IAN WRIGHT
The Arsenal legend has been a vocal standard-bearer for women’s football for some time, and Wright’s appearances in the stands cheering on Wiegman’s side has had an almost talismanic effect on the team’s fortunes.
On media duties with FIFA, Wright has also found time to pop up on ITV’s coverage alongside fellow Lionesses cheerleader Jill Scott, and take in matches elsewhere in the tournament with FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development – and his former boss – Arsene Wenger.
Ian Wright has been a vocal advocate for women’s football and has been closely tracking England’s fortunes at the World Cup
The Arsenal legend was gleefully spotted by fans at Stadium Australia after the final whistle on England’s semi-final
Wright was over the moon after the Lionesses booked their place in Sunday’s final, wrapping Lauren Hemp up in an enormous hug
Wright also met up with his former manager Arsene Wenger to take in one of France’s fixture
LEAH WILLIAMSON
A tragically-timed ACL injury kept the England captain out of Wiegman’s side this summer, but in keeping with the spirit of team leadership, Williamson has scarcely missed a minute of England’s progress.
The Arsenal star has travelled with her brother and friends to support England from the stands, and delighted fans by her gleeful recollection of the last time the Lionesses won a quarter-final 2-1 to reach the semi-finals… Euro 2022.
The England captain lounged poolside in between games whilst enjoying the spell Down Under
The gang took in a trip to Sydney Opera House too, a ferry ride away from Stadium Australia
Former team-mates Williamson and Scott took in England’s quarter-final together last week
The captain posed with her brother and team-mates Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, and Keira Walsh (left to right)
THE STANWAYS
Georgia Stanway has been supported loudly by her family, including her two of her three brothers, John Paul and Sol.
The brothers have been sharing their sister’s sucesses on Instagram, and even linked up with Alessia Russo’s brother, Giorgio, to take in the sights.
Georgia Stanway’s family has played a large role in boosting the player’s spirits in Australia
Stanway snapped a picture with her brothers John Paul and Sol after beating the Matildas
Stanway’s brother posted an video shushing opposition fans as he gleefully celebrated the win
The Stanway brothers also enjoyed a meet-up with Alessia Russo’s brother Giorgio (right)
JILL SCOTT
Jill Scott will be delighted that her long-held World Cup record appearances tally is set to broken on Sunday by former team-mate Lucy Bronze, such is the Queen of the Jungle’s excitement at England’s progression.
Working as a pundit for ITV, Scott has been a regular feature pitchside, linking up with former team-mates including Williamson, and Ellen White – on duty for competitior BBC.
Jill Scott has been watching the Lionesses’ progression closely during her time in Australia
The former England star was quick to congratulate her old team-mate, tournament captain Millie Bright (right)
Scott has been on duty for ITV during the tournament, as well as taking a hosting role for Nike
THE BRONZES
Barcelona’s Lucy Bronze has two of the more adorable mascots in tow at the competition – her niece Alzira, 2, and her nephew Freddie, 3 – who the defender says keep her grounded because ‘they don’t really have a clue about anything in terms of the occasion’.
Her parents, and brother Jorge, are also in attendance to support the 31-year-old – if watching on a little more nervously.
Lucy Bronze has said she prefers chatting to her niece and nephew at tournaments to keep the nerves at bay
Source: Read Full Article