England's Lionesses made history by beating Germany 2-1 at the weekend to win the women's Euros - and now the historic victoric is being tipped to inspire a generation of girls in Bury and the rest of the country.
The 2-1 extra time victory on Sunday over the eight-time European champions was watched on TV by 17.4m and attended at Wembley by 87,192 people - a record crowd for a men's or women's Euro final.
With such great role models as the new Euro 2022 champions, girls and women across Bury may now decide to take up the game, whether that be by playing for fun or competitively.
😍 YOUR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS 😍 pic.twitter.com/8mW7ngE0fR
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 31, 2022
The borough's two MPs have praised the team for their stunning championship success.
Bury North MP James Daly said: “The England women’s team have been absolutely inspirational throughout the Euros.
"Future generations of female sport stars will look back on this England team and see how anything can be achieved through hard work and determination.
“Sunday's result will transform the interests of sports fans throughout the country positively towards the women’s game and I look forward to England building on their successes ahead of next year’s World Cup.”
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford added: “It was fantastic to see a great tournament culminate in England’s first major silverware since 1966.
“I have been a supporter of women’s football for some time and play with my four-year-old at home trying to get her into it.
“I would hope the future of women’s football is brighter than ever.
"This is an opportunity the government, sponsors and the FA alike must grab to ensure that Sunday is just the start of closing the gap between the men and women’s game and that we have generations of Chloe Kelly’s to come.
“My four-year-old used to say girls can’t play football.
"On Sunday I couldn’t be prouder to tell her she was wrong.”
Women’s and girls’ football clubs near Bury:
• Bury Allstars FC
• Bury AFC Women Recreational
• Bury FC Boys, Girls and Women
• Bury FC Foundation Women’s team
• Bury Rangers FC
• Westbury Sports Club
• Walshaw Sports Club Juniors FC
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here