SIR Keir Starmer today hints England’s Lionesses will be rewarded with honours after their Euros triumph, as he declares: “Recognition is coming.”
The PM praised the two-time champions as “true history-makers” who have inspired a generation — including his own daughter.
AlamyThe Lionesses are set to be rewarded with honours after their Euros triumph[/caption]
GettyDutch manager Sarina Wiegman could be made an Honorary Dame[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialChloe Kelly celebrates against Spain[/caption]
And he hailed England’s great values of “decency, fairness and respect” that spurred on the squad’s success in Switzerland.
The Lionesses are back-to-back Euros winners after beating Spain in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
England heroes Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are among those expected to get gongs in the New Year’s Honours List.
Their Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman could be made an Honorary Dame after leading her squad to double glory.
Writing exclusively in today’s Sun on Sunday, the footie-mad PM says: “What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable.
“So recognition is coming — and it will be worthy of their historic success.”
Sir Keir flew to Basel to watch them roar to victory in last Sunday’s final at St Jakob-Park.
Supersub Kelly scored the winning penalty for England and goalie Hampton saved two Spanish spot-kicks to help secure glory.
The Cabinet Office oversees the honours and details of who is in line for a them are a fiercely kept secret until they are officially named but there is a long history of sports champs getting gongs.
The squad were widely honoured after winning the Euros for the first time three years ago.
Captain Leah Williamson, also skipper for the second triumph, got an OBE, while Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White were made MBEs.
Kelly missed out on a gong in 2022 despite scoring England’s match-winning goal in their extra-time win over Germany in the final at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate was handed a knighthood after leading the men’s England team to their second consecutive Euros final last year.
GettySupersub Michelle Agyemang celebrates scoring with teammate Ella Toone[/caption]
GettyLionesses wave to fans during the team’s victory parade[/caption]
The entire men’s English cricket team got honours after beating the Aussies in the 2005 Ashes.
And in 2003, the England rugby union team were all given OBEs after their World Cup victory.
David Beckham was told earlier this year he will get a knighthood.
Meanwhile, Lioness Lauren Hemp has recreated the Euros trophy out of 3,000 Lego bricks.
The Man City forward shared a pic on Instagram captioned: “When two of my favourite things come together.”
Lauren Hemp poses with a Euros trophy she recreated out of 3,000 Lego bricksInstagram
Recognition will be worthy of Lionesses’ historic success
By Sir Keir Starmer
THIS summer, once again, the Lionesses united and inspired our whole nation, giving us moments we’ll always remember.
In pubs and living rooms across the country, we crowded around our screens with nerves jangling. We knew it would be dramatic with this team — and they didn’t disappoint.
Girls, like my own daughter, are dreaming that bit bigger because of what they have seen this team achieve.
And in playgrounds, parks, and clubs across our communities, it’s not just women and girls who are seeking to emulate their heroes — this team has inspired us all.
The stats will record the Lionesses are true history-makers — the first senior England team to win a major trophy overseas; back-to-back European champions — and with a hat-trick of trophies for Sarina.
But they are not just writing history, they are writing the future too. Because this story is about more than football.
It’s about the very right to play at all. It’s about what the Lionesses represent when they play for this country. And it’s about who we are, and what we can achieve together.
Some people might have written England off when we were 2-0 down to Sweden or a goal behind against Italy and Spain. But if they did, they don’t know this team — or this country.
I was lucky enough to be at the final, and I can tell you that English heads never went down.
The grit and determination that saw us come back in every one of those knock-out games was born of the same grit and determination with which this team faced down outdated attitudes that prevented some of their predecessors from even playing.
It’s the same courage and determination with which they called out vile and racist online abuse during the tournament.
When the Lionesses put that England shirt on, they stand for what we stand for together: England, in all its glory, with our shared history and values — decency, fairness and respect.
I have spoken to these players and heard their passion — for the game, for their country, and for the next generation that they want to inspire.
The pride, resilience and unity that define this team, define the very best of who we are. It has shown us, once again, what this country can achieve.
And I cannot think of better role models for our nation.
What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable. So recognition is coming — and it will be worthy of their historic success.
But the greatest tribute will be to use the inspiration of this summer to deliver a legacy the Lionesses have fought for: equal access to all sport for girls and boys. This government is rolling up its sleeves and making that a reality. The Lionesses have made an entire nation proud.
We’re determined to deliver a legacy they can be proud of too.
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