Eze's school sends semi-final good luck messages

Teachers describe Eberechi Eze as a "role model"

Good luck messages have been sent to Eberechi Eze ahead of England's Euro 2024 semi-final match against the Netherlands.

His former teachers at Fossdene Primary School near Greenwich, south-east London, have said they will be cheering the Crystal Palace player on, along with current pupils.

The children said they hoped their parents would let them stay up late to watch the game.

Lisa Shaw, the assistant head and Eze's former Year 6 teacher, told the BBC he had been a "delightful" student and an "all-rounder" who had given generously to the school since leaving.

Eze during a visit to see pupils at his former school

Ms Shaw said he had been on Arsenal's books while attending the school and that he was "very talented and very popular".

Speaking about Eze's participation in the Euros, his former teacher said: "We are all so proud at school," adding that he was a "role model" for her pupils.

Ms Shaw said: "One of the school values is resilience and aspiration and he just delivers that in bucketloads."

She added: "We talk to the children about his climb to where he is today, because he has had lots of challenges in his way too, so it's a good talking point."

She said Eze had visited the school "numerous times" and had let the children take penalties against him.

The teacher said the England player also gave the school a boost at Christmas.

"He came to draw our raffle and supplied all the prizes for the raffle," she said, with the children winning signed football tops and boots as prizes.

Elianna in Year 6 told the BBC that watching the England player "makes me feel really proud" and said: "It's really exciting to see him go on the pitch and just know that he came to my school."

Over in Sidcup, south-east London, Cray Wanderers FC have sent their best wishes to their former player, Marc Guehi.

CEO Sam Wright and former first team manager Ian Jenkins said the England and Crystal Palace player was "doing us proud".

Marc Guehi, who was a youth player for Cray Wanderers FC, is now a Crystal Palace and England defender

They wished him good luck and said he was inspiring "every single youth team player at the club".

The pair have travelled to Germany to support England in their semi-final game.