Hometown pride for Lionesses ahead of final

left to right, back to front) England's Jess Carter, Lauren James, Leah Williamson, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze, Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh and Alex Greenwood before the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Group D match at the Arena St. Gallen in St. Gallen, Switzerland.Image source, PA Media
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The Lionesses will face Spain in Sunday's final

  • Published

Friends and fans in the Warwickshire hometowns of football stars Jess Carter and Hannah Hampton have spoken of their pride at the Lioness' success.

Carter took her first steps in football with Warwick Juniors as a six-year-old and those who watched it happen said she stood out instantly.

"She just shone, she had to play against the quality players of West Bromwich Albion, and Coventry City FC and was superb, " said Dean Brandrick, a coach for Warwick Juniors.

He added: "At the end of her career with us she won the county cup, she was just above anybody at that time."

A man is standing in a field and looking at the camera. He is wearing sunglasses and a black top with green patches on the shoulders
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Dean Brandrick coached Jess Carter as a child

Mr Brandrick coached Carter until she left for Birmingham City and they have remained in contact.

He described how seeing her being presented with a cap to mark her 50th appearance was a proud moment.

"Tremendous achievement for her, from being a grassroots footballer for so long, she's achieved everything I think possible," the coach said.

In Studley, where goalkeeper Hampton grew up, pride is evident as specially knitted postbox toppers have lined the village.

Monica Smith, of Spotty Pots Pottery Painting, told the BBC: "She came from Studley, she's played here, she's part of the fabric of this little village.

A woman in a red top is smiling widely ad the camera, she has a head band with two England flags on sticks. In the background a women in a white top has her back to the camera and a girl with a ponytail is looking away from the camera
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Flags have adorned shops across Studley, Monica Smith said

"There's a lot of buzz around, we've got lots of flags in shops, people are talking about it and we are just so proud of them all and so excited to see what happens on Sunday."

England will face Spain in Sunday's final at 17:00 BST.

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