Superfan spends thousands supporting Lionesses

Zoe Bleach says she spends more than £4,000 a year supporting the Lionesses

A Lioness superfan says she spends thousands of pounds supporting the England women's national team.

Zoe Bleach, from Gravesend in Kent, has travelled around the world to watch her favourite footballers – and even built a Lioness-themed pub in her back garden.

"I don't regret a single penny I've spent supporting the Lionesses," said Mrs Bleach, ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden on Thursday.

The 42-year-old said while she had been a football fan since the age of two, the Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022 "catapulted women's football in this country into the stratosphere".

She added: "I have watched both the men's and women's for years, but to be able to watch women's football on mainstream channels feels very special. This is what I wanted since I was 15."

Zoe Bleach built a Lioness-themed pub in her garden in Gravesend

Mrs Bleach, a sports physiotherapist, said she previously coached an 11-year-old Chloe Kelly at the Middlesex Centre for Excellence.

She said she was proud that the formerly "quiet and shy" girl was now an inspiration for millions as a striker for both Arsenal and England.

"She wouldn't say boo to a goose," Mrs Bleach said. "I wouldn't have looked at her then and said she would be who she is today.

"It's not handed to any of the girls on a plate, so they deserve it all the more."

Zoe Bleach's Lioness-themed pub features England memorabilia

Mrs Bleach says she also uses 10 days of annual leave a year to pursue her passion.

In 2003, she travelled to the US to watch the Lionesses and meet her idol Kelly Smith.

She and her wife Elizabeth also spent five months building a £3,000 pub in their garden - The Lionesses Den - to watch the Women's World Cup in 2023, and a further £1,000 on memorabilia.

"When there's big tournaments, I look at the schedule and book annual leave right up to the final, in the hope they get there," Mrs Bleach said.

She said she also booked tickets to most matches during Euro 2022, including the final.

England face Sweden in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro at 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC1.

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