We coached star Lionesses when they were kids – here’s why we knew they’d be winners

As a double-EURO-winning Lioness, Alessia Russo is used to having all eyes on her.

She dragged England back into the match last night after scoring an equaliser about an hour in, taking the match to penalties which the Lionesses eventually won.

Even as a girl, playing at her local football club, she caught the attention of coaches and parents alike.

‘We used to watch her play, it was a bit unusual to have a girl playing in a boy’s team,’ Jamie Stevens, first team manager at Bearsted FC, told Metro.

‘When I was running our younger kids’ teams, Alessia used to be playing on the pitch next to us.

‘Everyone used to stand and watch, because she stood out, even at that young age.

‘That always stands out, when you’re watching someone score goals nigh on every single game they play.’

Bearsted FC is among the dozens of schools and football clubs up and down the country celebrating the success of the Lionesses – and their former pupils.

The team won after a penalty shootout in the Euro 2025 final against Spain on Sunday evening, eventually ending 3-1 to England.

The match was England’s first major trophy win abroad, after the Lionesses won Euro 2022 at home, and payback after England were defeated by Spain in the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.

Describing Alessia’s rise to success, Jamie told Metro: ‘It’s fantastic. It doesn’t surprise us with how she was when she was younger and how she’s gone through the age groups, it isn’t a surprise she’s done so well.

‘She’s such a nice, humble person. She’s got a great grounding from her family.

‘It’s been fantastic to watch, and watching her score the goal in the match on Sunday capped it off really.’

Other schools and teams have been congratulating their former pupils who helped to lift the trophy for the Lionesses last night.

Duchess’s Community High School celebrated its former pupil Lucy Bronze, saying: ‘Massive congratulations to Lucy Bronze on not only winning the Euros today but for being an inspiration to girls around the world.

‘Her tenacity and bravery today meant that England lifted the trophy! Well done ‘wor Lucy.’

A crucial member of the team throughout the tournament, even revealing she had played with a broken tibia, Lucy began her career in the north east.

She first played for Alnwick Town Juniors, where the club now have an award for the most outstanding female player each season named after her.

Mick Keane, 63, club secretary and manager of the under 14s girls club told Metro: ‘I think Lucy has already been inspiring the next generation, and will continue to do so.

‘I think the aim now for a lot of the girls playing is seeing a local girl get to that heights that she has. Winning two Euros and getting to a World Cup final, I think it’s more tangible than the men’s game.

‘I think they are all just normal girls, with normal backgrounds, who have gone on to achieve amazing things. They are all an inspiration to all the young girls out there wanting to play football.

‘She’s an absolute superstar and a fighter, and playing with an injury for the whole tournament sums up how much it meant to her.’

Mick added: ‘She came here to present the Lucy Bronze award to a girl on my team this year who won it and she was made up.

‘I think it is a trait of all of the girls that they are so down to earth that it is what makes them even bigger role models.

‘We’re all just immensely proud of her and we will just keep supporting her as much as we can.’

Upton Hall School shared a touching tribute to Niamh Charles, saying: ‘Congratulations to Niamh who is the epitome of an Upton girl #excellence #companionship #dignity #hope’

Brandon Groves Football Club, which coached Michelle Agyemang, has congratulated her after she was named Young Player of the Tournament at the 2025 EUROs.

Michelle played for the boy’s team at the club in Ockendon – but following her EUROs success she’s set a trend amongst the girl’s club there, with young players emulating her rolled-down socks and small shin pads.

Teachers and coaches have shared their former pupils’ star quality over the years, proving the Lionesses have had plenty of belief and support in their abilities – which has all been realised as they lifted the EUROs cup for the second time.

Jo Green, head of PE at Leah Williamson’s former school Ousedale School, told The Standard previously: ‘We are exceptionally proud of Leah. It is no surprise that she has gone on to achieve what she has so early in her career.

‘Leah was always a very kind, thoughtful and hard-working person in everything she did and we knew that Leah was destined to be successful.

‘We are sure she will continue on to even greater successes.’

Dean Brandrick is a coach for Warwick Juniors where Jess Carter first started her football career and ‘stood out instantly’ aged six.

He told the BBC: ‘She just shone, she had to play against the quality players of West Bromwich Albion, and Coventry City FC and was superb.

‘At the end of her career with us she won the county cup, she was just above anybody at that time.’

And Chloe Kelly’s first coach at QPR, Steve Quashie, recalled how Chloe would ‘showboat’ and embarrass other players with her talent.

‘Other boys who played in the area were saying: “This kid’s unbelievable, she’s nutmegging me and doing rainbow flicks and I can’t get the ball off her!”,’ he told The Times.

‘Being with her older brothers in the cages, getting roughed up a little bit, showed her that she could compete with bigger players. There’s just no fear in her.’

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