Calls grow to throw England squad heroes parade and give players gongs
Honour the Lionesses! Calls grow to throw England squad a heroes’ parade and give players gongs after reaching first ever Women’s World Cup final – as Sarina Wiegman tells team they can be ‘proud’ of historic achievement
- Fans took to Twitter to praise the team after the game, which ended 1-0
Calls have grown to throw the England squad a heroes’ parade and give players gongs for reaching the first ever Women’s World Cup final.
The team’s manager Sarina Wiegman told the team they can be ‘proud’ of their historic achievement after they lost 1-0 to Spain today.
Crying players were consoled on the pitch in Australia after suffering the agonising defeat, having inspired millions of fans to tune in up and down the country.
The Lionesses, ultimately sunk by Olga Carmona’s first half strike, were given a lifeline when Mary Earps – who won the Golden Glove award for the tournament’s best goalkeeper – made a terrific penalty save.
Keir Starmer was first to call for the Lionesses to be given honours after they came runners-up in the game.
Calls have grown to throw the England squad a heroes’ parade and give players gongs for reaching the first ever Women’s World Cup final
The team have been told they can be ‘proud’ of their historic achievement after they lost 1-0 to Spain today
Crying players were consoled on the pitch in Australia after suffering the agonising defeat against Spain, having inspired millions of fans to tune in up and down the country
England fans looked glum as they reacted to the match, which saw England lose 1-0
He said the team had ‘galvanised the whole nation through their historic achievement’ after becoming the first senior women’s England team to make the final two in a World Cup competition.
The Opposition leader said there was ‘no doubt’ that they should be given gongs to mark their second place achievement.
Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said ‘everyone on the team’ deserved an honour.
Fans took to Twitter to praise the team after the game, calling for them to be given a parade and gongs for their achievement.
One person wrote: ‘Gutted but so proud. I hope there is a homecoming parade for when they’re back, they deserve it win or lose! Heroes.’
Another said: ‘I do hope @EnglandFootball @CityWestminster @MayorofLondon @UKParliament are planning a huge welcome home parade for the @Lionesses. They got into the last two of the #FIFAWomensCup which needs celebrating. Proud.’
A third wrote: ‘Proud of you, each & every one of! You’ve inspired us, through your team spirit, determination & performance!
‘The final was one step too far, this time. Fantastic performance! Next step a very well deserved London bus parade & visit to Downing St/Buckingham Palace.’
Members of the Lionesses team found themselves recognised after their Euro 2022 victory last year.
Captain Leah Williamson, who was forced to miss the World Cup through injury, was among four European Championship winners to be named in the New Year Honours List.
Keir Starmer was first to call for the Lionesses to be given honours after they came runners-up in the game
She was made an OBE while her teammates Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White were all made MBEs.
Mead missed out on a spot in the squad that flew to Australia due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while striker White retired from football in August 2022, a month after the Euros win over Germany at Wembley.
Bronze and Mead were made MBEs by the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle in May.
Wiegman, the team’s Dutch head coach, also received an accolade as part of the New Year Honours 2022, after the Foreign Office made her an honorary CBE.
While they missed out on World Cup glory at Stadium Australia on Sunday, avid football fan Sir Keir said new honours should be handed out in recognition of the impact the Lionesses’ final run had had on the nation.
He said: ‘They’ve inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field.
‘There’s no doubt that they should be recognised by the honours system.’
After Sunday’s final whistle, Sir Keir tweeted that the result was ‘heartbreaking’.
He added: ‘So proud of the England team who inspired the whole country.
‘This is just the beginning for the Lionesses.’
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed said: ‘The Lionesses have made the whole country proud.
‘Last year they brought home the Euros and they put up an incredible fight in the final of the World Cup today.
Players were consoled after the devastating loss earlier today
England’s Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Lucy Bronze during the national anthem ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup final
‘They have inspired millions and brought football fans across the country together. Their incredible achievements deserve to be rewarded with honours for everyone on the team.’
British stars from the world of showbiz and broadcasting have shared messages of appreciation for the Lionesses who lost to Spain in the Women’s World Cup final.
Spain secured a final 1-0 victory in Sydney on Sunday, following Olga Carmona’s first-half goal, however, Sarina Wiegman’s side still achieved a best-ever second-place finish.
Consoling the team, who appeared visibly emotional after the final whistle was blown, former footballer turned pundit Chris Kamara tweeted: ‘England did us proud, great tournament and getting to the final was amazing.’
The 65-year-old added: ‘Got that horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. But well done Spain worthy winners on the day.’
Similarly, former England footballer and Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, 62, tweeted: ‘Gutted for the @lionesses who gave their all, but congratulations to Spain on winning the World Cup.
‘They were the better team and thoroughly deserved their victory.’
The Apprentice star Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: ‘Unlucky ladies you gave your all. You did so well to get to final of the world cup @Lionesses.’
Meanwhile, former Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis, 76, said the Lionesses ‘played with guts and did us proud’.
The 63-year-old added: ‘Not their day in the final result but a great tournament for them regardless.’
TV presenter Rylan Clark, who found fame on The X Factor in 2012, tweeted: ‘The @Lionesses keeping it going right to the last seconds. We’re all proud of ya!!!!’
British stand-up comedian Mark Steel also joked: ‘Now, to prove England’s women have achieved equality with men, they should all trash the local tapas bar.’
Similarly, Victoria Coren Mitchell, writer and host of the BBC’s Only Connect, tweeted: ‘Ah well. Useful lesson in disappointment for our children there. No point getting one’s hopes up in life.’
Further tributes came flooding in today from other politicians as well as celebrities and royals.
Prince William, who is president of the FA, has faced a backlash in recent days for his decision not to attend the historic match in Sydney, but Kensington Palace confirmed he was watching the game with wife Kate and children George, Charlotte and Louis at home in Sandringham, Norfolk.
In a personal message on X, formerly Twitter, the heir to the throne wrote: ‘Although it’s the result none of us wanted, @Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud.
‘Your spirit & drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come. Thank you for the footballing memories. Congratulations to Spain. W.’
Meanwhile, King Charles praised the Lionesses’ ‘skill, determination and team spirit’ for reaching the last stage of the tournament and sent his ‘heartfelt thoughts and commiserations on the result’ – but appeared to miss the game himself.
The monarch said the Lionesses’ achievements would ‘serve as an inspiration for generations to come – and, for that, your place in the history books is assured’.
But the King and Queen appeared to have missed watching the bulk of the game on television.
Charles and Camilla were pictured arriving at Crathie Kirk for a Sunday service while the England squad were being put through their paces in the tense clash in Sydney.
A Palace source had said on Saturday: ‘Both Their Majesties will be following Sunday’s events with the greatest interest.’
Charles, who is head of the Church of England, was driving the couple’s car on Sunday, while Camilla was seen smiling in the front passenger seat.
Last year, fans were left furious after just four members of England’s Euro 2022-winning team were recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Captain Leah Williamson was made an OBE, while Beth Mead, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze received MBEs.
But despite their role in winning England’s first major football trophy since the men’s 1966 World Cup success, the remainder of the squad were overlooked.
Asked why not all the England squad have been recognised following their Euros triumph, Sir Hugh Robertson, chairman of the honours sports committee, said: ‘The approach that we’ve tried to take with this is when we have these events there is a danger in sort of carpet-bombing the entire squad because then you get people who’ve done five minutes on the pitch and get an award.
‘So what we’ve tried to do is stick to the principle of the honours which is to recognise excellence and to recognise extraordinary contributions.’
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