Our own Fran Kirby will be one of the most famous names on the Wembley pitch at the Euro 2022 final today. She has not forgotten those who preceded her in the women’s game and played their part in building towards such a major occasion on the football calendar.
The 29-year-old is aiming to make history by helping England Women to their first major title. Standing in their way are Germany, eight-time winners of the Euros and twice world champions. They have Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in their squad.
Kirby, in a creative role behind the strikers, has two goals and three assists in the tournament so far. She put the icing on the cake in the 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden when she lifted the ball over Hedvig Lindahl whose touch could not prevent the fourth goal going in.
‘It was amazing,’ Kirby reflects. ‘Once I got in the area, I just thought “hit this and you never know what might happen”.
‘I've played with Hedvig before, so I knew that she liked to be quite aggressive off her line. I just thought I’d see if she was off her line and just try the shot. Luckily enough it went in so it topped off a fantastic performance.’
With the performance having taken the Lionesses into the final, Kirby considers the development of the game in her country.
‘I think we get caught up in the here and now, and how amazing the game today, but you have to recognise those who have paved the way for you and fought the battles that have allowed us to be where we are.
‘For all the girls who sacrificed a lot to play for England and who are now seeing us play at Wembley, we're now all seeing the rewards of all the hard work they put in to get us here. It’s massively important that we remember the players who have played before us, and those who have gone into coaching now and continue to grow the women's game.
‘It's really important that we continue to build with this team and with the Lionesses, and also remember those who fought to allow us to be where we are today.’