Euros football hero Alessia to receive honour in home town
England football hero Alessia Russo will be honoured in her home town for her part in the Lionesses’s victory in the Women’s Euros.
Alessia grew up in Maidstone and went to school in the County Town before going on to enter the record books by becoming part of the victorious England team in the Women’s European Championships.
She will be honoured by having a room at the new Mote Park cafe and visitor centre named after her, the borough council has declared.
Alessia, who came on as a substitute in the 2-1 extra time win over Germany at Wembley, will be invited to a civic reception and asked to officially open the new centre. Students from her
old schools – East Farleigh Primary and St Simon Stock secondary – as well as players from her old team, Bearsted FC, are set to join her and the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Mortimer.
Cllr Mortimer said: “Maidstone Borough Council is delighted to be able to officially recognise Alessia with this civic recognition at the new Mote Park Visitor Centre.
“We are very much looking forward to her opening this state-ofthe-art facility which will be so important to our beautiful park. Well done Alessia - everyone in Maidstone is so proud of you.”
The date of the opening is yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Alessia, who started out playing for Bearsted FC and the Gillingham-based Soccer Elite FA – and now plays up front for Manchester United – says she hopes England’s Euros triumph has helped to inspire the next generation.
“As a female athlete, you are a role model,” she told Sky.
“You have to inspire the young girls – or else you are not doing your job. That’s how I see myself off the pitch.
“I just want to inspire girls to go out there and play, and get involved in football – or whatever sport it may be.
“I just let my football on the pitch do the talking and then, off the pitch, just try and encourage and inspire the next generation.”
Alessia praised her family – including brothers, Giorgio and Luca, and parents Mario and Carol – for the support they have given her throughout her career.
She said: “Absolutely, I think it’s huge credit to the family. There’s no point, getting too ahead of yourself.
“We have just won a tournament – and it’s amazing – but there’s still loads more we want to achieve.”