Bronze feels confident game will only improve
LUCY Bronze expects women’s football to go from strength to strength in England following the Lionesses’ stunning success at
Euro 2022.
The right-back admits the past week has been a blur as she and her team-mates have celebrated their tournament victory.
The triumph, sealed by beating Germany in the final after extra time at Wembley on July 31, has brought unprecedented attention to the women’s game in the UK.
Northumberland-born Bronze has seen the game’s profile grow considerably during her career and is confident that will continue.
The 30-year-old told the PA news agency: “It’s been over a week now but it still feels like it was yesterday. They’re memories that will live at the forefront of our brains for the rest of our lives.
“Women’s football, when I started, was quite low in terms of funding and crowds. We’ve had to build it up a lot.
“I’m so happy I’ve been part of this journey where I’ve seen it at the very bottom and come to the very top, winning a major tournament with England.
“To have the perspective and see how everything has changed and for the good of the game – to have been a small part of that is amazing.
“The Women’s Super League is going from strength to strength and, as an England team, the FA continue to push us and want us to do better.
“We’ve got great young players coming through and we can see now the media and sponsors are more behind us. That will help grow the game as well.
“As long as everyone carries on being on board with it, and we carry on performing on the pitch, there is no reason why we can’t keep continuing this legacy we have kicked off by winning the tournament.”
Bronze, who started every game at the Euros and teed up Chloe Kelly’s winner in the final, has enjoyed glittering career at club level. Her honours include WSL wins with both Liverpool and Manchester City as well as Champions League success with Lyon. She also won FIFA’s women’s world player of year award in 2020 and is joining Barcelona next season.