The England superfan who spends thousands supporting Lionesses
She added: "I have watched both the men's and women's for years, but to be able to watch women's football on mainstream channels feels very special. This is what I wanted since I was 15."
Ms Bleach, a sports physiotherapist, said she previously coached an 11-year-old Chloe Kelly at the Middlesex Centre for Excellence.She said she was proud that the formerly "quiet and shy" girl was now an inspiration for millions as a striker for both Arsenal and England."She wouldn't say boo to a goose," Ms Bleach said. "I wouldn't have looked at her then and said she would be who she is today."It's not handed to any of the girls on a plate, so they deserve it all the more."
Ms Bleach says she also uses 10 days of annual leave a year to pursue her passion.In 2003, she travelled to the US to watch the Lionesses and meet her idol Kelly Smith.She and her partner Elizabeth also spent five months building a £3,000 pub in their garden - The Lionesses Den - to watch the Women's World Cup in 2023, and a further £1,000 on memorabilia."When there's big tournaments, I look at the schedule and book annual leave right up to the final, in the hope they get there," Ms Bleach said.She said she booked tickets to most matches, including the final of the 2023 World Cup in Sydney, which England finished as runners-up.England face Sweden in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro at 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC1.
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