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Captain Graham out for three months but will still 'drive players on'

Captain Graham out for three months but will still 'drive players on'

BBC News4 days ago
Newly-appointed captain Ross Graham is a "big loss" to Dundee United after being ruled out for three months following hamstring surgery, says manager Jim Goodwin.Academy graduate Graham, 24, was appointed skipper of his boyhood club this week, but will be sidelined until late October.Goodwin admitted the defender has had a recurring injury over the past 10 months and it "affected him greatly" in the second half of last season.The latest setback came in the friendly with Oldham Athletic on Sunday.Goodwin, speaking before Thursday's Conference League qualifier first leg against UNA Strassen in Luxembourg, said: "He's seen some specialists and had surgery to the hamstring."Hopefully, over the next two to three months, he will make a complete recovery. He will be back and available to play for us somewhere around the end of October."It's a big loss for us as a group. Particularly for myself having made him club captain."Graham is the first homegrown captain of the club this century and although he won't be on the pitch, Goodwin is adamant he'll still have an impact on the squad."He's a local lad," he added. "He knows what the club means to the supporters and he's able to relay that message to all of the players. "As much as he's not going to be out there with us on the pitch for a considerable period of time, his presence will still be felt within the dressing room."He'll continue to encourage the players and drive them on to success."
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Moment Princess Charlotte's joy spoke for the nation: Now England's Lionesses look forward to London open bus top parade - and are set for Royal Reception with Prince and King
Moment Princess Charlotte's joy spoke for the nation: Now England's Lionesses look forward to London open bus top parade - and are set for Royal Reception with Prince and King

Daily Mail​

timea minute ago

  • Daily Mail​

Moment Princess Charlotte's joy spoke for the nation: Now England's Lionesses look forward to London open bus top parade - and are set for Royal Reception with Prince and King

Princess Charlotte 's beaming smile and jubilant celebrations perfectly captured the nation's mood last night as England's Lionesses sealed a dramatic victory over Spain to win back-to-back European titles. Now the champions are set to be honoured with a royal reception and a victory parade through London. After 120 tense minutes against reigning World Cup holders Spain, and a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, Sarina Wiegman 's side emerged victorious once again - cementing their place in footballing history and sparking jubilant scenes across the country. Earlier in the evening, fans draped in St George's flags watched with bated breath alongside the Prince of Wales and Princess Charlotte in Basel, Switzerland — all seen holding their heads in their hands as Spain took the lead just before half-time. But the Lionesses roared back in the second half, with Arsenal striker Alessia Russo heading home a brilliant equaliser in the 57th minute, sending millions back home into raptures. With the score still tied after extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout — where goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two huge saves before Chloe Kelly, once again, became the hero of the hour, calmly dispatching the decisive spot-kick to seal a 3-1 shootout win. Now, the Football Association has confirmed the victorious squad will celebrate in style with a victory parade on an open-top bus through central London on July 29, culminating at The Mall. It is understood a royal reception with Prince William and King Charles is also being planned to honour the team's incredible achievement. The Lionesses have roared to victory in a nailbiting penalty shootout that saw them triumph over Spain Fans can attend for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. Sadly, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph. After the match Prince William and Charlotte penned a personal note to the team, marking the first time the Princess has ever signed off an official message. It said: 'What a game! @lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment @England. W & Charlotte.' Fans across the country were pictured standing on tables, waving flags, throwing drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer watched on from the stands in Basel, Switzerland. Speaking after the match Chloe Kelly gushed that she was 'so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge' and 'so proud to be English'. William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him - including his daughter Princess Charlotte. As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament. William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Sir Keir was the first to congratulate England on their win - posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses - what a team. What a game. What drama. 'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.' Followed quickly by a message from King Charles to offer the team with his most 'heartfelt congratulations'. It read: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the EUROS 2025. 'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. 'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!' William and Charlotte were pictured in Switzerland as the royal family led the nation in wishing good luck to England's Lionesses. Shortly before kick-off, an image of the pair was posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales 's X account with the caption 'let's go, Lionesses'. The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium. He was also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria. In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt, while the royal family's official X account posted: 'Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' It comes as the boyfriend of England star Ella Toone backed the Lionesses today ahead of their big game tonight where the squad will seek 'redemption' in the Women's Euro Final. Joe Bunney uploaded a post to social media today which he captioned 'Big day ahead. Redemption time. Come on girls' in reference to the team's nailbiting loss to Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final. Champions! Congratulations @Lionesses — what a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 27, 2025 England fans react as they watch a live broadcast of the Women's Euro final In a post uploaded to X this morning the Royal Family shared a clip of guardsmen performing the iconic England anthem 'It's coming home' outside Buckingham Palace. The accompanying caption read: 'Let's go girls!! Wishing the very best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.' Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows. Number 10 said: 'Good luck today, Lionesses. Let's bring it home.'

Pizzas on the pitch, Chelsea star Reece James celebrating with sister Lauren, singing in the tunnel and Ella Toone's tribute to her late dad: Inside Lionesses' party after Women's Euros
Pizzas on the pitch, Chelsea star Reece James celebrating with sister Lauren, singing in the tunnel and Ella Toone's tribute to her late dad: Inside Lionesses' party after Women's Euros

Daily Mail​

time3 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Pizzas on the pitch, Chelsea star Reece James celebrating with sister Lauren, singing in the tunnel and Ella Toone's tribute to her late dad: Inside Lionesses' party after Women's Euros

It was party time for the Lionesses on Sunday night after Sarina Wiegman 's side beat world champions Spain in a penalty shootout to retain their Women's Euros title. England fell behind for the third knockout game in a row but Alessia Russo equalised to cancel out Mariona Caldentey's opener and force extra time. Lucy Bronze limped off at half-time in extra time after picking up a knee injury to go with the fractured tibia she had been secretly nursing all summer. But England still prevailed 3-1 on spot-kicks, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who saved two penalties, just as she had in the quarter-final victory over Sweden. There were scenes of wild joy as England lifted the trophy they had first won on home soil back in 2022. Chloe Kelly, scorer of the decisive penalty and also the match-winner back in the 2022 final, delivered a quick rhyme to mark the occasion. Shouting excitedly into a camera during a lap of honour, she declared: 'The first time was so nice we had to do it twice!' But the celebrations did not stop there. With medals hanging proudly from their necks, the Lionesses performed a musical number as they left the field. Led by captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, England's players belted out 2010 hit Dancing On My Own by Robyn as they exited down the tunnel. The team would later return to the field armed with boxfuls of pizza and cans of beer. Friends and family also joined in the celebrations. Lauren James was seen posing for a group selfie with a large squad of loved-ones, including Chelsea men's captain Reece James. Lauren Hemp celebrated her second European Championship crown by wrapping her arms around girlfriend and former footballer Ashley Hodson. But for some players, not all of their loved ones were able to be present. Ella Toone posted of photo of herself holding team-mate Mead, who lost her mum in 2023. Toone, whose dad died in September last year, captioned the image: 'We did it for our angels in the sky. Forever with us & forever proud'. Toone then shared an image from where her family had been sat at St. Jakob-Park. Despite the game being sold out, seat 430 appeared to be unoccupied. Toone wrote: 'Spare seat next to my mum tonight. If that's not a sign I don't know what is. I know you were there Dad. Love you cock'. 🎶 I KEEP DANCING ON MY OWN! 🎶 ICONIC. — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025 Beth Mead (left) and Ella Toone both lost parents in recent years. But Toone was adamant that her late father was there watching her - after spotting an empty seat next to her mum Inside the England dressing room, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Jess Park shared a selfie with their medals. Beever-Jones had an extra reason to celebrate as Sunday was her 22nd birthday. The Chelsea star captioned an Instagram post: 'BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.' Maya Le Tissier later uploaded a selfie of herself and Beever-Jones flaunting their medals while on the team bus. It was not only the players in the party mood. Indeed, manager Wiegman discussed her plans for the rest of the evening during a post-match interview.

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