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New Statesman
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
The Lionesses have slain an old England
Photo by Adam Davy/Alamy On an overcast Tuesday afternoon (July 29), as 65,000 people lined the Mall to Buckingham Palace in celebration of the Lionesses Euro triumph, one thing became clear: this was not like the football gatherings of old. Gone were the crushed beer cans, roadside urination and coked-up Charlies; instead there were prams, cowgirl hats decorated with the St George's Cross, and women of all ages. There were plenty of boys and men, too: the elders who had learned to appreciate the women's game, and the young'uns native to its joys. It is a different type of game. But the joyless, systemic reasons as to why the professional women's game isn't as advanced as the men's did not bother anyone on the Mall. If there is one uncontestable truth about football, it is that there is no uniform way of experiencing, playing or enjoying it. The beautiful game would not be so beautiful if everything was the same. It survives by flexing with different contexts and audiences, grounded by the game's fundamentals. It thrives on difference – as the tempo of the Premier League differs from the National League; so does the European version of the game from the South American; as there is a complete 180-degree vibe shift between something like the Euros, compared to the Africa Cup of Nations. The women's game is just another variation. The modern personality of the women's game (which only became fully professionalised in 2018) can be seen off the field, too. Unsurprisingly, a game led by a group of people who were officially excluded from playing football for 50 years (by the FA), has a keen interest in inclusivity. That includes a wide embrace of queerness, race and culture. This was exemplified on the Mall by the appearance of the Nigerian afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, who performed alongside his die-hard fan, the England head coach Sarina Wiegman. And though this is a cleaner, family-friendly packaging of the game, there is still some bite. The exuberant Arsenal winger, Chloe Kelly, is that personified: still riding high after scoring the winning penalty for England (with a kick of the ball that clocked in at a thunderous 110 km/h), she told those gathered on the streets how 'so f*cking special' the Euros triumph is. The Mall was chosen as a royal setting for the queens of European football, but the vibrant and inclusive Englishness that the women's national team represents contrasted oddly with the palace that loomed over them – a greying, absent relic, more an uninvited uncle than a generous host. The patriotism represented by Buckingham Palace now looks dated against the national pride envisioned by Gareth Southgate and displayed by both the women's and men's national teams. Through it, in a footballing context at least, a malleable and de-toxified Englishness – one sensitivity attuned to race, class and cultural struggles – has emerged. After her winning penalty in the final, Kelly declared: 'I'm so proud to be English', and this was uncontroversial. Had she been a male player during our national team's dark period in the 1970s and 1980s, when hooliganism and racism was rife, these words would have had very different connotations. This new, more malleable form of Englishness is not the 'Cool Britannia' of the Euro '96 tournament, a cultural celebration which was co-opted by politicians, most notably Tony Blair. The power and pervasiveness of sport to connect otherwise disparate groups of people hasn't waned, but there is less room in this movement for Royals in hospitality boxes and celebratory Downing Street visits. Keir Starmer would have been an awkward host for the Lionesses' reception at No 10 on Monday (July 28), despite being a football fan (he was in Scotland meeting Donald Trump). Angela Rayner – who, like many of the women's team, wears her working-class roots proudly – was clearly a more natural fit. On the Mall, there was no escaping this new and different patriotism. The Lionesses have taken the tactical foundations of Southgateism and aligned it with their own, proud, goals. The cameras focused on the celebrating team and their fans, cropping out the old symbols of national identity in the background. The road to Buckingham Palace served a practical purpose, in that no other street could accommodate 65,000 people. And yet it felt as if this crowd could have congregated somewhere else – a park, a festival, somewhere with less historical baggage – and that this might have been more appropriate to the England they chose to celebrate. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Spectator
21 hours ago
- Spectator
What it means to be English
How can you ever put your finger on the comfort, the joy, the absurdity, of being English? Not, perhaps, through some attempt at definition: but in a hundred moments linked by that invisible thread, Englishness. Such a moment occurred for me last Friday. The place was Kidderminster in Worcestershire, the occasion the re-opening of the heritage Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth in Shropshire, at the lovely station from which the line, formerly Great Western Railway (GWR) and closed by British Rail in the 1960s, runs. Let's not be sentimental about Kidderminster. Described by Pevsner as 'uncommonly devoid of visual pleasure and architectural interest', the town has been smashed up by philistine planners. What was intended to be a complete ring road (but never completed) severs the fine St Mary's church from Church Street, at whose head the church was supposed to preside. Having wrecked the symmetry, the council, with unconscious irony, then named the ringway after the church. But Kidderminster Town station is a jewel. The Severn Valley Railway (SVR), which has taken it over, named it that to distinguish it from Kidderminster's mainline station. A perfect reminder of a GWR station, with its period waiting room part of the King and Castle pub, was where we gathered for the reopening of the line. Let me explain. There was once a branch line from Kidderminster all the way to Shrewsbury. Though it did serve passengers, the economics depended on freight from the coal mines along the route. Once these were defunct, British Railways planned closure. A group of railway enthusiasts raised the funds to buy the single-track line and its 'halts' (sweet little stations) as far as Bridgnorth, in stages, so the track was never ripped up. But the line had deteriorated badly, and the SVR (as the enthusiasts named their great project) laboured mightily to restore and maintain track, bridges, tunnel, signalling and stations, to build a magnificent engine house, to restore museum-piece carriages (first, second and third) and to run steam and diesel excursions. For the past 40 years they've run these along the 16 scenic miles of track from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. After lockdown they recommenced operations, but were struggling to get back the pre-lockdown crowds – and then, in January, disaster! After rain, a huge section of high embankment collapsed, leaving rails hanging in the air. To hand over the repair to contractors would have spelt financial ruin. In a Dunkirk-style operation, volunteers were mustered, people with civil engineering experience and retired rail employees. Britain's railway companies helped and some half a million pounds had to be raised… but within seven weeks, well ahead of schedule, the job was done. And the world's most famous steam engine, the Flying Scotsman, was hired to showcase the reopening and haul a series of excursions for three days. Tickets sold out in three minutes. My partner, a trustee of the National Lottery Heritage Fund which has helped support the SVR, was invited, and I was with him. We joined an expectant crowd at Kidderminster Town, waiting to board. Such an English scene! The scarlet-clad Kidderminster male choir were singing songs from the shows. Dreadful instant coffee flowed. The concourse was packed with a crazy mix of boy trainspotters, middle-aged train buffs, mums, grandmas and families on a day out, excited children. Locomotives whistled, the choir sang, there was an inaudible announcement on the loudspeakers, a barrier opened, and we surged towards the polished chestnut carriages, at their head the gigantic, glorious, shiny green Flying Scotsman hissing and steaming like some kind of friendly steel monster, impatient for action. In the observation car we munched Danish pastries, custard tarts and savoury flans. The townspeople waving behind fences as we chuffed out of Kidderminster were no surprise, but I had hardly expected this to continue in open countryside. Yet all along the hillsides and meadows and woods as we whistled along the beautiful Severn Valley, there were spectators, picnickers, photographers, waiting for the Flying Scotsman to pass. As the loco belched, old-fashioned signals clunked down, and children squealed and waved, while at the halts uniformed Fat Controllers dutifully acknowledged our passage… until, with a deafening hiss of released steam, we pulled into Bridgnorth station. Crowds awaited us. Crowds descended from the carriages. Crowds gawped from the bridge. Crowds held smartphones aloft to photograph the scene. Then came the speeches. A welcome from the Mayor of Bridgnorth, 'a few words' from SVR organisers, some thoughtful reflections from a veteran volunteer. And finally – why not? – a Church of England vicar who, audible between hisses from the engine, spoke rather well, read a poem about concrete and steel, made a faintly disrespectful remark about politicians, then blessed the engine, carriages, passengers and volunteers. No true Englishman sees any theological reason why a vicar should not bless a signal box; and if scripture doesn't specifically mention steam engines, they are undoubtedly implicit in the psalmist's rapture. What is religion for if not to exalt heritage? What could be a more luminous exemplar of faith than the SVR's willing shovels at that collapsed embankment? What can better surpass incense than the perfume of coal smoke and hot vapour with a little smut in the breeze? To see the celestial in spadework is divine and, as George Herbert did not quite write: A man that looks on steam/ On it may stay his eye/ Or if he pleaseth through it pass/ And there the Heaven espy. That is what they meant, all those picknickers waiting to glimpse the Flying Scotsman. It is not English to say this, but it is the very essence of Englishness to know it.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
England deliver for Sarina Wiegman in iconic moment at Lionesses Euro 2025 victory parade
A month of last-minute equalisers, penalty shootout victories and a third consecutive European Championship title has given Sarina Wiegman plenty to celebrate, but through it all she has never looked so happy as when Burna Boy was revealed at the trophy parade. Having revealed the singer-songwriter was her favourite artist in a press conference, England delivered for Wiegman just as she had done for them out in Switzerland. The singing and dancing version of the Dutch manager proved unrecognisable from the cooler exterior of past tournaments, but then in her renewed outlook she had plenty to enjoy. 'What I really wanted to do over all these years is try to enjoy it a little bit more,' she had said. 'Trying to enjoy things a little bit more instead of always being so… you have to be focused in this job but you need to celebrate the moments that are good, it's really nice.' As the Lionesses open-top bus paraded down the mall to the cheers of 65,000 fans, this was certainly one of those moments. Just three years ago, when women's football seemed to have captivated the whole nation, there were 7,000 fans who turned up to celebrate their inaugural major trophy at Trafalgar Square. That number has increased nearly tenfold in the intervening years, though it should be noted there was a cap on capacity in 2022. It is testament to the impact that the Lionesses had in continuing to inspire a nation that they could fill nearly three-quarters of Wembley Stadium with fans who took time away from work to celebrate their achievements. And there could not have been a more fitting location. The finish of the London Marathon has been the end of a mammoth journey for millions, and in a similar fashion - beleaguered from their efforts and ready for a well-earned rest - the Lionesses travelled towards the Palace. While their heads might not be embossed on coins yet, over the past month they have become Queens of the nation for their embodiment of the most palatable interpretation of Englishness yet. An unerring resilience and grit had got them to the final in Basel, and as they travelled up to the Victoria Memorial to the cheers of thousands they could finally stop and enjoy the moment. Fittingly serenaded by a performance of 'Proud' by Heather Small, a teary-eyed Leah Williamson issued a rallying cry to those before her. '2022 was a fairytale but this felt very hard earned and we're very proud of ourselves. This story is not done yet,' she uttered to further cheers. While it is another chapter complete, Williamson's statement will act as further warning to any future opponent if they had not already learned that the Lionesses are never done. But off the pitch, too, the ramifications of her declaration extend much further. Having called for equal access to football in PE for girls after the Euro 2022 triumph, the Lionesses have proven their actions are never just restricted to personal success. For the women who enjoyed their moment in the spotlight on Tuesday, their moments on the pitch will always mean so much more than just another trophy. This summer they have once again shown just what is possible for young girls aspiring to reach their levels. As Williamson referenced the fact the trophy they raised in front of the 65,000 at Buckingham Palace did not even exist just over 40 years ago, it is abundantly clear that these role models are all too conscious of that fact. But as they danced onstage to the anthems of their tournament, they could be afforded the peace to just indulge in what has been a remarkable summer of football and another historic achievement. As Wiegman and Burna Boy said arm-in-arm: 'It's been a hell of a ride.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Why Lionesses saying they're ‘proud to be English' could get them arrested in Keir Starmer's woke police state
IN the afterglow of shooting the Lionesses to Euros victory, striker Chloe Kelly told the watching world: 'I'm so proud to be English!' For a player from Scotland, 6 Hopefully Keir Starmer's new social media policing will not trouble our new net queen, hero goalie Hannah Hampton, who evoked her Englishness in a post-match interview Credit: Getty 6 In the afterglow of shooting the Lionesses to Euros victory, striker Chloe Kelly told the watching world: 'I'm so proud to be English!' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 As Chloe and Hanna showed rare public pride in England — it was a striking moment in today's cautious national climate Credit: Getty Here in England it sparked a social media frenzy. Some half-jokingly wondered whether such publicly avowed patriotism would elicit a knock on the door from cops. One X user posted a picture of officers on a door camera with the caption: 'Hi Posters were referencing the new elite police squad set up by the Home Office to summer of riots. As we see time and time again, expressing a love for England and displaying a So we shall watch and wait to see who gets caught up in this new net. Hopefully it wil not trouble our new net queen, hero goalie 'We've shown during this tournament that we can come back when we go a goal down, we have that grit, we've got English blood in us,' she told TV viewers. Most read in Football That two young women — part of a diverse team that reflects modern England — were happy to express pride in their homeland should be a wake-up call to our nation's elite, falling over themselves to praise This new flowering of Englishness comes in an era where it's become fashionable to talk the country down and smother it with colonial guilt. Chloe Kelly completes Lionesses' greatest comeback yet to retain Euros title Many on the metropolitan left in Britain have long had a sneering disdain for the emblems of the nation. In 2014, Dame Emily Thornberry's snobby tweet of a Medway home with England flags flying and a white van in the drive saw her resign from the then Labour Shadow Cabinet. The following year fellow Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn, who was then Labour's leader, failed to sing the National Anthem at a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Not only did it appear an affront to the memory of 'The Few' — those who had lost their lives in the history-defining conflict — it was also bad politics. This new flowering of Englishness comes in an era where it's become fashionable to talk the country down and smother it with colonial guilt Labour signalled that it was drifting away from its traditional, patriotic working-class base who loved their country, their flag, their monarchy and their football team. Sir Keir Starmer recognised Labour's patriotic deficit late in the day, the piping up about his pride in the nation and instigating the singing of the National Anthem at party conference. Later, Corbyn, now in the throes of setting up a new hard left party (don't expect it to have a Union Jack emblem), called singing God Save The King at Labour's annual get-together 'very, very odd'. Such sentiments drove away voters in the so-called 'red wall' constituencies in the north. Little wonder that as the Starmer project flounders, Reform UK — unafraid to fly the flag — have now found fertile ground in once Labour heartlands. English patriotism has long hid its light under a bushel — not helped by the St George Cross being adopted by far-right knuckle draggers like the English Defence League. Compare the comparably muted St George's Day celebrations to the green carnival of St Patrick's Day. In America, with a bloody history to rival Britain's, Old Glory is hung from garden flag poles across the land, whether the owner is Republican or Democrat. Some argue that our patriotic reserve is part of the essence of Englishness. Chloe and Hannah showed the world they were gutsy, skilled, confident, joyous — and proud to be English Yet, It was remarkable for being such a rarity in English public life. Former Government special adviser James Price wrote on X: 'I haven't heard anyone on telly say that about England in so long. 'For all the sneering from some quarters, that's just such a wonderful thing to hear. Much more of this please, in all kinds of arenas.' Much has been made of the British — as well as English — preoccupation with our victorious role in World War Two. Yet, standing alone against Nazi Germany — real fascists not someone misgendering you on social media — was a crowning achievement of the British Empire, with theatres of war in Africa and Asia as well as Europe. Swell with pride The number of red poppies displayed on St George flags is testimony to how important it remains to our national story. After the war — under Clement Attlee's Labour government — a sense of patriotic purpose and unity helped rebuild Britain. A shared togetherness can work wonders for the economy and the national mood. Remember Cool Britannia in the 1990s when the nation revelled in its identity? It was a soft power and financial winner. Everyone has their own sense of Englishness in a land that produced the likes of For some it's rolling moorlands of the Pennines and Cumbria , others might choose dining out on chicken tikka masala or dancing to dub reggae at the Notting Hill Carnival. Many will swell with pride re-watching the Queen . Read more on the Irish Sun Now the Lionesses have roared and added their story to our national identity. Chloe and Hannah showed the world they were gutsy, skilled, confident, joyous — and proud to be English. 6 Keir's Labour signalled that it was drifting away from its traditional, patriotic working-class base who loved their country, their flag, their monarchy and their football team Credit: AFP 6 Remember Cool Britannia in the 1990s when the nation revelled in its identity? It was a soft power and financial winner Credit: EPA 6 Englishness means different things to different people — from rolling moors to chicken tikka masala and the vibrant beats of Notting Hill Carnival Credit: Shutterstock
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Why Lionesses saying they're ‘proud to be English' could get them arrested in Keir Starmer's woke police state
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IN the afterglow of shooting the Lionesses to Euros victory, striker Chloe Kelly told the watching world: 'I'm so proud to be English!' For a player from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France or the US, a simple exclamation of national pride in their homeland nation would go unremarked. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Hopefully Keir Starmer's new social media policing will not trouble our new net queen, hero goalie Hannah Hampton, who evoked her Englishness in a post-match interview Credit: Getty 6 In the afterglow of shooting the Lionesses to Euros victory, striker Chloe Kelly told the watching world: 'I'm so proud to be English!' Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 As Chloe and Hanna showed rare public pride in England — it was a striking moment in today's cautious national climate Credit: Getty Here in England it sparked a social media frenzy. Some half-jokingly wondered whether such publicly avowed patriotism would elicit a knock on the door from cops. One X user posted a picture of officers on a door camera with the caption: 'Hi Chloe Kelly, police here, we just need to speak to you about your nationalistic outburst.' Posters were referencing the new elite police squad set up by the Home Office to monitor anti-immigrant sentiment online, aimed to prevent a summer of riots. As we see time and time again, expressing a love for England and displaying a St George Cross flag can erroneously be interpreted by those who wish to divide us as Far Right rabble-rousing. So we shall watch and wait to see who gets caught up in this new net. Hopefully it wil not trouble our new net queen, hero goalie Hannah Hampton who also evoked her Englishness in a post-match interview. 'We've shown during this tournament that we can come back when we go a goal down, we have that grit, we've got English blood in us,' she told TV viewers. That two young women — part of a diverse team that reflects modern England — were happy to express pride in their homeland should be a wake-up call to our nation's elite, falling over themselves to praise Sarina Wiegman's aces since Sunday night's stunning win. This new flowering of Englishness comes in an era where it's become fashionable to talk the country down and smother it with colonial guilt. Chloe Kelly completes Lionesses' greatest comeback yet to retain Euros title Many on the metropolitan left in Britain have long had a sneering disdain for the emblems of the nation. In 2014, Dame Emily Thornberry's snobby tweet of a Medway home with England flags flying and a white van in the drive saw her resign from the then Labour Shadow Cabinet. The following year fellow Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn, who was then Labour's leader, failed to sing the National Anthem at a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Not only did it appear an affront to the memory of 'The Few' — those who had lost their lives in the history-defining conflict — it was also bad politics. This new flowering of Englishness comes in an era where it's become fashionable to talk the country down and smother it with colonial guilt Labour signalled that it was drifting away from its traditional, patriotic working-class base who loved their country, their flag, their monarchy and their football team. Sir Keir Starmer recognised Labour's patriotic deficit late in the day, the piping up about his pride in the nation and instigating the singing of the National Anthem at party conference. Later, Corbyn, now in the throes of setting up a new hard left party (don't expect it to have a Union Jack emblem), called singing God Save The King at Labour's annual get-together 'very, very odd'. Such sentiments drove away voters in the so-called 'red wall' constituencies in the north. Little wonder that as the Starmer project flounders, Reform UK — unafraid to fly the flag — have now found fertile ground in once Labour heartlands. English patriotism has long hid its light under a bushel — not helped by the St George Cross being adopted by far-right knuckle draggers like the English Defence League. Compare the comparably muted St George's Day celebrations to the green carnival of St Patrick's Day. In America, with a bloody history to rival Britain's, Old Glory is hung from garden flag poles across the land, whether the owner is Republican or Democrat. Some argue that our patriotic reserve is part of the essence of Englishness. Chloe and Hannah showed the world they were gutsy, skilled, confident, joyous — and proud to be English Yet, Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton wore their national pride on their sleeve. It was remarkable for being such a rarity in English public life. Former Government special adviser James Price wrote on X: 'I haven't heard anyone on telly say that about England in so long. 'For all the sneering from some quarters, that's just such a wonderful thing to hear. Much more of this please, in all kinds of arenas.' Much has been made of the British — as well as English — preoccupation with our victorious role in World War Two. Yet, standing alone against Nazi Germany — real fascists not someone misgendering you on social media — was a crowning achievement of the British Empire, with theatres of war in Africa and Asia as well as Europe. Swell with pride The number of red poppies displayed on St George flags is testimony to how important it remains to our national story. After the war — under Clement Attlee's Labour government — a sense of patriotic purpose and unity helped rebuild Britain. A shared togetherness can work wonders for the economy and the national mood. Remember Cool Britannia in the 1990s when the nation revelled in its identity? It was a soft power and financial winner. Everyone has their own sense of Englishness in a land that produced the likes of William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, Florence Nightingale, John Lennon, Agatha Christie and Sir Isaac Newton, to name but a few. For some it's rolling moorlands of the Pennines and Cumbria, others might choose dining out on chicken tikka masala or dancing to dub reggae at the Notting Hill Carnival. Many will swell with pride re-watching Bobby Moore wiping his muddied hands before accepting the World Cup from the Queen. Now the Lionesses have roared and added their story to our national identity. Chloe and Hannah showed the world they were gutsy, skilled, confident, joyous — and proud to be English. 6 Keir's Labour signalled that it was drifting away from its traditional, patriotic working-class base who loved their country, their flag, their monarchy and their football team Credit: AFP 6 Remember Cool Britannia in the 1990s when the nation revelled in its identity? It was a soft power and financial winner Credit: EPA
