The teachers who inspired the Greater Manchester Lionesses to World Cup glory
19.08.2023 - 05:17
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
They are the nation's heroes, on the cusp of World Cup glory.
And now the proud teachers of the Lionesses, who nurtured their talent from the beginning, have opened up on how it feels to see their former pupils make history. England take on Spain in the showpiece in final in Sydney, Australia on Sunday morning. Three of the squad – Keira Walsh, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem - were born and raised in the region whilst Georgia Stanway, from Cumbria, and Ellie Roebuck, from Sheffield, moved here as teenagers and went to college here.
Barcelona midfielder Keira was born in Syke, Rochdale where she lived with parents Peter and Tracy. She attended Haslingden High School and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Sixth Form, both in Rossendale.
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She was then enrolled at St Bede's College in Whalley Range when she joined her beloved City in 2014 aged 17. City have a relationship with the school and send many of their academy players there.
Liam Mitchell, who taught Keira at the school said: “Keira was a great girl. She was really hardworking and bright. She managed her football and academic commitments incredibly well. She was often away on international duty and always came back having completed all the work set.
"Keira settled into the school community really well, she was always polite and respectful and you could tell she was going to go on to be a top class professional." Keira was at the school with City teammate Georgia Stanway, who became a close friend. Attacking midfielder Georgia, who now plays for Bayern Munich, was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria before leaving for Manchester aged 16. Mrs Nora Lavorini ,who taught Georgia, said: