Palmer given hero's reception on St Kitts visit
Palmer said: "Landing in St Kitts off the back of winning the Club World Cup felt really special. It's where my grandad's love for football started. The island is beautiful and really chilled. I can't wait to explore the mountains, rainforest and sea - and to try out the food."Terrance Drew, St Kitts' prime minister, added: "Cole Palmer's visit to St Kitts and Nevis is a powerful reminder of the strength and pride of our diaspora."His presence and mentorship will inspire the next generation to believe that global success is possible, no matter where you come from. We are proud to welcome him home and deeply grateful for his commitment to our young people and to the development of sports in our federation."
Henderson said: "The Palmers already have a special connection to the island and that will only grow as they spend time exploring our lush rainforests, picturesque mountains and stunning waters, and savouring our rich culture and cuisine."
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Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why Lionesses' Euro's victory will help end England men's trophy quest: Gareth Southgate's sports psychologist reveals key to women's success - and has a brutal message for their critics
England's men's football team could learn lessons from the Lionesses if they are to win their first major trophy since 1966 next year, Sir Gareth Southgate 's favourite sports psychologist told MailOnline today. Michael Caulfield, a long-time friend and confidante of the former England manager, believes the women's triumph could be a 'turning point' for Thomas Tuchel 's men. He also believes that the Three Lions' German manager and the FA should also take note of the Lionesses' 'joy' at representing their country. 'If the men's team triumph [next summer], I genuinely believe the Lionesses dramatic win in Basel will prove to be a huge turning point, as they have a won a tournament away from home, and everyone in the men's set up will subconsciously note that too. This win was so important for both teams', Mr Caulfield told MailOnline. He added: 'I hope everyone at the FA realises that the more you allow people to be themselves, be likeable, be proud of who you are and what you stand for, then people come with you'. Mr Caulfield also has a strong message for 'cynical' critics of the victorious women. 'We should simply be saying 'thank you' and joining in the celebrations. If you don't like women's football, or seeing women triumph, inspiring countless young girls to take up football... then don't watch it, or comment on it, you won't be missed, but you might be missing out', he said. The Prime Minister's official spokesman has said this afternoon that the men's football team 'should absolutely take a lesson' from the Lionesses on how to win tournaments. He added: 'Yes, it can't be as fast and as furious as the men's game, in the same way that the Kenyan female athlete, Faith Kipyegon, couldn't break the four minute mile recently, but that does not stop last night's triumph from being joyous'. It came as Beth Mead's father Richard had a message for critics, tweeting today: 'To all the snipers out there criticising women's football, guess what my daughter is a double European champion, how many people can say that, well done lionesses'. Mr Caulfield, who works for Brentford in the Premier League, is one of the country's top sports psychologists with over 30 years experience. He was first employed by Southgate when he was manager at Middlesbrough in 2006 and they have remained close. Millions celebrated as the Lionesses won back-to-back European Championships, with a women's World Cup final in between. The men have gone close to winning both those titles in recent years but never made the final step. Mr Caulfield said: 'What can the Three Lions learn from The Lionesses? Well, Sir Gareth Southgate started it, I hope everyone at the FA realises, that the more you allow people to be themselves, be likeable, be proud of who you are and what you stand for, then people come with you, and for those who simply want to moan, well, you can never win an argument with a cynic, so don't try'. The team are flying into Britain this afternoon ahead of a reception at Downing Street hosted by Angela Rayner with PM Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland meeting Donald Trump. Despite the success of the Lionesses, some continue to compare the men's and women's games unfavourably. Mr Caulfield says he 'cannot understand' it. 'Comparison is the thief of all joy and never has that lovely old phrase been more apt following the joyous and determined triumph by the most admirable and likeable of teams, The Lionesses. 'The whole evening and tournament were joyous, the drama was joyous, Chloe Kelly was joyous, the backstories are joyous, the never say die attitude was joyous, the commentaries were joyous, the reaction is joyous, and they haven't even made it to Buckingham Palace yet. 'For the life of me, I cannot understand the need or point of comparing the Lionesses to The Three Lions, and if you don't like women's football, or seeing women triumph, inspiring countless young girls to take up football, therefore taking exercise, getting off their phones, being part of a club, team, community and improving every aspect of their life, then don't watch it, or comment on it, you won't be missed, but you might be missing out'. He added that the Lionesses are 'uniting people from all walks of life in the process, and giving us all a break for the daily worries we all face in our own lives. We should simply be saying 'thank you' and joining in the celebrations'.
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
England men's team should ‘take a lesson' from the Lionesses, says Starmer
The England men's football team should 'take a lesson' from the Lionesses, Sir Keir Starmer has said, following their dramatic Euro 2025 victory. England became European champions again on Sunday evening after defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout in Basel. The prime minister – who is a football fan himself – said the Lionesses have 'captured the hearts of the nation', adding the team are an inspiration for young people across the country. 'We look forward to hosting them at Downing Street later and celebrating at the parade', his spokesperson added. But despite Sir Keir previously backing calls for a 'proper day of celebration' when England reached the Euro 2022 final, Downing Street has since rejected the idea of an extra bank holiday, saying: 'If we had a bank holiday every time the lionesses win, we'd never go to work". Asked if the men's team should be learning from the Lionesses, Sir Keir's spokesperson said: "Yes, they should absolutely take a lesson. 'The bottle the women's team showed over the last few games is completely remarkable. I saw a stat that said they only spent one minute at knockout stages ahead, but still managed to come back in every game and get through and obviously win penalty shootouts. 'And I'm sure the men's team will be watching on and taking notes as to how they follow their efforts." On Monday, the team are expected to land back in the UK before heading to a reception at Downing Street hosted by deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The Lionesses are then set for a homecoming open-top bus parade celebration in central London on Tuesday, followed by a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. Confirming the Downing Street reception, Sir Keir said: 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country. 'It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team. 'I'm delighted that the squad will be welcomed into Downing Street as the whole country marks this historic win and the lasting impact they are creating for the future of the game.' Ms Rayner said it will be 'a privilege to celebrate' with the team, with Ms Peacock adding that the government is 'committed to playing our part to ensure this success translates into lasting change.'
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Kelly is more than the next Beckham' - the Lioness shifting the culture
With a hop, skip and a thwack, Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty in the Euro 2025 final - and shifted the culture of English that this is anything new for Kelly, who over the past three years has been at the centre of the Lionesses' explosion into the public the Euro 2022 final, she scored the winning goal before celebrating by twirling her shirt aloft with sports bra on display. Kelly was praised for empowering women, and embodying how the Lionesses are inspirations for current and future generations of 2025 final was different. While Kelly was praised for spending time with the mascot at the medal ceremony, chatting with and hugging the young girl, she then turned to the camera after getting her award and mouthed a sweary media outlet AS meanwhile was annoyed with Kelly for supposedly mocking keeper Cata Coll after scoring the winning spot-kick. "This is unnecessary, my friend," ran the headline., externalThat is the Lionesses of 2025, spearheaded by Kelly - inspirational yes, but also arrogant in the way of all champions, icons not only for their gender, but also for their immense sporting is well-known among team-mates for being the personification of the modern Lionesses."She seems to thrive on those moments when the team needs her to pull a performance out of the bag," said England defender Esme that could mark a tonal shift in how the Lionesses are perceived culturally, according Nicola Kemp, editorial director of marketing company Creativebrief."This is a real watershed moment for football marketing," Kemp told BBC Sport. "Kelly has passion and audacity on the pitch, that can be matched with commercial cut through - I expect more investment."Brands want to play in culture, and Kelly is at the centre of this incredible cultural shift in women's football." Shinpads and power penalties: Kelly is a branding dream Kelly is a marketer's dream in so many ways. On the pitch, she provided game deciding contributions in all of England's Euro 2025 knock-out matches - her crosses led to both goals against Sweden, she bagged the winner versus Italy, and she assisted Russo's equaliser in the final. And that's before you get to the winning the pitch, she is popular with fans - topping the BBC Sport audience ratings against Sweden and Spain - while she went viral during the quarter-final after TV cameras showed her taping up her featured her kissing her husband Scott Moore on their wedding day. The other had an image of their pet dogs."Otis and Rolo at the wedding in their little tuxes are on one shinpad and me and Scotty at the wedding are on the other which is really nice - bringing my life off the pitch with me on the pitch," Kelly said before the final."They are my dogs but they are people to me, they are my little boys with me along the journey, and of course Scott who is with me in the ups and downs."It was their wedding anniversary during the Euros. She said roses were provided in her room at the England camp, while they were able to spend a few hours by the Swiss lakes according to Kemp, is just as important to brands as the penalty Kelly smashed home at 68mph in Basel."It is wonderful to see her on the front of every newspaper, but it is almost bigger than that," she said."It is tempting to say Chloe Kelly is the next David Beckham, but this is more than that - this is an entire new playbook, a new movement." 'We create an impossible stereotype for female footballers' Kelly is a proud, cocky footballer unafraid to celebrate her tournament-winning penalty with a self-assured shrug to the fans."She has been doing it week in, week out and she's just got this attitude and this confidence that I don't think you can buy," England team mate Lucy Bronze said before the celebrates her London roots, her close family in which she is the youngest of seven siblings, and her love of to Romesh Ranganathan on Radio 2,, external Kelly said: "I just love listening to music. My mum always had the radio on, then being from west London, I support people from my area like AJ Tracey, I enjoy listening to his music. He's a friend of mine. It's really nice to see west London doing great in the music industry now."Kelly is also unafraid to speak her mind. In February, Sarina Wiegman left Kelly out of her squad for Nations League games against Portugal and Spain. At the time, she had not played any football since mid-December, having fallen out of favour at former club Manchester secured a loan to childhood team Arsenal, having posted emotional messages to social media saying she "wanted to be happy again" while accusing City of planting negative stories about her in the media. The club never commented publicly about Kelly's has not been shy about revealing she nearly quit football altogether."I'm really proud looking back on the journey," she said. "It was a tough one to start with. Thinking about giving up the game that we all love is really difficult but sometimes you need to look after your mental health and that was really important to me."After Euro 2022, the Lionesses were held up as the perfect ideal of female sporting achievement. Kemp says the next step, led by Kelly, will be allowing our women's football icons to be imperfect."We create a stereotype that is impossible for women footballers to live up to, that can be quite oppressive from a marketing perspective," she said."They can be both things, be an incredible athlete and incredible personality. Kelly is full of flair, you would not want her in just one area."With a hop, skip and a thwack, the age of the Chloe Kelly is upon us.
