Newport Pagnell celebrates Lioness Leah Williamson's Euro success
"I thought the first time would be the best time of my life - seeing her win again is the best thing in the world."
England became the first nation to retain the women's Euros since Germany won six in a row from 1995 to 2013.They were captained by Williamson both times.In 2023 she opened a pitch in her honour at Newport Pagnell Town FC, where her career began. "The support she gets in Newport is mental, genuinely mental - the best thing is she's from Newport, the worst thing is she missed the penalty, but we'll let her off, we'll let her off," Mr Williamson joked. "What she's done for women's football is incredible - and I've never seen so many people celebrate before in my life."
Paul Day, the town's mayor, was among the fans who screamed themselves hoarse with joy over the win, while watching it on a big screen set up in the town. "She is an inspirational leader and this town loves football, loves Leah Williamson and loves England because we are the European champions again," he said."We've got knocking on 1,000 people here, people came down and I know all across the town in all the pubs and the clubs, people will also be going crazy for England and Leah Williamson."
England will have a homecoming celebration for their historic triumph with fans at an event in central London on Tuesday.There will be an open-top bus procession along The Mall, which will start at 12:10 BST, ending with a staged ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace starting at around 12:30.
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