EXCLUSIVE The truth about Tom Brady at Birmingham: The speech he gave to beat Wrexham, a brand new training regime and wedding-day calls
For Birmingham City players, however, sometimes the club official in question is Tom Brady, seven-time winner and one of the most recognisable sports stars on the planet.
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The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
Will there be a Bank Holiday if England win the Women's Euros 2025?
FOOTY fans are dreaming of an extra day off this summer as the Lionesses battle for Euro glory – but will we actually get a bank holiday if England bring it home? With our women's team facing Spain in the tournament, excitement is building across the nation, but don't start planning your long weekend just yet. 2 Downing Street has made it clear there are no plans for a bank holiday if England win the Women's Euro 2025. But with mounting public pressure and the petition gaining traction, things could still change if football really does come home. What Downing Street has said No extra day off is on the cards right now, football fans. Sir Keir Starmer 's spokesperson has confirmed there are "no plans" for an additional bank holiday should England's women triumph in Euro 2025. When pressed about the possibility of giving the nation a day to celebrate if the Lionesses lift the trophy, Downing Street remained firm in their stance. The PM's team didn't completely rule it out, but made it clear it's not currently on the government's agenda. This will come as disappointing news to many hoping to toast a potential victory with a lie-in the next day. Growing calls for a celebration day Despite the government's position, demands for a national day off are ramping up. The Prime Minister is facing mounting pressure to grant the nation a well-deserved bank holiday if our Lionesses bring home the trophy. Women's football news website SheKicks has even launched a petition calling for Monday, July 28th, 2025, to be declared a bank holiday if England emerges victorious. RTE pundit offers optimistic view on growth of women's football amid Euros kick-off The campaign is gaining momentum as more fans back the idea of a proper nationwide celebration. After all, if football's coming home, shouldn't we all be at home to celebrate it? What happened last time? When the Lionesses made history by winning the Women's Euro 2022, the nation erupted in celebration – but we didn't get that coveted day off. Despite the historic victory, the then-government didn't grant a bank holiday, leaving many fans disappointed that they couldn't properly nurse their celebration hangovers. This time around, supporters are hoping for a different outcome, especially with calls getting louder for women's football achievements to be celebrated with the same enthusiasm as the men's game. How bank holidays work Getting an extra bank holiday isn't as simple as the PM waving a magic wand. Bank holidays in the UK are either set by law or declared by royal proclamation, meaning there's a proper process involved before we can all enjoy a day off. For a special one-off event like a sporting triumph, the government would need to make arrangements fairly quickly, which explains why they're not making promises they might not be able to keep. Planning for businesses and public services would be tight, but not impossible, if our Lionesses do make it all the way. 2 What fans can do Want that extra day off? You might need to make your voice heard. The SheKicks petition is gathering signatures from supporters who believe a women's football triumph deserves national celebration. Football fans can also contact their MPs or share their thoughts on social media to add to the growing chorus calling for a proper celebration if England lift the trophy. And if all else fails? It might be worth booking that annual leave now, just in case – you can always cancel it if the bank holiday does materialise or if our Lionesses don't bring it home this time. The final decision will likely come down to the wire, much like the tournament itself. So while you might want to keep that Monday free just in case, don't make any non-refundable plans for a long weekend just yet.
Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Rio Ferdinand fumes over star pundit's absence from BBC's Lionesses coverage for Euros final - despite her having 172 caps for England!
Rio Ferdinand has hit out at the BBC for omitting Fara Williams from their coverage of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final – despite the former England midfielder being the country's most capped player. Williams, who earned 172 caps during a glittering international career, has been a regular and respected voice on the BBC's football output in recent years. But she was nowhere to be seen in the corporation's broadcast team for Sunday's final in Basel, with host Gabby Logan joined instead by Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Nedum Onuoha. Ferdinand, who recently stepped away from his own punditry role at TNT Sports, appeared stunned by the snub. 'How's @fara_williams47 not on the @BBCSport coverage' the ex-England defender tweeted just after 4pm, under an hour before kick-off at St Jakob-Park. Williams, 41, had earlier confirmed a new chapter in her punditry career, revealing on Saturday that she will join the TNT Sports team for the new season. Quoting a video promoting the broadcaster's extensive football rights — including for the Premier League, Champions League and Women's FA Cup — she wrote on X (formerly Twitter): 'This is NOT NORMAL', before adding: 'Can't wait to be part of the @footballontnt team!' It's a high-profile move for the former Lioness, who featured at four major tournaments and scored 40 goals for her country. She retired from playing in 2019 and has since established herself as one of the most insightful and eloquent voices in the game. Ferdinand himself ended his decade-long stint with TNT Sports after May's Champions League final. The Manchester United legend signed off with a warm on-air farewell and said he would now focus on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast and other ventures, including his charitable foundation.
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Prince William takes Princess Charlotte, 10, on sweet father-daughter outing to cheer the Lionesses at the Women's Euro final
Prince William has been pictured taking his daughter Charlotte, 10, on a sweet father-daughter outing to cheer on the Lionesses at the Women's Euro final. The Royal's appearance was widely-anticipated at the stadium in Switzerland tonight with sources confirming he would be there to support the team. In a social media post, he had said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!' Charlotte was snapped this afternoon standing close to her father in a sweet blue polka dot dress. The Royal Family also kicked off well-wishes this morning with a post that read 'Let's go girls!!' as fans all over the nation decked out windows with England flags. 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. England's women now have the opportunity to seek their revenge as they play the country tonight. Supporters watching the match in Basel, Switzerland were also pictured kitted out head-to-toe in red and white. 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.' Speaking to MailOnline at Wembley, where fans have gathered to show their support ahead of watching a livestream of the match, supporters told of their 'excitement' insisting 'we're going to win'. Sophie McCusker, who was joined by her three friends outside the stadium said: 'We've come from Liphook, which is a small village, and are huge football fans. This is the biggest game of the ear. We're so excited. Number 10 Downing Street also got in the spirit as it sported the flag of St George on its windows and bunting on the railing England fans hold up a 'Proper England' banner as they participate in the fan walk to the stadium prior to the game The fanzone is already starting to fill up and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game 'Women couldn't play football for what 50 years, I think we'll catch up with the men in 10. 'In the last few years the standard has just gone up and up. It's definitely beginning to be taken more seriously, we saw some dads on the way in here. 'Our dads are the reason we started playing, it would be so special if they were here.' Sophie's friend Genevieve Turner predicted the score as 2-1 extra time to England and 'maybe even penalties'. She said: 'I can't wait. We're going to win.' In contrast, Katie Fuller and Charlotte Brown, both 25, said they hadn't any predictions for the score and 'don't want to put any energy into it' and they 'didn't want it to go wrong'. Charlotte said: 'We were just out in Switzerland to watch the Norway game - it was wild. There were loads of English fans there. Some men as well, so it is happening. Men are coming. The atmosphere is gonna be insane. 'The atmosphere is going to be electric in there, we've been to the games at Wembley before so this is definitely the place to be.' Father and daughter John, 60, and Emma, 25, were also out enjoying the pre-match buzz. Emma said: 'We're local so we come to BoxPark all the time, the atmosphere in there is electric.' Her father, John, added: 'It's very different from the men's, much more friendly. It's better, more enjoyable. No drinks being thrown about or drugs, people are just there for a good time. It should be taken more seriously, hopefully if we win tonight it will all change.' The pair said they predicted a 2-1 win to England hoping the team score early and 'Spain won't be hogging the ball like in the man's games'. Phoebe, 16, was joined by her mother Carly, 46, outside Wembley. Predicting 2-0 to England, the pair said they were 'so nervous'. Carly added: 'I can't wait to see what the atmosphere will be like, we just got here so it will be interesting to see if it's different from the men's. We're just here to support women.' Some fans have also spoken of their disappointment as they say they were refused entry to BoxPark. The furious supporters had travelled from Cambridge having booked tickets six weeks ago when the event was free - but following England's progression to the final the event has now sold out and the group have been denied entry. Describing it as a 'complete scam', Jessica said: 'I'm just devastated, we've travelled all this way & we're such huge fans. There's people getting in there without England tops on & we're clearly dressed for the occasion.' Jasmine added: 'I play football so tonight means a lot to me, if we don't get in I'll be gutted. We will pay, we've got no issue with that, but they've point blank refused us entry.' Despite scenes elsewhere of jubilant supporters, Laura painted a different picture, saying: 'We've got here and there's no real atmosphere, no real support. If this were the men's the streets would be packed out. 'We're waiting to speak to the manager now - if we can't get in, we'll be gutted. Where are we supposed to go?' Meanwhile the fanzone in Basel, Switzerland has filled up fast and photos show jubilant supporters dancing and enjoying a cool drink in the run-up to the game. Some supporters have also got in the spirit with cardboard cut-outs of the players and large flags that read 'Lionesses Roar to the Final'. Other fans to share their good luck messages this morning included The Spice Girls. The Chase star and 'Dark Destroyer' Shaun Wallace said: 'Let's hope the Lionesses get the gift of a great performance and bringing it home tonight! Make the most of everyday, every day is a gift. 'Have a fantastic Sunday and good luck to the Lionesses tonight.' This evening's match will begin at 5pm as England bids for its second title in a row following the team's victory against Spain in the previous tournament. England's captain Leah Williamson said the team are 'aware' and 'connected' to what it would mean if the nation won today. She added: 'I think we don't necessarily carry the weight of it [the expectations] and how much it means to people, but we are aware of it because it means the same to us. 'We recognise the opportunity and will do everything we can to take it.' The Lionesses faced a tough group in the initial stages but sailed through to the knockout rounds. A dramatic penalty shootout saw them emerge victorious in the quarter-final against Sweden. Some fans are also getting the fanfare going with cardboard cut-outs of the players and large flags that read 'Lionesses Roar to the Final' And then they beat Italy 2-1 in extra time in the semi-final - marking another stunning comeback. England and Spain remain the two best sides in Europe - though the Lionesses are expected to be in for a tough fight if they wish to emerge victorious, as Spain won their most recent match 2-1 on June 3. They will also be looking for redemption against Spain, who edged them 1-0 in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. Messages of support have also poured in from the likes of the cast of EastEnders, with Heather Pearce - who plays the character Eve Panesar-Unwin in the British sitcom - saying: 'You've already done us proud and you've inspired a nation - particularly my three little girls.' She added on behalf of the cast: 'We wish you all the luck on Sunday night.' Prince William is expected to be at the stadium in Switzerland tonight at the St Jakob-Park stadium cheering the Lionesses on. In a social media post, he said: 'Good luck to the Lionesses tomorrow. 'The nation is so proud you are through to the final, after some stunning comebacks! We are all cheering you on!' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Into the final and inspiring the nation. Let's bring it home.' Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson added the team had 'absolutely smashed it', saying 'everybody is so proud of you'. One England fan joked to Sky News he 'had hair' before England's nerve-racking run to the final. He added: 'I'm a bit nervous but fingers crossed - we're going to win.' Today's match kicks off at 5pm UK time in Basel, Switzerland, and will be broadcast live on both BBC One and ITV1.
