Match-winner Chloe Kelly has delivered a powerful and patriotic statement following England’s second consecutive Women’s Euros win in yet another moment of national pride for the Lionesses.
The former Manchester City player, who faced doubts over even being included in the Euro 2025 squad, once again enjoyed the hero moment in the final against a very talented Spain team, firing a rocket of a penalty into the top left corner.
It wasn’t the first time she’s played the role of difference maker either, not only having scored the winner in their last European final against Germany, but scoring the decisive goal in the semis against Italy to book their final spot in first place.
Here’s the moment she almost took the roof of – both metaphorically and quite literally:
Speaking in the immediate aftermath to the BBC, the 27-year-old Arsenal star was clearly full of all the emotions, so much so that she did let a little swear word off, telling a reporter: “When we were down against Sweden and down against Italy, we f***ing showed grit and determination and we came back.”
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However, not only was she given instant dispensation and forgiveness for the expletive slip-up (she’s just won the Euros for the second time, after all), but this wasn’t even close to the stand-out comment from her post-match interviews.
Kelly went on to say, “I’m so proud to be English”, adding that whatever the circumstances in a major tournament or otherwise, for that matter, “you can’t write us off.”
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For a country that has regularly wrestled with the muddy line between patriotism and nationalism, especially over the last couple of decades, it came as a breath of fresh air to many of those watching back home.
An unpolitical, simple moment and declaration of something people don’t say as much as they perhaps should.
“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.”
It goes without saying that we couldn’t be prouder of the England women’s team, and we can’t lie, we definitely enjoyed Chloe Kelly lapping up the plaudits and proving her haters wrong.
The so-called ‘Queen of Clutch’ now has two different European Championship-winning strikes and her big finish in the Finalissima shoot-out against Brazil.
"The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice." 🏆🏆
Safe to say, the London-born forward has well and truly earned the right to soak up these scenes and enjoy her moment in the spotlight yet again.
It was almost as if she was trying to reel off as many famous phrases and clippable sound bites as possible, telling national media in the post-match press conference: “Thank you to whoever wrote me off, I’m grateful.”
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Rejoice, England: football came home – you could say it never left.
Featured Images — BBC Sport (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Nathan Aspinall urges PDPA to improve mental health support within the sport
Danny Jones
Local sports personality Nathan Aspinall has urged the Professional Darts Players Association (PDPA) to provide better mental health support moving forward.
It’s not the first time ‘The Asp’ has called for more awareness and provision when it comes to player welfare and mental wellbeing, specifically, which remains a prevailing societal problem in general.
The Greater Manchester native has opened up about his own struggles many times in the past and has made a public plea for the PDPA to intervene and offer more help.
Speaking at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championships after his opening round victory, the 34-year-old instead chose to focus on more important issues than his strong start.
As you can see, Aspinall began by stating that “the PDPA now need to step in and help these guys because there’s a lot of guys suffering.”
Having long been an champion for male mental health, in particular – supporting the local Healthy Minds practices in his hometown of Stockport, for instance – he’s been one of the outspoken player on the subject for some time.
Noting that there are at least “two or three people” he refused to name, his message was simple: “There’s a lot of fantastic dart players in our sport, but it’ll be a shame to see so many of them go because of mental health”
The 2019 UK Open and 2023 World Matchplay winner has battled with multiple obstacles, including an ocular condition known as bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome, as well bursitis, which causes inflammation around key joints.
But it’s not necessarly injuries and the physical side of things that have been his biggest concern.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
"I really do not care anymore.
"I do everything I can to be a good sportsman and you still get s**t. So you know what? I don't care. Say what you want." pic.twitter.com/mCBjQ6kvyj
One of the biggest and most recurring challenges for him has been ‘dartitis’, which many players within the discipline wrestle with the more their careers progress.
Aspinall has confessed to suffering almost chronic panic attacks due to the mental blocks (also commonly known as ‘the yips’) brought about by the intense pressure of playing on stage/live on TV.
With that in mind, it’s great to see him not only back on form and pulling impressive performance such as his ‘big fish’ finish on Friday night, but continuing to draw more attention to the underlying mental health crisis, especially among men. Well played, Nath.
You can watch his post-match interview in full down below.
Featured Images — Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)/Live Darts (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Danny Jones -
28th July 2025 
