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)
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Sale Sharks are pioneering an inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks are currently pioneering a heartwarming and, crucially, inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome.
The native organisation has always been good at working across the local community, but this is the kind of grassroots sports backing that we want to see more of across the region.
Working in collaboration with PREM Rugby and the Premiership Women’s division, Sale Sharks spawned the important scheme just a few short years ago, dubbing it the Crusaders Fins Club (CFC).
Driven by the overarching theme of ‘belonging’, these sessions are now happening every other Sunday at the club’s High Performance Training Centre over in Carrington.
Today we’re celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in creating social connection
— Sale Sharks Foundation (@SaleSharksFdn) March 21, 2026
In its simplest terms, this increasingly popular and important bi-weekly programme is a dedicated tag rugby team for individuals with Down’s Syndrome who love the sport.
Not just inspired by but named in memory of Sean Browne – a beloved player and Sharks fan whose favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – isn’t just about playing, but fundamentally helping those involved “become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.”
Sean sadly passed away at the age of just 32, but he touched so many people’s lives in and around the club, as well as across the Greater Manchester rugby scene, and now his legacy lives on through CFC.
Prior to it being founded back in 2020, there wasn’t any accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions, but now families from all over the North West and even beyond travel to take part, with at least nineteen regular participants attending each and every session.
One of those is 27-year-old James, who said of CFC: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
It also goes without saying that, besides serving as a key outlet and extended support network for those involved, it also provides them with purpose, a safe space to be themselves and enjoy the game, as well as the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
Sharks Foundation CEO, Abi Dean, added: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging.”
“With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
This weekend, specifically (27–29 March), round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and round 16 of the PWR will see their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game, celebrating work like that done by the Sale Sharks Foundation with the Crusaders squad.
It also served as a reminder to fans that in the world of rugby, “everyone is welcome, and anyone can play”. You can find out more right HERE.
Owen Trout to leave Leigh Leopards at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Leigh Leopards star Owen Trout is officially set to leave at the end of the season after lots of interest around the world.
The 26-year-old has garnered plenty of suitors over the past couple of years, helping lead the Leopards to their best finish to date in Super League history last term.
With that in mind, some would argue it was only a matter of time before he was snapped up, becoming just the latest UK talent to make the move to Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL).
Announcing his exit on Thursday, 26 March, Trout will soon be swimming in Shark-infested waters, as he is set to join Sydney’s suburban side, Cronulla.
England international Owen Trout will take his talents from the Super League to the NRL in 2027 after signing a two-year deal with the Cronulla Sharks ✍️ https://t.co/GYqh6mD23P
Putting pen to paper on a two-year contract, the new Cronulla Sharks signing will get going in the NRL next year, but still has plenty of work to do for the remainder of his time in Leigh.
2026 may not have seen his best performances so far, but the Leopards as a whole haven’t been at their best domestically, either.
With just a couple of points to their name after five games, the next couple of weeks are a real opportunity to put together a proper run of form.
In addition to facing Toulouse this weekend, they’ve also got a North West double bill coming up against Warrington Wolves, who they’ll face in the league and the Challenge Cup quarter-final.
As for Trout himself, having made his England Rugby League debut this past October, he only came off the bench, but many national team followers made it clear they believe he should be in contention for a starting place.
Personality-wise, he’ll also be a big miss for the Super League in general, as he won over plenty of fans by shedding light on men’s mental health with Movember.
Speaking on the signing, Cronulla Sharks GM Darren Mooney said in an official statement: “Owen’s style of play is well-suited for success in the NRL, and we believe he is at the right stage of his career to make the move.
“He still has a job to do at Leigh, and our focus is firmly on the current NRL season, but we look forward to welcoming him to the club in due course.”
The Wakefield-born player has been hailed not only for his natural traits but versality, having played in both the front and second row, and that’s a particular level of utility that the Greater Manchester outfit will be hoping to find again elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in other British rugby league news, another big exit has been confirmed as Salford RLFC boss officially departed the team earlier this week.
Danny Jones -
28th July 2025 
