Lioness Leah Williamson's home town celebrates

Williamson's home town celebrates "the first English person to lift two European trophies".

A close-up of Leah Williamson holding the Euro 2025 cup. Her fair hair is pulled back from her face and she is smiling broadly while wearing England football kit in white, blue and red. Part of the silver trophy can just be seen on the right.
Leah Williamson captained England to a second successive Euro success [Getty Images]

Football fans have been celebrating in the home town of England captain Leah Williamson.

The Lionesses retained their European crown by beating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final of Euro 2025.

About 1,000 people watched the match on a big screen in Williamson's home town Newport Pagnell, near Milton Keynes, with hundreds packed into its pubs.

"What she's done is amazing - she's the first English person to lift two European trophies," said her brother Jacob Williamson.

"I thought the first time would be the best time of my life - seeing her win again is the best thing in the world."

Jacob Williamson standing in the doorway of a crowded pub in Newport Pagnell. He has short fair hair and a short light brown beard. He is wearing an England shirt in red white and blue, starting to smile. Behind him are men and women.
Jacob Williamson was amazed at the turnout to watch his sister in the final in their home town of Newport Pagnell [Justin Dealey/BBC]

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 standing in a park in Newport Pagnell. He has light brown hair and  light brown beard and is wearing a red England shirt, over which his his gold mayoral chain. He is smiling broadly. Behind him are men, women and children milling around having watched the match on a big screen.
Newport Pagnell mayor Paul Day said it was an emotional experience watching the match on a big screen in Williamson's home town [Justin Dealey/BBC]

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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Category: General Sports