The mention of the three lions often brings to mind the men’s England football team. A team lacking triumph, having not brought a trophy home for 58 years. The Lionesses are simply dismissed, despite their recent victories.
The 2022 Euros final took place at Wembley, with the Lionesses overcoming old rivals and eight-time champions, Germany. With Chloe Kelly scoring the winning goal, England officially created history; having won its first ever major women’s championship.
Euphoria overcame the stadium as Kelly bombarded supporters with the adopted anthem, “Sweet Caroline”. Although a record crowd for any European Championship final of 87,192 witnessed this scene, and thousands were filled with unbridled joy, many are yet to acknowledge the women’s victory.
Following the men’s failure at this year’s Euros final, the Lionesses have provided a chance to pursue national pride in the year 2025. England secured qualification for the tournament after a goalless draw with Sweden in Gothenburg.
Head coach Sarina Wiegman, having never lost a European Championship game, leads the pack into another chance to spark joy throughout the country. However, will this be enjoyed by all?
Women’s football is relatively new to the world. The origins of the game itself date back to 1863, when only the men were allowed to participate in such an activity.
For women, the inaugural match was played on the 18th of November 1972- over one hundred years later. Today, the average wage of a male Premier League player is £3 million a year.
In comparison, the average women’s super league player (the highest league of women’s football in England), earns approximately £47,000 per year. This is an astronomical difference; the income range is simply the tip of a deep-rooted inequality.
It can be argued that women’s football is a different game, and a different industry, so the two genders are not comparable, yet is this not simply an excuse to ignore unjust beliefs?
Social media platforms were flooded with the sorrow that accompanied the inability to ‘bring it home’ after the Lions lost to Spain just recently. Many preached their dismay at the lack of a trophy for nearly 60 years, blatantly ignoring the one brought back just two years ago.
England’s Lionesses strive to boost the women’s game and have achieved such a goal with their recent victory, but their efforts are not enough.
Whilst female professionals are forced to take second jobs even when building their career, men are set for life after signing a professional contract. The need for a part-time job is a result of many factors, but one is a lack of support for the women’s game.
To play your part and help to grow women’s football, draw pride from the Lionesses and acknowledge them as equals. Such skill and hard work cannot go unnoticed but must be celebrated and respected.
Therefore, I implore you to watch the 2025 Euros. Hang up your bunting, meet with family and follow the Lionesses’ impressive streak which builds their legacy every day.