- By Chris Robinson, Phil Connell and Andy Watson
- BBC North East and Cumbria
Followers of all ages joined Lucy Bronze’s gran, Gloria Stapylton (centre in England hat), as they watched on from Ponteland, Northumberland
Watching the motion some 10,000 miles away, Lucy Bronze’s nan couldn’t present extra pleasure in her very personal Lioness.
Gloria Stapylton embraced each minute of the ecstasy and agony of England’s Girls’s World Cup defeat to Spain.
She was joined by followers at Ponteland Leisure Centre, Northumberland, the North East county the place Bronze grew up.
“It is a powerful recreation, it may be a merciless recreation however you at all times want just a little component of luck and sadly the luck was on the opposite facet,” she stated.
A big cardboard cut-out of the defender watched over the group
“I can cry for them, I can see they’re bitterly dissatisfied, however it’s sport and you’ve got to have the ability to choose your self up.
“She had a incredible recreation – she did so properly, she saved the balls so many occasions, she saved further targets entering into, so I’m pleased along with her.
“She’s at all times been particular since she was born, no matter she touched she gave the impression to be good at – from a really younger age her coach at Alnwick stated ‘she’s going to play for England’.”
Bronze’s nan and aunt, Julie Powerful, have been on tenterhooks throughout the recreation
“Clearly we went into the World Cup eager to win it and we have been so shut, however in the long run we could not fairly get it over the road,” Bronze told the BBC afterwards.
“I’m happy with what we’ve achieved however I feel everyone that is aware of me, is aware of that I solely like gold medals.”
Picture supply, Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Bronze walks previous the trophy along with her runners-up medal after shedding the World Cup closing
Again dwelling within the North East, admiration quickly received over disappointment.
Mrs Stapylton, who led a refrain of anthem Candy Caroline with fellow followers, praised what England girls have achieved for ladies’ soccer.
“I do know that is of their hearts on a regular basis, they’re always pondering ‘how can we enhance issues for the younger ladies developing?’,” she stated.
Watch: A refrain of Candy Caroline was led by the grandmother of England defender Lucy Bronze
“Those earlier than them tried to assist them and now they’re making an attempt to assist the following technology.
“There have been little ladies right here which have all come alongside they usually have been so thrilled to look at it, they know all of the names of the ladies, they’re making an attempt to assist me saying ‘do not cry'”.
Mrs Stapylton stated she couldn’t wait to present her granddaughter a “huge hug” when England tackle Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Gentle on 22 September, of their UEFA’s Girls’s Nations League opener.
