Lioness Hannah Hampton was born to be a footballer, ex-manager says

Birmingham-born Hannah Hampton is being celebrated as England’s hero after the Lionesses retained their European title in the UEFA Women’s Euros, beating Spain on penalties in the final.

The 24-year-old saved two penalties before Chloe Kelly stepped up to seal the win.

Hampton, who was told at a young age she couldn’t play football because of a serious eye condition, dealt with a series of setbacks but rose to the top after playing for teams including Birmingham City and Aston Villa.

Her former manager Carla Ward said she was “born to be a footballer”.

Julie Abbot, from Aston Villa Women’s Fan Club, told BBC Radio WM’s Ed James there was such a “vibe” in the stadium she couldn’t put into words how she felt.

She said: “It was one of those where the match was going to be decided on a piece of bad luck or outstanding skill and the longer it went on, the longer I thought ‘this is ours tonight, it’s here for the taking’.”

She said Hampton came in after Mary Earps announced her shock retirement earlier this year, and had proven herself worthy, adding: “To see her so happy and the whole team is just amazing – just amazing for football and amazing for English football and promoting the game in this country.”

Hampton grew up in Warwickshire, and attended Erasmus Darwin Academy in Burntwood, Staffordshire.

In her home village of Studley, pub landlord Daz White has screened all the games at The Swan. He said everyone always believed England could win, even when they were one goal down.

“There was always confidence,” he told BBC Radio CWR’s Phil Upton. “You couldn’t move in the pub, it was absolutely heaving.”

Sian Osmond, assistant manager at Rugby Borough Women, said she hoped England’s win would continue to drive interest in women’s football in this country.

“Hopefully, it inspires the next generation as well, because seeing is believing,” she said.

Nancy, aged 13, an aspiring goalkeeper from Coundon, near Coventry, said: “This definitely shows how women are pretty much as good as the men, like this is inspiration for the next generation.”

The Rugby Town player said she had her “fingers crossed” she might one day play at a national level herself.

Monica Smith, from Spotty Pots Pottery Painting Studio in Studley, said it had been an incredible game, incredible competition and incredible team, adding: “They are the best.”

At her studio, she has been making Lionesses, which are now dotted all over the village, and said celebrations would continue: “We’ve got lots of footballs, we’ve got trophies, we’ve got all sorts of things that people can come and paint, just to commemorate this.

“This is a moment in time. Some of these young kids are going to remember forever what an exciting thing to have witnessed.

“I just think it’s an incredible feel good thing that we all need.”

The winning players are attending a reception at Downing Street later to celebrate their victory in Switzerland and there will be an open-top bus parade through central London on Tuesday.

After the game, Hampton said the team had been “unbelievable, incredible”. She said she lost track of the score when Kelly stepped up, adding: “I saw that run up and that was it, we’ve won. I can’t believe it.”

She revealed she lost a nail along the way, but said: “If I have to give up a nail for the trophy, for the win, then so be it, but it’s a lovely moment.”