longtime dads have “loved” upon seeing their daughters’ reactions to the Lionesses, with one hoping to see his five-year-old play for Liverpool in the future.
Matthew Hicks, 46, an IT manager from Manchesteris the father of ‘little footballer’ Olivia, five, who has played football ‘occasionally’ since kindergarten.
He told the PA news agency: “She has only just started at (Middleton Lads and Girls Football Club) but has won many medals.
Hopefully one day she will be at Anfield with me and play professionally for Liverpool ladies
“I hope she does well enough to play in the leagues later this year.
“I’m not putting any pressure on her, but I admit it’s great that she’s so interested in football, but I’m aware that kids change their minds.
“I’m trying a England shirt or polo shirt in her size and sold out everywhere, so you can see how popular it has been.
“Hopefully one day she’ll be at Anfield with me and playing professionally for Liverpool ladies.”
Mr Hicks said the opportunity to watch the matches on TV for free will hopefully “inspire the next generation”.
“I told Olivia there’s no reason she can’t be a footballer, she can watch TV and see that I’m telling the truth.”
He said they will watch the final on Sunday and “whatever happens to the end result, I’m sure Olivia will want to play with me after that”.
Mark Rayner, 40, a psychiatric nurse from Newcastle, said he has become “emotional” by the impact the Women’s Euro has had on his daughter, seven-year-old Clara-Jane.
Frankly, being the father of a girl, it makes me emotional when I see the impact it has not just on Clara, but the wider community
“Honestly, being the father of a girl, it makes me emotional when I see the impact it has not just on Clara, but the wider community.
“It has raised the profile of the women’s game, especially among the younger generation.
“She now wants to play it at school and has asked if we can go to a women’s game,” he said.
“When I watched the men’s game she was always a little interested, but when I saw other girls playing football she was much more involved.
“She asked a lot of questions about the players and who they play for etc.”
The Women’s European Championship final is over Wembley on Sunday 31 July, when England play Germany.