Council leader salutes champion Lionesses

Oldham Council Leader Councillor Amanda Chadderton has led local tributes to the victorious England Women's football team after their dream European Championships success at Wembley last night (Sunday).  

The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in London thanks to goals from substitutes Ella Toone, who plays for Manchester United, and Chloe Kelly, who plays for Manchester City.

It is England's first major tournament success since the 1966 men's World Cup.

Councillor Chadderton Tweeted: "What a team. What a manager. What a tournament.

"HUGE Congratulations to the Lionesses, every single one us are mad proud."

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams added her personal tribute.

She said: "Absolutely brilliant #englandwomen real #Lionesses never giving up!!"

Latics and Chadderton FC also congatulated the heroic women's team, who went one better than the men's side, who lost to Italy on penalties at the same venue in last summer's European Championship final.

Simon Smedley from the Chronicle regularly reports on the English Women's Super League competition, chiefly covering the two big Manchester clubs.

He said: "The England girls have been simply amazing.

"There appears to be a genuine togetherness in the squad, and that has carried them through to this fantastic success.

"I think I'll be a lot busier covering the WSL once the new season re-starts next month."

Nationally, the Queen has led the tributes to England's Euro 2022 winners, sending a message of congratulations in which she called them "an inspiration".

"My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women's Championships," a statement from the UK monarch said.

Prince William, writing on his Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Twitter account, said: "Sensational. An incredible win.

"The whole nation couldn't be prouder of you all. Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations!"

Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Sarina Wiegman's side on social media, writing: "Football has come home! A stunning victory by the Lionesses.

"Huge congratulations to Sarina [Wiegman, manager], Leah [Williamson, captain] and the whole team.

"Football pitches across the country will be filled as never before by girls and women inspired by your triumph."

There will be a victory celebration in front of fans at Trafalgar Square this morning between 11:00 and 14:00 BST - an event that will be broadcast live on BBC One from 12:40 BST.

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