'I cried' says care leader as nation's oldest football fans cheer England's Euro 2022 win

England’s Euro 2022 women’s squad brought joy to the nation’s oldest football fans as the European champions beat Germany and made a care leader cry because she was denied the chance as a girl to play the sport.

Claiming the European Championship 2022, with goals scored (2-1) by footballers Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, England lifted major silverware in an international game for the first time since 1966 World cup win and the feat was not lost on care leader Karolina Gerlich.

Care leader: 'I wasn't allowed to play as a teenager'

Responding to the victory, chief executive of the Care Workers’ Charity, Karolina Gerlich remembers her own passion for football as a kid.

Karolina Gerlich told her Twitter followers (@KGerlich777): “And I cried… I wasn’t allowed to play as a teenager.

"This must create more opportunities for girls wanting to play.”

Ms Gerlich was not the only one in celebratory mood as England's oldest fans watched the victory in care homes across the land.

It took 56 years of willing it to happen and football fans old enough to watch England winning the World Cup went wild after a 2-1 victory against Germany that touched the British psyche and made football finally come home.

Care worker Joy Parry said: “I was working in a care home during the match and it was wonderful to see so many residents watching the match together interacting with each other.”

Care worker Kelsea Webb said: “I work in a care home and whilst watching final, I was with a 97-year-old when the lionesses scored the first goal and with a resident with a pace maker when they scored the second goal and let’s just say I was screaming, celebrating and jumping like there was no tomorrow."

Aunt took unpaid leave from care home job 'to play football for Arsenal’

With a win on home turf at Wembley, it has been 101 years since the Football Association banned women from playing on Association grounds.

The 'beautiful' game’s history has seen what could be described as years of hurt for women trying to play football.

Welsh football international Ayshea Martyn played for women's soccer club Arsenal. The striker, who lived in Barry, only joined Arsenal after Barry Town announced their withdrawal from women's football in 2002. Barry Town Ladies football side had to be disbanded because of problems recruiting players.

Her niece Kelsey Martyn is a care worker at charity The Nelson Trust, which helps people improve their emotional well-being and overcome substance misuse.

Kelsey Martyn (@kelsmartyn) tweeted: “I remember the days where my aunt would have to take unpaid leave - from her job in a care home - to play football for @ArsenalWFC & @FAW_Womens.

"20 years later & @Lionesses just lifted the trophy, in front of 87,000 at Wembley Stadium.”