Girl inspired after England's Millie Bright gift

An aspiring footballer was given the moment of a lifetime when England's Millie Bright gifted her shirt after a Lionesses' game.

Poppy Graham, 12, attended England Women's game against the Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road in Norwich on Friday with her own team, the Witchford Colts under 12s.

Determined to meet defender Bright, Poppy, who lives in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, created a sign with Bright's name on and was left ecstatic when the player came over at the end of the game.

She said it had made her "the happiest girl on earth", while her mother Jade Graham, 35, said it had left her daughter wholly inspired.

As a celebration of the Witchford Colts' winning their league, money from the team's tuckshop helped pay for the girls' tickets, according to Poppy's mother Jade Graham.

The players' parents, who paid for their own tickets, and coaches went to a rainy Carrow Road which saw a 2-1 win for the Lionesses.

The girls were positioned at the front near a goal and Poppy was ready with her sign which she spent the previous week creating.

"Poppy idolises Millie and she is also a defender. She really sees herself in Millie and looks up to her," Ms Graham explained.

"They spent the whole game calling her [saying] like, we love you Millie.

"Where Millie was positioned, she could probably hear this corner that idolised her.

"Poppy had the only sign which said Millie so as she got to the goal she clocked Poppy's sign.

"All the girls were shouting for her and she started to take her shirt off.

"Poppy was just buzzing with excitement. It was pure raw happiness. She just felt so inspired."

Poppy added: "Millie giving me her shirt made me the happiest girl on earth.

"It has inspired me to carry on and keep dreaming of one day being a Lioness.

"It's my starting story and just like Millie I will continue to dream big."

Bright signed her shirt for Poppy but due to the rain that night, the signature rubbed off.

But Ms Graham said her daughter was still elated and it was the moment that was more important to her.

In fact it left such an impression on Poppy, the next day she spent three hours outside practising her football skills to ensure she was ready for her next season in the top league with the Witchford Colts.

"She came back with that feeling of 'I can do it'," Ms Graham continued.

"For all of the girls, being able to relate to a football player, to see yourself in that player and to have that goal, it reduces that barrier between dream and reality.

"Millie will always be our favourite player because she lives by the mantra 'dream big'.

"Poppy dreamed big and she's met her."

Poppy, as she said, is determined to play for the Lionesses one day.

Ms Graham added: "Poppy will play for England.

"She doesn't express interest - she instead says when I get there or when I make it. She's determined."

Once Poppy turns 15 she will be able to consider trialling for larger clubs.

Ms Graham added she was keen to spend the next few years until then growing and developing her skills.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830