Calls Made to Give Chloe Kelly Freedom of the Borough

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Former Hanwell schoolgirl scores winning goal in the Euros final

Chloe celebrates scoring the winner. Picture: @Lionesses/Twitter

Calls are already being made to give the Freedom of Ealing Borough to Chloe Kelly, the scorer of the winning goal in the Women’s Euros final this Sunday (31 July).

Chloe had come on as a second half substitute and the game with Germany had gone into extra time, with the dreaded penalties looming, when she was quickest to react to a loose ball in the six-yard box. It was her first goal in senior international football.

After a brief check that VAR wasn’t going to be a factor, she ripped off her shirt to reveal her sports bra as she celebrated wildly with her teammates. The obligatory yellow card followed but it was clearly worth it.

Her shirtless celebration was a repeat of the iconic moment in 1999 when American soccer player Brandi Chastain did the same when scoring the winning penalty at a Women’s World Cup final in 1999.

In a ruthlessly professional last few minutes, the Lionesses frustrated the Germans by keeping the ball close to their corner flag with Chloe using her skills to prevent the opposition regaining possession.

The former Elthorne Park pupil has remained in celebration mode after the game, dropping the mic on an interview with the BBC to join the rest of the Lionesses signing Sweet Caroline.

Just over a year ago she suffered a serious knee injury and it was far from clear that she would be able to play in the tournament.

She said after the game, “Thank you to everyone who played part in my rehab, because I always believed I could be here, but to score the winner … wow. These girls are special, the manager is special and what a special group of staff. This is amazing. All my family are in the crowd. My mum, all my brothers, my sister, all my nephews, everyone. I just want to celebrate.”

Now, the discussion has turned to how Chloe should be honoured with a mural being one of the suggestions. Many, including former council leader Julian Bell, are already demanding that she be given the Freedom of the Borough as Bukayo Saka was after the men’s Euros final.

Cllr Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader of Ealing Council, “We are so proud of local England footballer, Chloe Kelly. We would like to offer Chloe Freedom of the Borough for her amazing achievements and I will be recommending this happens as soon as possible.

“History has been made and we want to see many more young people achieve sporting greatness like Chloe.”

To celebrate the achievement of Chloe and the other Lionesses, the Ealing Project is having a special screening of Bend It Like Beckham this Friday evening at 8.30pm with tickets priced at just 4pm. There will be a 2 for 1 drinks offer to mark the 2-1 victory against Germany in the final.

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August 4, 2022