Rugby league star Olly Ashall-Bott has been singing the praises of girlfriend, Cumbria ace Georgia Stanway after England’s weekend Euros triumph.
The 24-year-old Toulouse full-back flew over from France for the game and had the chance to join the after-match party before catching an early morning flight back to prepare for Thursday’s Super League game at Hull KR.
Stanway helped the Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 after extra-time at Wembley Stadium, to clinch the trophy in front of 87,192 fans.
He told Love Rugby League: “I’m just so glad that I got the chance to go see her. I hadn’t caught an England game before because our fixtures didn’t align. When I was playing, she was playing. But we had the weekend off and our head coach Sylvain Houles let me go – I don’t think he could have said no.
“What a game to go see! They got the job done in front of a full stadium. I was buzzing and so happy for her and the team.
“Sharing moments like that with her is just incredible for me. There’s a video of me on TV giving her a hug at Wembley, memories like that you never forget.
“I got to go to the after-match party and see all the girls – I know most of them because I’ve been with Georgia for a long time.
“I’m not going to say too much because she’ll get big-headed but she knows how proud I am of her.
“I don’t think they’ve stopped partying yet. I said to her: ‘Enjoy these moments because they don’t come around often’.
“I just think it’s massive for every sport out there, all genders. A few years ago when I first got with Georgia, they were getting just over 1,000 people to a game.
“I’ve been fully behind it since I met Georgia and it’s crazy how big it’s got, for women in general, forget about football and sport, it’s massive for women.
“I don’t think you can compare men’s and women’s football any more, it’s just sport now.”
Stanway hails from Barrow and has been a Man City player for seven years as well as earning 40 England caps.
She might get some stick next year when she links up with her new club Bayern Munich following Germany’s defeat in the final on Sunday.
