Personally Speaking: 'National game will be protected by new law'

My Personally Speaking Column in the Sentinel (31 July 2025)

On Sunday night, the Lionesses made history – again. As they lifted the Women’s European Championship trophy for the second time in a row, it wasn’t just about the result – it was about the pride in our country, the sense of togetherness, and the memories being made in living rooms, pubs and parks up and down the country. It captured something many people felt in that moment – and that Chloe Kelly put simply and perfectly after scoring the winning penalty: “I’m so proud to be English.”

What sets this team apart is what they represent – not just excellence on the pitch, but the progress we’ve made off it. For so many girls and young women, seeing the Lionesses succeed has opened up new possibilities. That’s been clear since the win in 2022 and the evolution of the women’s game since then – more coverage, more investment, and more young people seeing a future for themselves in sport.

It’s a reminder of what can happen when we support talent properly and open the door for everyone to take part.

The journeys of so many players in this squad – including Hannah Hampton, who spent her early years at Stoke City and, thankfully, chose to become a goalkeeper during her time in North Staffordshire – show the importance of local clubs and grassroots sport. These are the places that open doors, build confidence, and help young people reach their potential.

You can’t be what you can’t see – but you also need someone to give you a chance. That’s what great community clubs do. They give young people the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

I saw that recently at Newcastle-under-Lyme Volleyball Club, during a girls’ training session at Madeley School. Watching them train, laugh and encourage one another was a clear reminder of what grassroots sport is really about. It’s not just about learning a game – it’s about building self-belief, nurturing talent, and having a fun, welcoming environment where everyone is included, supported and given the chance to thrive.

I was also pleased to join so many at Wood Lane Cricket Club recently for the unveiling of the new Jervis and Grocott Stand – a project rooted in local pride and community effort. Clubs like this don’t just create opportunities for budding players – they bring people together, help build friendships that last a lifetime, and give volunteers, families and supporters a shared purpose. These clubs make our communities stronger – not just by what happens on the pitch, but by the way they connect people and improve the places we live in.

That’s why the Football Governance Act 2025 – which is now law – is such a big step forward. It introduces an independent regulator for men’s and women’s football in England, with real powers to oversee how clubs are run and to make sure they’re managed sustainably.

For too long, supporters have been left powerless when clubs face financial collapse or are taken over by owners with no connection to the club or the community. From the failed Super League to the near collapse of clubs with generations of history behind them, fans have had to watch as decisions were made over their heads.

This new law changes that. It gives supporters a proper voice, puts safeguards in place to protect clubs’ names, colours, grounds and traditions, and ensures that finances are run sustainably across the football pyramid – from the top tiers to grassroots.

This legislation has been a long time coming, and it reflects years of campaigning by fans, clubs and MPs from across Parliament. It's a major step forward in protecting our national game and making sure it serves the people who make it what it is.

So yes, let’s celebrate the Lionesses – for everything they’ve achieved and everything they represent. Let’s celebrate Hannah Hampton, whose goalkeeping journey began here in our patch. And let’s back the changes now in place to protect and strengthen sport – not just for today’s players and fans, but for the next generation.

Because when we get sport right – when it’s accessible, rooted in the community, and supported by strong foundations – it has the power to bring us together, lift us up, and make us all proud to be English.