The Lionesses’ OTHER big goal… Carving out a post-football career

They’ve scored 20 goals, netted TV ratings in the millions and inspired the whole nation to dream that it might – just might – be coming home this time.

So whether England’s Lionesses triumph over Germany at Wembley in the Euros final tomorrow or not, sporting immortality is theirs.

Which all begs the question: Will their unassuming lives ever be the same again?

Without the financial security of the men’s game, the side have built their own identities and careers away from the pitch in case of injury or their success faltering.

Striker Bethany England, 28, is five years into a six-year Open University law degree

While the men’s game attracts weekly six-figure salaries, the Women’s Super League (WSL) pays only about £30,000 a year.

Take captain Leah Williamson, 25, who is training to be an accountant. ‘If a boy signs for an academy aged 16 he is generally set for life,’ the Arsenal defender said.

‘It’s a massive contrast in our game and I’m aware of that. It’s ridiculous to think that once your career finishes you are going to be fine and set.’

Striker Bethany England, 28, is five years into a six-year Open University law degree.

In her first season in the WSL, she was balancing playing for the Doncaster Belles with her A-levels and a job in a Barnsley fish and chip shop. 

‘I ended up working for three-and-a-half years in a chippy, doing night shifts on a Friday and Saturday,’ Miss England said. 

Which all begs the question: Will their unassuming lives ever be the same again?

Meanwhile Jill Scott, 35, runs a successful coffee shop, Boxx2Boxx – so called because of her all-action midfielding

The Chelsea forward has also worked in a bakery, a factory, an Indian restaurant and M&S to support her career and earned just £150 a month on the pitch when she started. 

Meanwhile Jill Scott, 35, runs a successful coffee shop, Boxx2Boxx – so called because of her all-action midfielding.

Several have followed in the academic footsteps of their coach Sarina Wiegman, who studied at the University of North Carolina

Alessia Russo, 23 – who scored the backheel goal against Sweden in the semis – earned a degree in sports business there after being dropped by Chelsea in 2017 – before landing at Manchester United.

Without the financial security of the men’s game, the side have built their own identities and careers away from the pitch in case of injury or their success faltering

Take captain Leah Williamson, 25, who is training to be an accountant

And goalkeeper Mary Earps, 29, graduated in information management and business studies from Loughborough University and worked several jobs to keep herself afloat.

She said: ‘I had a job in the cinema, a job at a kids’ toy shop, two coaching jobs and I worked with my dad’s business doing some telesales to pay for my boots and petrol.’

Miss Earps nearly quit in 2020 to pursue a different career. But with an anticipated TV audience of 14million Britons tomorrow and a chance of bettering the result of the men’s team, who were runners up to Italy at last year’s Euros, she must be delighted she didn’t.