The Manchester United playmaker, who scored England’s first goal in a 2-1 win against Germany at Wembley on Sunday, is grateful to the pioneers who took the women’s game to a new level, but also believes this generation “left the jersey to a better place”. A record crowd of 87,192 witnessed Sarina Wiegman’s side secure England’s first major trophy since the men won the 1966 World Cup on the same turf – but many of the biggest challenges facing the women’s game disappeared last year month. Toone is aware, even in her moment of glory, that the next victory for the game will be achieved if the excited crowds at this exciting international tournament spill onto domestic rooftops when the WSL kicks off in mid-September. The 22-year-old said: “I think a lot of people have fallen in love with women’s football this summer. That’s what we set out to do. So hopefully the crowds we had this summer we can get into our stadiums at club level and a few more fans in the stadium will be on the journey with us.” Toone started playing for United at the age of eight and returned to the club she supports when the senior team was formed in 2018. Although they are integrated into the top half of the WSL, the average crowd in the division is around 2,000. The Football Association has set a target of 6,000 by 2024 and, with the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next July, the game has never had a higher profile. England fans celebrate Ella Toon’s goal against Germany. Photo: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian “It’s huge now, absolutely huge,” Toone said. “We can’t forget everyone who came before us, but we’ve left the shirt in a better place for all the little girls growing up and we’re so proud. “All we wanted to do was inspire the next generation and we’ve done that and women’s football is getting bigger and bigger.” Toone played a vital role in the dramatic development that culminated in England’s triumph. Her impact as a second-half substitute in this tournament can be measured in the crucial opening goals against Spain in the quarter-finals when England were six minutes from elimination, and a beautiful finish to put England ahead in the final after being stuck in final. Pass by Kiera Walsh to curl a shot over the keeper into the top corner. “I’ve seen her come out and I thought that would be the best shot,” he said. “I started celebrating before it went into the net so I was sure it was going in and then the whole stadium erupted. Honest [it’s the] the best feeling of my life. “You can see the secondary has a huge impact in every game we’ve come into. Me and Chloe [Kelly] both scored [on Sunday] both of us [were] starting as subs, but Sarina said it’s a team of 23, so we know our roles. “We know when we come in we have to change the game and that’s what we did.”
