East Yorkshire football stars hope for Lionesses' success
As England's World Cup campaign gets underway, two football heroes from the past and future share their experiences of the game.
Nine-year-old Betsy Hayes was inspired to start playing football when the Lionesses won the Euros. Just a year on and after starring for Hornsea Under nines, she was signed to Hull City Ladies' Girls Elite Academy.
It took a lot of bravery to go to the trials - she said: "There was over 200 girls there, it was really tricky because there were loads of different groups but I went on my own because I didn't know anyone."
Speaking about the moment she heard she'd made it into the team, she said: "It feels really good, I'm glad I started playing football. I got home from school and mum gave me a letter. I opened it and could not believe it!"
Carol Thomas, 68, is a family friend from Hull, and captained England for nine years. England Women are still pushing for better prize money payments - a discussion they'll resume after the tournament - but Carol Thomas said huge progress has been made in the women's game.
She said: "When I was a young girl I didn't have the opportunity that Betsy's got now so to see the youngsters being able to play football at school and get into these elite centres - especially in the Hull area - is brilliant.
"I didn't have female footballers as role models when I started playing so for Betsy and the other young girls to have the Lionesses and even Hull City Ladies - they are the role models now."
Hearing about Carol's experience, Betsy said: "It makes me feel lucky to get the opportunity with trials and to look up to people and be inspired by them."
That inspiration is set to continue during the World Cup campaign, and both players were confident of more success this summer.
Betsy said: "I'm very excited to watch the Lionesses and I definitely think they'll win."
Carol agreed: "They've got a target on their back after winning the Euros, people will want to beat them, but I totally agree with Betsy - I think they can go the whole way."