A young football fan was left speechless after her Lioness hero turned up in her garden and gave her an England top.
Lily Turner, 10, was having a kickabout with her brother Charlie, 8, when England footballer Lauren Hemp walked in, fresh from a hometown celebration in North Walsham Market Place.
Earlier that day, Hemp had cut the ribbon on a Sanders bus named in her honour and spent hours signing autographs for fans.
But she saved one final surprise for Lily, who plays in the same winger position for North Walsham Town under-11s.
Her dad, Lewis Turner, had secretly arranged the visit with Hemp's parents.
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"The under-11s had a friendly on Saturday and I invited Lauren to come down and watch, but she couldn't make it, unfortunately," said Mr Turner.
“So that’s what we did, and the look on her face said it all.”
Lily was gifted a signed match-worn shirt from England’s 4-0 win over the Netherlands at the Euros on July 9, along with an official tournament football.
The lucky youngster had already been chosen earlier in the summer to watch the Lionesses train at St George’s Park, and owns another of Hemp's match-worn shirts from a 2023 fixture against China.
“She was brilliant,” said Mr Turner. “Lily just kept firing questions at her."
The family hopes the story will help raise the profile of North Walsham Town Football Club, which is actively recruiting more players and coaches.
“Women’s football has exploded,” Mr Turner said.
“But we’re always looking for more girls to come through the club.”
Continuing the celebrations, Hemp will be presented to the crowd before Norwich City's Championship opener against Millwall on Saturday.
