CLASS ACTS

Former teachers of Lionesses so proud of World Cup heroes

- CHRIS SLATER

THEY are the nation's heroes, on the cusp of World Cup glory.

And now the proud teachers of the Lionesses, who nurtured their talent from the beginning, have opened up on how it feels to see their former pupils make history.

England take on Spain in the showpiece in final in Sydney, Australia morning. Three of the squad - Keira Walsh, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem were born and raised in the region whilst Georgia Stanway, from Cumbria, and Ellie Roebuck, from Sheffield, moved here as teenagers and went to college here.

Barcelona midfielder Keira was born in Syke, Rochdale where she lived with parents Peter and Tracy. She attended Haslingden High School and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School Sixth Form, both in Rossendale.

She was then enrolled at St Bede's College in Whalley Range when she  joined her beloved City in 2014 aged 17. The Blues have a relationship with the school and send many of their academy players there.