Jade konkel- roberts

Morag Pearce (nee Kirkland), 67, from Southampton, lives with husband Gordon. They have two daughters and five grandchildren. Morag Pearce was 10 when she started kicking a football. Five years later

Obsessive, independent and agelessly energetic – England’s most decorated female footballer has made net gains from not fitting the mould. As the Lionesses enter Euro 2025 as defending champions, Lucy Bronze talks about her team’s chances, life after her ADHD and autism diagnoses and why she doesn’t fear her career’s final whistle

The pressure of success may weigh on a wounded England, but debutantes Wales can play without fear, says Simon Barnes

ENGLAND 2007–21

WALES 2010–PRESENT

As the Lionesses prepare to defend their title at the Euros, Radio Times tracked down the real trailblazers of the women’s game, who made their success on the pitch possible. From hosing down in cattle markets to forking out a fortune to play, they reveal the obstacles they overcame for the game they love