The Lionesses have returned to England after delivering the nation’s second-best ever performance at a World Cup.
Fara Williams’ extra-time penalty against Germany on Saturday ensured Mark Sampson’s team would finish third in the tournament in Canada – an achievement only eclipsed by the men’s team in 1966.
It surpassed pre-tournament expectations and also meant England’s women could claim victory over the Germans for the first time in 31 years.
Fans turned out at 7.30am to greet the returning players on Monday, who were all wearing their bronze medals as they touched down at Heathrow airport.
Players were reunited with family members who couldn’t travel to watch them at the World Cup, while others posed for pictures with fans and signed autographs.
Midfielder Jill Scott said the fans’ turnout was “fantastic” and that she hopes the team “can keep inspiring girls to go out and buy boots and get out on the football pitch”.
She added: “Hopefully we can keep going now and get the crowds out, keep the interest going.
“We said we wanted to go away and inspire a nation and hopefully that is what we have done.”
