‘When you want something done… ask the WOMEN’: Richard Branson, Shania Twain and even Nicola Sturgeon heap praise on the Lionesses for ending England’s 56-year wait for football to finally ‘come home’

• Lionesses stunning victory won applause from Scottish PM Nicola Sturgeon
• She said: ‘When you want something done (or ‘brought home’) ask the women!’
• Richard Branson, Canadian singer Shania Twain, singer Mel C also praise team 

The Lionesses have made football finally come home, ending England’s 56-year wait to win a major championship. 

Their stunning and historic victory has brought praise from diverse figures like Richard Branson, Canadian singer Shania Twain and even Nicola Sturgeon, who has long campaigned for Scotland to leave the UK. 

The Scottish First Minister congratulated the ‘brilliant Lionesses’ on their stellar triumph against Germany at the UEFA Women’s Championship. 

Referencing the Margaret Thatcher quote if you want something done ask a woman, she said: ‘And [it] just goes to show […] when you want something done (or in England speak, ‘brought home’) ask the women! Many congratulations – well deserved champions!’

Politicians Nigel Farage and Michael Fabricant, Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis, Comedians Omid Djalili and singer Mel C also heaped praise on the women and contrasted them with the men who are are still waiting half decade on from their last Euro and World Cup win. 

England celebrate with the trophy during the UEFA Women’s Euro England 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium

Virgin’s Mr Branson also drew attention to how many countries throughout the world have far to go on women’s rights while

He said: ‘Wow! What a match, what a tournament. A poke in the eye for all those countries that don’t give women equal rights. Congratulations.’

Ms Twain also applauded England, saying: ‘You know these women will have had to fight for respect from the first moment they picked up the ball – Lets f***ing go girls!’

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine also shared a screenshot from a friend explaining how women fifty years after England’s men’s team brought ‘football home’ they said: ‘Oh for heaven’s sake, I’ll fetch it myself.’ 

Comedian and actor Mr Djalili said: ‘The men’s game will learn from women. It’s not just about winning. How you win is where the joy is. 

‘This England team plays with a skill and abandon we wished the men’s team would display more we know they’re capable of. The inspiration of the Lionesses will reverberate.’

Canadian singer Shania Twain also applauded England, saying: ‘You know these women will have had to fight for respect from the first moment they picked up the ball – Lets f***ing go girls!’

Virgin’s Richard Branson (on left) drew attention to how many countries throughout the world have far to go on women’s rights while the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (right) congratulated the ‘brilliant Lionesses’ on their stellar triumph against Germany at the UEFA Women’s Championship.

Conservative MP Mr Fabricant also said on Twitter suggested to leave the men’s team behind and focus know on the women as they ‘brung it home’. 

While former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Mr Farage said: ‘These England Women’s players are so much more decent than most of the men. Not spoilt, capable of speaking properly — and not a stupid haircut in sight! Well done Lionesses.’

Sporty Spice also Tweeted: ‘We did it! Lionesses beyond proud. Inspiring a nation and a generation. Wow! Football came home. The girls sorted it.’ 

But CEO of Women in Sport Stephanie Hilborne OBE told Sky News it’s time ‘society gets its act together on women’s football and women’s sport’.

And she called for more funding from football clubs and the Government so young women and girls inspired by the pride the nation had in the Lionesses during the tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, would not be let down. 

‘We just so excited to see the change we have wanted for so long,’ added Ms  Hilborne. ‘We actually need the top clubs investing in their women. 

‘They are all dreaming now and we can’t let them down like previous generations.’ 

She also talked about how emotional it was for women of her generation who were in ‘tears’ during the final and were alive when the FA banned women from competing for 50 years. 

While former England Women’s defender Fern Whelan says she hopes the ‘appetite’ to watch the women’s football continues. 

‘The appetite up and down the country to get into the stadium was massive and that’s what we want. [..] We need that appetite to continue.’ 

Last night, the Queen said the women would go down in history and be icons of sport.

She said: ‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships.

‘It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.

‘The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.

‘However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.

‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.

‘It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’

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