The Lionesses have achieved so much in the last three years, but behind the scenes in their personal lives, Ella Toone and Beth Mead have faced devastating losses
There were six goal celebrations for England on Sunday, as they delivered the biggest thrashing of the Euros yet. But for two Lionesses, it was a particularly special moment.
When Ella Toone and Beth Mead scored against Wales in the 21st and 72nd minute, both looked, pointed and blew a kiss to the sky. Ella’s dad Nick and Beth’s mum June are no longer cheering their girls on in the stands, after each succumbing to their own battles with cancer. But speaking after their huge win Ella, 25, and Beth, 30, told how they had become united in their grief.
Speaking after the game, Ella from Tyldesley, Greater Manchester said: “I’m so happy for Beth. I was buzzing she got that goal and we both could celebrate to the sky. I’m sure they will be up there with a few pints in their hands watching us.
We have really bonded over such a terrible thing but it’s nice to have someone who has been through it and who understands and who knows exactly what is going on and what is going on in my head as well. We definitely have each other’s backs, we are proud of each other and it’s nice we are constantly talking about them. It’s nice to have someone in the same situation and we know we are doing them proud.”
Ella’s dad Nick died of prostate cancer just days before his 60th birthday last September, while Beth’s mum June died in January 2023 after a battle with ovarian cancer. Beth, who was injured and unable to play in the Australian World Cup that year, told how her mum had asked for the England anthem ‘Sweet Caroline’ to be played at her funeral.
Beth said: “Every time I hear that song when I’m on a football pitch. I look to the spot where she’d be dancing away, and I think of her. Sometimes it makes me feel good. Sometimes it crushes me.” But in the months since their deaths, Beth told how she has been a shoulder for Ella, whose grief is still particularly fresh. For both players, this Euros in Switzerland is the first tournament without their late parents.
Speaking about their tough first game, where England lost to France 2-1, Beth, from Whitby, North Yorks, said: “After the first game we really struggled. You look to the stands for your person who was standing there and they are not there anymore. My mum was the first person I would look for in the stands so I understand what Ella felt in that moment. It’s special to be able to have that moment to think about them and dedicate it to them.
She added: “I’ve been a shoulder to be there for her. There have been moments when she has asked ‘is this normal, does that feel normal, why am I thinking this?’. I’m like ‘it’s completely normal, I’ve been there and I still feel like it now’. We have conversations about it, where she says ‘you talk so easily about it’, but ultimately, I’ve had a little bit longer to process it compared to her and we all deal with it differently and I think she is dealing pretty amazingly with it right now.”
In a heart-wrenching interview following her dad’s death, Ella revealed that her dad had fought cancer for a year without telling her. Before heading to Switzerland, Ella told how her pals had bought her a pillow with her dad’s face on so she can still hug him at the Euros.
Speaking about her loss she said: “Sometimes I think he’s going to come back, like he’s right in the other room waiting for me so he can have a joke or some banter.” But Ella knows her dad will be watching down and ‘buzzing’ for her every time she scores a goal. She said: “My boyfriend told me if a little girl had Toone on the back of her shirt, my dad would go over and say, “I’m Ella Toone’s dad.” I said, “Dad, that’s so embarrassing.” But he was just dead proud.”