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Mural of England hero Russo unveiled after Lionesses’ Euros glory

Reporting by Gabriel Morris and Fraser Rogers

A mural of England Lionesses hero and Kent footballer Alessia Russo has been unveiled.

The art has been put up at Bearsted Football Club, where the 26-year-old played before her professional career, to celebrate her team’s victory in the Women’s Euros yesterday (Sunday).

Phoebe and Holly, both seven, say Alessia Russo is an inspiration to them. Picture: KMTV
Phoebe and Holly, both seven, say Alessia Russo is an inspiration to them. Picture: KMTV

Russo, who grew up in Maidstone and went to St Simon Stock Catholic School and East Farleigh Primary School, scored England’s crucial equalising goal against Spain to help take the game to penalties.

The mural is now a source of inspiration for many young girls in the same position she once was, who now believe they can follow in her footsteps.

Two young footballers at the club, Phoebe and Holly, both seven, reflected on Russo’s heroics.

“She was amazing, her goal was amazing, just brilliant,” they said.

“She’s a massive inspiration to us. I would love to be a Lioness like Russo because it’s just amazing to be in front of a crowd performing.

Bearsted Football Club chairman Jamie Houston next to the mural of Alessia Russo. Picture: KMTV
Bearsted Football Club chairman Jamie Houston next to the mural of Alessia Russo. Picture: KMTV

“It feels brilliant to be on the same pitch as Russo once was.”

Bearsted FC chairman Jamie Houston added: “Stories go on and on about how tough she was – she played up a year, she played against boys, and she even scored 76 goals in one season.

“She’s an inspiration to the rest of the girls, giving them hope. Football is not about boys anymore, it’s about girls and boys.

“Before the first Euros, we didn’t have girls’ teams – now we’ve got five.”

The coach of the under-8s, Mark Fuller, also spoke about how big an inspiration Russo has been.

Bearsted Football Club's Mark Fuller. Picture: KMTV
Bearsted Football Club’s Mark Fuller. Picture: KMTV

“Inspiration for the girls is massive,” he said. “To drive them and see their heroes playing on the football pitch and doing it themselves on the pitch is phenomenal.

“My daughter watches football non-stop at home, and it’s a huge inspiration to watch my little daughter play football.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to run this under-8s team.”

The mural is the second featuring Russo to go up in the last year – the first was installed at Lockmeadow entertainment centre.

Maidstone Museum has also referenced Russo in its new local history gallery, where she is featured alongside other notable Maidstonians, such as William Hazlitt and Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake.

Alessia Russo has inspired a generation of young girls in the county. Picture: KMTV
Alessia Russo has inspired a generation of young girls in the county. Picture: KMTV

Russo was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Maidstone by the Mayor of Maidstone earlier this year.

At the time she said: “I will continue to promote women’s football in the area and hopefully I can help and inspire the next generation of Lionesses.”

Speaking about playing football growing up, she said: “I’d play in the yard with the boys, always remembering to bring in trainers as I wasn’t allowed to play in my school shoes because my mum would go nuts because of me ruining my school shoes every week.”

Russo was first scouted by Charlton, and later signed for Arsenal in 2023 following stints at Brighton, Chelsea, and Manchester United.

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