Chloe Kelly’s an England hero – it’s just a bad she couldn’t support Portsmouth like the rest of my family…
Sadly, that side of the family tree is too strongly immersed in QPR to be enticed into being guided by heaven’s light.
Nonetheless, Dave Pooley has long accepted his niece’s footballing persuasion – and is now toasting her elevation into an England sporting icon.
The sports-mad family originally hail from Acton, west London, and boast two former professional cricketers, while Pooley himself was once a team-mate of Blues Hall of Famer Dave Kemp and managed by Dave Bassett.
Now they have an England Women Euro 2022 winner in their midst, following the Manchester City winger Kelly’s decisive extra-time finish amid emotional Wembley scenes.
And with the family last getting together in June for her brother Jamie’s wedding, Pooley cannot wait for the next gathering.
‘To be honest with you, I never thought she would make the squad originally because she had just come back from a cruciate ligament injury.
‘Before the Euros, she’d had two games for Manchester City, coming on as sub in both, so hadn’t played a full game.
‘The injury happened against Birmingham last season when a girl ran straight into her. Initially Chloe didn’t know what the problem was, then, when diagnosed, she was lucky to be put into the care of Andy Williams.
‘It was a long, long journey back and Chloe did get down. Realistically, she probably didn’t think she’d make it for the Euros – but she has grabbed it with both hands.
‘We’re a big family, all supportive of one another, and very sports minded.
‘I’ve been watching Chloe since she was 15 and seen her represent England under-17s, she has always been so talented.
‘This is fantastic for the family.
