Footy-mad couple from Ollerton follow England at the Women's Football World Cup

A football-mad couple made a 1,400 mile round trip to watch England in the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup.

Amy White and boyfriend Mark Bullock embarked on the 14-hour drive to Lyon, France, on Monday night.

“There’s something really infectious about the Lionesses campaign,” said Amy.

“If England made it to the World Cup final, we said we would have gone.

“But with Germany being knocked out in the quarter-finals and with England facing USA, we thought that was the game to watch.”

The couple, who live in Ollerton, booked their trip on Sunday evening and set off the following night.

After going through the Euro Tunnel from Folkestone at 3am, the road-tripping couple stopped in Dijon for sightseeing and lunch.

England lost the game 2-1, but Amy said the progress of the team had raised the profile of the game.

She said: “I think it gave a platform for the women’s game to be part of the wider football conversation.

“Brands have put money and time behind the team, and the media have pushed more content then I have ever seen before.

“More people have taken note of the women’s game, which I feel has been successful.”

Amy, a former Nottingham Forest player, now plays her football at Ollerton Town, where her boyfriend Mark coaches.

She believes England’s success will inspire both young and old female players.

“At junior level young girls will have role models to look up to now,” she said.

“It has inspired older players or players that have dropped out the game to put their boots back on too.

“Football is a wonderful game and it’s a tool that can create a positive change within society.”

Amy is nursing an injury, but hopes to return soon.