David Beckham, Alex Scott, Ian Wright, Fara Williams, Sky Brown and Rio Ferdinand join Crookes to support today’s England’s EURO 2022 squad reveal.
Singer-songwriter Joy Crookes has teamed up with a host of famous faces to release ‘Our England’, a film that premieres today in celebration of the announcement of England’s final squad for UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.
Three time Brit-nominated Crookes penned the narrative behind ‘Our England’, a film that delivers a message of community and creates a sense of unity as the nation comes together as one football family this summer.
Crookes’ lyrics reflect on the journeys each of the players have travelled to reach this moment in their career, building the sense of excitement and renewed hope that comes ahead of a major tournament.
The film closes with a rallying call to fans up and down the country to come together and get behind ‘Our England’ this summer.
Visually the film tells the story of excitement and new hope that surrounds women’s and girls’ football through the eyes of young aspiring player Rahima, an 11-year-old graduate of The FA’s Weetabix Wildcats programme – a programme designed to give girls the chance to play football for the very first time, to have fun and make friends with other girls their own age. Rahima darts from her bedroom on to the football pitch and into a community clubhouse as we follow her in her pursuit to complete an England sticker book and reveal the squad.
“This summer is set to be special, we’re on home soil and have an incredibly talented squad lining up for us. But, what makes this summer even more significant, is the potential that this tournament and these players hold in inspiring the next generation of female players. Rahima beautifully represents this for me, she embodies the hope, trust and responsibility ahead for this new generation and this new story that is set to be told on and off the pitch for women’s football and I’m totally here for it.”
Former England Women’s International, Alex Scott
On her journey Rahima bumps into names and faces that have helped shape and define the fabric of women’s football today – from the grassroots game right through to the Lionesses’ most capped player, Fara Williams. Rahima closes the story at Wembley Stadium connected by EE where, with the help of former England men’s captain David Beckham, she completes her sticker book and in turn reveals the final 23 names.
Former England internationals Ian Wright, Rio Ferdinand and Alex Scott feature in the film alongside Olympian Sky Brown, BB1 Radio DJ Clara Amfo, comedian Munya Chawawa and creators Amelia Dimoldenberg, Chunkz, Yungfilly, Elz, Francis Bourgeois and Joelah.
Renowned female artist Kelly Anna illustrates the squad names in the final frame of the film, subtitling the squad list with ‘She Shoots, we Score’ – a message that embodies the spirit, passion and collective anticipation that the nation feels as England gets ready to compete.
“It was an absolute honour to be part of this announcement and to be given the opportunity to stand alongside these 23 incredible women as they get ready for the EUROs this summer. Hopefully I’ve been able to capture the true spirit of the team and excite fans across the country to come together and give this squad the support they deserve when the tournament kicks-off in July.”
Joy Crookes
