Transport for London (TfL) hosted a football festival on Saturday 14 September alongside Regent’s Park Youth League and Middlesex FA Pan-Disability League to mark the launch of the London Overground between Euston and Watford Junction, which will become the Lioness line this autumn.
Aspiring young footballers were met by surprise guest former Lioness Ellen Maggs, who spoke with the young players and awarded trophies to the winning teams.
Young players from Middlesex FA Pan-Disability League took part in a special match which was refereed by TfL’s Surekha Griffiths, who was recently crowned FA Grassroots Official of the Year. Surekha won the award for her role in refereeing disability football games, as well as other youth football games.
Seb Dance, the deputy mayor for transport, said: “We’re pleased to be renaming the London Overground lines to make it easier for Londoners to navigate our network. The Lioness line commemorates the England women’s football team’s unforgettable Euros win in 2022, which sparked a step change in attitudes towards women’s football all around the country and changed the football landscape forever.
“It was fantastic to see today’s event bring together young aspiring footballers, to highlight the legacy of the Lionesses trophy, and to celebrate the new name of the London Overground line from Watford to Euston.”
Trish Ashton, director of Rail & Sponsored Services for TfL, said: “It was really moving to see so many young people come together for this special footballing event to mark the London Overground Lioness line, and especially for them to be surprised by a former Lioness.
“The London Overground Lioness line celebrates the achievements of the England women’s national football team, and we hope that when people travel on the line and see girls playing football in their local parks like we’ve seen today that it helps to encourage girls of all age groups to become more involved in sport.”
Image credit: TfL
