Joy, pride and hope after Euro 2022 glory in the Manchester suburb where one Lioness has won locals' hearts... by selling coffee

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Football fans old and new have been left awe-stuck by England's newly-crowned European champions. Manchester erupted with joy as the Lionesses defeated Germany 2-1 on Sunday (July 31) while the whole country burst with pride.

Yet for one corner of Manchester, the win was even more special. Nestled along Northenden's bustling high street, Palatine Road, is Boxx2Boxx Coffee - a café owned by England star Jill Scott and her partner Shelly Unitt.

The business has only been open since last year but has already seen Jill become a hugely popular figure in the community. The 35-year-old, who grew up in Sunderland and played for Manchester City for nine years, earned her 161st England cap in the Euro 2022 final on Sunday (July 31).

READ MORE: The off-the-pitch lives and loves of England's amazing Lionesses

For locals in Northenden, there was delight to see Jill and the rest of the team succeed where no other England team has been able to for 56 years - male or female. "It's the greatest thing since sliced bread," announced a beaming Sandy Latham, 78.

"It's absolutely wonderful. I'm so proud to be part of Northenden. I didn't know one end of a football to the other before, but I do now."

Sandy and David Latham, also 78, are big fans of Jill and Boxx2Boxx Coffee. Sandy credits the arrival of the café for building up her interest in football, while the couple also have a friend whose daughter has begun a scholarship in the game in the USA.

"I thought [the Lionesses] were brilliant," said David. "When Jill Scott came on we couldn't believe it."

Along Palatine Road, almost all locals the Manchester Evening News spoke to had watched Sunday's final, and most knew about Jill's café. It's a regular meeting spot for other stars