Lioness Michelle Agyemang was ‘a coach’s dream’ at high school

Lionesses star Michelle Agyemang has been described as “a coach’s dream” by her former school mentor.

The 19-year-old from South Ockendon, Essex scored 41 seconds into her England senior debut against Belgium, and two crucial equalisers during the knock-out stages of the Euros.

Southend High School for Girls coach April Smith spotted her potential when she was one of about 30 players taking part in lunchtime matches.

She said: “There was just something really special about her, not just from a playing perspective, but a mentality perspective. She always wanted to do more, always worked really hard.”

Ms Smith was working for Leyton Orient on Tuesday when England beat Italy to book a place in Sunday’s Euros final against Spain, and admitted she struggled to focus on work.

“I had my laptop up in the gantry and I let out an almighty scream.

“I probably ran the whole length of a stand when she scored that goal.”

“I’m not surprised at all to see her do as well as she’s done… she’s just got something about her. It’s hard to explain,” she continued.

“You just want to nurture that talent and you want to make sure she goes and plays on the best stages and that’s exactly what she’s doing and she’s taking everything in her stride.

“She’s come from a little place in Essex, so it does make you really proud, just knowing that people will grow up one day… little girls saying they want to go and play like Michelle Agyemang.

“It’s incredible, it’s what every coach wants. She is a coach’s dream.”

Ms Smith said role models in the women’s game were inspiring youngsters to follow in their footsteps.

“Instead of people saying, ‘Oh, I want to go and score a goal like Rooney or Gerrard’, now they’re talking about Ellen White, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo.

“It’s incredible and it just makes me really proud.”