English football star Ella Toone has revealed her grief after losing her father, Nick, just days after his birthday and three days before her 60th birthday.
The Manchester United star, 25, posted an emotional tribute to his late father on Instagram yesterday, telling his 742,000 fans that his death had left “a huge hole in my heart that can never be filled”.
Toone, who was part of the England Lionesses squad that won the Euro 2022 and is one of Manchester United’s biggest stars, said she would not have played the game if it had not been for her father’s influence growing up.
She wrote: You’re the biggest reason I’ve achieved what I’ve achieved, playing without you sitting in the stands yelling GO UNITED! will never be the same, but you’ve got the best seat in the house now, Dad, just make sure you remember to bring your glasses for once.
Ella Toone, pictured in April 2022 at England’s game against Northern Ireland, told fans on social media that her father Nick, left, had died earlier this week, three days before her 60th birthday (pictured right: Toone’s mother Karen)
The midfielder called her late father ‘The best father in the world, the best man, my best friend and my best football coach’.
Many of Toone’s fellow Lionesses posted their condolences, including Beth Mead, who lost her mother June to cancer in January 2022.
Mead posted: “The best boy! Thinking of you and the whole family. You will continue to make him proud every day! Love you so much.”
England goalkeeper Mary Earps added: “Sending you all the love in the world, you will always make him proud.”
During the last weeks of her father’s life, Ella celebrated his 25th birthday and posted a family photo saying she had spent it “with the best” (Ella Toone and her father Nick).
The Manchester United star remains one of the biggest stars in women’s football
Toone celebrated her 25th birthday on September 2 by posting a photo of herself with her mother, father and one of her two brothers. The footballer wrote that she had spent it “with the best.”
She added: “If this year has taught me anything, it’s to make more memories, take more pictures, laugh harder, love harder and hug my loved ones tighter.”
This summer, the England and Manchester United star celebrated the triumphs of his old school friend Keely Hodgkinson of the British team.
The couple, who grew up together attending the same school, Fred Longworth High School in Manchester, have kept in touch over the years and constantly encourage each other.
Ella Toone celebrated her childhood friend’s gold medal triumph at this summer’s Olympics – the two sporting sensations attended the same school together in Manchester.
The footballer cheered Keely on as he watched his childhood friend reach the pinnacle of her dreams by crossing the finish line first to win gold for herself and Team GB in Paris.
She recorded a video encouraging her friend, which she then showed to the track star during a post-race interview.
Smiling at the message, the new Olympic gold medalist in the 800 meters was amazed by the video.
Asking the interviewer, “How quickly did you get her to send that?”
“Oh, that’s amazing! Our school is going to be so happy, Ella and I grew up together, she’s two years older than me, but we went to the same school and to see that we’re from the same hometown and we’re on a world level really pushing women’s sport is amazing.”
“She is doing incredibly well and I hope to follow in her footsteps and do great things for women’s sport.”