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| The England superfan who spends thousands supporting Lionesses | The England superfan who spends thousands supporting Lionesses |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Zoe Bleach says she spends more than £4,000 a year supporting the Lionesses | Zoe Bleach says she spends more than £4,000 a year supporting the Lionesses |
| A Lioness superfan says she spends thousands of pounds supporting the England women's national team. | A Lioness superfan says she spends thousands of pounds supporting the England women's national team. |
| Zoe Bleach, from Gravesend in Kent, has travelled around the world to watch her favourite footballers – and even built a Lioness-themed pub in her back garden. | Zoe Bleach, from Gravesend in Kent, has travelled around the world to watch her favourite footballers – and even built a Lioness-themed pub in her back garden. |
| "I don't regret a single penny I've spent supporting the Lionesses," said Mrs Bleach, ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden on Thursday. | "I don't regret a single penny I've spent supporting the Lionesses," said Mrs Bleach, ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden on Thursday. |
| The 42-year-old said while she had been a football fan since the age of two, the Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022 "catapulted women's football in this country into the stratosphere". | The 42-year-old said while she had been a football fan since the age of two, the Lionesses winning the Euros in 2022 "catapulted women's football in this country into the stratosphere". |
| She added: "I have watched both the men's and women's for years, but to be able to watch women's football on mainstream channels feels very special. This is what I wanted since I was 15." | She added: "I have watched both the men's and women's for years, but to be able to watch women's football on mainstream channels feels very special. This is what I wanted since I was 15." |
| Zoe Bleach built a Lioness-themed pub in her garden in Gravesend | Zoe Bleach built a Lioness-themed pub in her garden in Gravesend |
| Mrs Bleach, a sports physiotherapist, said she previously coached an 11-year-old Chloe Kelly at the Middlesex Centre for Excellence. | Mrs Bleach, a sports physiotherapist, said she previously coached an 11-year-old Chloe Kelly at the Middlesex Centre for Excellence. |
| She said she was proud that the formerly "quiet and shy" girl was now an inspiration for millions as a striker for both Arsenal and England. | She said she was proud that the formerly "quiet and shy" girl was now an inspiration for millions as a striker for both Arsenal and England. |
| "She wouldn't say boo to a goose," Mrs Bleach said. "I wouldn't have looked at her then and said she would be who she is today. | "She wouldn't say boo to a goose," Mrs Bleach said. "I wouldn't have looked at her then and said she would be who she is today. |
| "It's not handed to any of the girls on a plate, so they deserve it all the more." | "It's not handed to any of the girls on a plate, so they deserve it all the more." |
| Zoe Bleach's Lioness-themed pub features England memorabilia | Zoe Bleach's Lioness-themed pub features England memorabilia |
| Mrs Bleach says she also uses 10 days of annual leave a year to pursue her passion. | Mrs Bleach says she also uses 10 days of annual leave a year to pursue her passion. |
| In 2003, she travelled to the US to watch the Lionesses and meet her idol Kelly Smith. | In 2003, she travelled to the US to watch the Lionesses and meet her idol Kelly Smith. |
| She and her wife Elizabeth also spent five months building a £3,000 pub in their garden - The Lionesses Den - to watch the Women's World Cup in 2023, and a further £1,000 on memorabilia. | She and her wife Elizabeth also spent five months building a £3,000 pub in their garden - The Lionesses Den - to watch the Women's World Cup in 2023, and a further £1,000 on memorabilia. |
| "When there's big tournaments, I look at the schedule and book annual leave right up to the final, in the hope they get there," Mrs Bleach said. | "When there's big tournaments, I look at the schedule and book annual leave right up to the final, in the hope they get there," Mrs Bleach said. |
| She said she also booked tickets to most matches during Euro 2022, including the final. | |
| England face Sweden in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro at 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC1. | England face Sweden in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro at 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC1. |
| Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. | Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. |