ENGLAND Women’s World Cup aces are already enjoying their new status as sporting stars after being invited into the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
When Phil Neville’s squad flew out to France last month they could easily walk down the street without anyone knowing who they were.
But after going so close to reaching the World Cup final, the Lionesses have returned as star names and held court with tennis royalty.
Neville and his players served up some treats during the tournament and back in SW19, the All-England Club made a point of clearing their VIP area to house as many of the Lionesses as possible on Ladies’ Singles quarter-final day.
Boss Neville was joined in the Royal Box by wife Julie and 11 of the squad who played so well in France before finishing in fourth place.
Striker Toni Duggan and newly-retired Karen Carney were among the guests of honour on Centre Court for Serena Williams’ match against unseeded Alison Riske.
They were joined by Abbie McManus, Jade Moore, Jill Scott and Lucy Staniforth as they got set to cheer on Jo Konta in her last-eight match against Barbora Strycova later in the day.
And in a boost to their viewing plans, there was also the chance to watch Williams in mixed doubles action with Andy Murray as the third match on Centre in a packed day of tennis.
Completing the 11 players in attendance were Georgia Stanway, Demi Stokes, Jodie Taylor, Carly Telford and Leah Williamson.
The Lionesses went to France believing they could make a racket and be crowned world champions for the first time.
Neville’s side impressed with a series of good displays, but ultimately came unstuck in the semi-final when they suffered a 2-1 defeat by eventual champions USA.
That match saw them cruelly denied by the tightest of offside decisions and an equalising goal through Ellen White which would have taken the tie to extra-time.
But in a mark of how popular they had become, omore than 11 million viewers tuned in to watch the match – the biggest figures for any TV show this year.
