Our north stars

Girls from Barnsley aim to fire England to Barrow to glory

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG, HOLLIE BONE, LUCY THORNTON

THE Lionesses will be relying on northern grit to fire them to World Cup glory against Nigeria today.

Of the 23-strong squad set for the last 16 showdown this morning, 12 are from the north of England.

Chesterfield-born captain Millie Bright and forward Beth England, from Barnsley, both spent their early careers with Doncaster Rovers Belles, before joining Chelsea.

Beth, who has now joined Tottenham, says her defender friend will stop at nothing to help England make the quarter-finals.

She said: "It's been nice to share my journey with Millie, a fellow northerner. We've been able to achieve so much together on the pitch at different teams.

"She'd run through a brick wall for any of us, so we know she's always there and she's got our back.

England's Rachel Daly from Harrogate, and Sheffield-born Esme Morgan also share Yorkshire roots.