Lucy Bronze’s early childhood was spent on the wild, windswept Holy Island, where her grandmother was the caretaker of Lindisfarne Castle. Given that, in a typical year, 650,000 tourists traverse the tidal causeway separating the island from the north Northumberland mainland, it was an important job. Even as a little girl, England’s future right wing-back swiftly learned that the privilege of living in such a magical, mystical, place involved her family shouldering considerable responsibility.
Perhaps it should be no surprise that Bronze grew up to be a custodian. As the most senior Lioness in the squad, she has long served as a key nurturer of England’s ambition.
