Lioness superstar Alessia Russo has left a legacy behind for Kent girls to follow after England's emphatic Euros triumph.

The Maidstone-born striker, who made five appearances from the bench and bagged four goals, helped the women's team beat Germany in front of a record-breaking Wembley crowd.

Kent FA's Rebecca Moore praised Alessia and the Lionesses

The 23-year-old's success has now paved the way for other women and girls in the county to lace their boots up and help the women's game evolve.

Alessia waltzed onto the famous turf in the 55th minute, alongside goalscorer and Manchester United teammate Ella Toone, in a historic evening.

Now, less than 24 hours after the famous victory, people across Kent and some of the former East Farleigh Primary School pupil's friends and former teachers have reacted.

Speaking to kmfm, Mary, a former dinner lady at East Farleigh, said: "She was brilliant, she was born with a football on her foot. I went to East Farleigh school and Alessia was in Year 1 or 2 when I got there and Alessia was obsessed by football. She rarely played with the girls.

"She was born to play football. She's made East Farleigh and everyone so proud. My throat is still sore from screaming Russo at the screen yesterday."

Rebecca Moore, women and girl's development officer for Kent FA, was at Wembley last night and said Alessia and her Lioness teammates have kick-started a legacy for females in the sport.

"It's definitely not sunk in. What a moment," she said.

"It was buzzing from about lunchtime – it was absolutely electric.

"You couldn't hear yourself think when we scored our second goal, it was unreal.

"Alessia has been absolutely fantastic throughout the tournament and the legacy she has left behind is so relatable to these girls.

"Local girls are turning up to centres and trying to back heel the ball into the net. There really is an impact there already and that's only going to get stronger and continue.

"She's been absolutely phenomenal and hopefully that raises the profile for Kent and inspires young people to follow her journey."

Ms Moore is now hoping the legacy the women's team have started can carry on after the competition and the game will see the support it deserves.

She added: "I guess it's about seeing the impact of the legacy and what gets left behind now the Euros is over.

"For young women and girls Alessia's journey is so relatable for them and easy for them and now they have so many visible role models they can aspire to be like.

"The people round the game need to support the game. Men need to get involved and be allies in the game. We can't have the growth without them.

"It's important keeping it visible and keeping the interest and keeping people within the elite set-up interested and making sure it filters all the way through."

Former sports minister and MP for Chatham and Aylesford Tracey Crouch was watching last night with excitement and nerves.

At full-time she tweeted: "Omgomgomg!! I'm in bits. Not just for the Lionesses, who were phenomenal, but for every person who believed in women's football long before it was trendy.

"Thank you to them. And thank you to this inspirational squad of superstars, #WEURO2022 champions."

Before adding: "You want a job doing, ask a woman..."

Ryan Jarrett took his young daughter, Daisy, to the final yesterday and described the atmosphere as "electric".

Daisy, a goalkeeper at Soccer Elite, used to play and be coached by the former Bearsted FC striker.

Speaking about the now England legend, she said: "She was such a confident person on the pitch which is good. She was a really lovely person, talkative, and happy to be there."

Dad Ryan added: "It was a great experience, the atmosphere was just incredible.

"I've experienced nothing like that. You'll never forget something like that."

Alessia's former PE teacher Luke Anderson, who taught her during her time at St Simon Stock Catholic School, said he knew she was destined for the top.

Mr Anderson, who Alessia has listed as one of her inspirations, said: "There were many great athletes and sports stars at St Simon Stock, but Alessia was the one individual that really stood out.

"She used to win football matches for us against other schools single handedly. In Year 7 she played for the girls' team and the boys' team and she was the best player in both sides.

"As soon as we saw her in PE lessons, you could tell that she was blessed with so much natural ability.

"She had amazing levels of physical fitness, she was very well co-ordinated, she had brilliant technical ability and was able to learn new skills in a range of different sports so easily we knew that she was destined for great things.

"Despite all of those physical attributes, Alessia consistently demonstrated a fantastic attitude and was always so positive in her approach to PE lessons and school sport.

"Alessia is a great role model for women's football and there is no doubt in my mind that she has inspired thousands of young aspiring girls to get involved in football on the back of her performances at the Euros.

"She is a great ambassador for girls and women's football and a fantastic example to any young up and coming player.

"Alessia has inspired so many girls in the local area and especially at St Simon Stock catholic school including my own daughter.

"She has always been willing to come and support awards evening at her previous schools, support local tournaments and football events.

"She is very appreciative and always remembers her youth football coaches and PE teachers who have helped her along the way."

Following the Lionesses' success the government has announced plans to name grassroots facilities in honour of the team and as part of its £230million investment into grassroots football.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "The Lionesses have enjoyed amazing success in a record breaking tournament – selling out all of their matches, with over half a million fans at games throughout the competition.

"Millions of women and girls have been inspired by the team’s success and honouring their achievements will mean they leave a lasting impression at grassroots facilities across England."

Where in Kent do you think should be named after the Lionesses and Alessia Russo? Email messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk with your suggestions.