A former youth team coach of footballer Alessia Russo says it was apparent to him she was going to go right to the very top from an early age.

Colin Whitfield initially came across Alessia while he coached brother Giorgio at Bearsted FC and was instantly impressed.

Still only 23, Russo has come a long way since then, signing for Manchester United in 2020 and making her senior England debut that same year.

The Maidstone-born forward shocked the world on Tuesday during England Women’s Euros 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden, as she scored a now famous backheel goal.

Mr Whitfield recalls his early memories of Russo.

"I knew her before I started as her football team coach because I had her brother, Giorgio, playing in my boys team,” said Mr Whitfield on Russo who has another brother, Luca, while Giorgio now plays for Bearsted's first-team.

“She used to come along - supposedly to watch him - but she never did. She would just ask for a ball and then she was in the background, kicking a ball about. That’s all you could hear.

“Once she got to the age of eight, she was old enough to play in my under-10 girls team so she came and played a year in that. She played a year up. She was actually an under-9 but she played in the under-10s.

“She was phenomenal, absolutely.

“You could see from that young age that she was going to go all the way.”

The Lionesses were already 2-0 ahead at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane when Russo was introduced during their semi-final after the restart in front of a crowd of 28,624 against the Swedes.

After Russo had seen an effort from close range saved by Hedvig Lindahl, she chased down the ball and produced a backheel which nutmegged the keeper.

Like so many, Mr Whitfield has watched the incredible piece of skill several times since, ahead of tomorrow's final against Germany at Wembley.

He says plenty of youngsters he is presently coaching have been inspired by the strike, now dubbed “The Russo”.

Mr Whitfield said: “I have watched it several times and I continue to do so.

“I think I was as shocked as anybody else when Alessia did that! Yeah, I’m not sure it has still sunk in.

“We have got some children up on a holiday course at the moment at the ground, they have all been doing backheels... I have never seen so many!

“They are calling it ‘The Russo’.”

Russo spent a season at Bearsted before joining Charlton and has played for Chelsea and Brighton, having also enjoyed a stint in the United States.

But Russo has seemingly never forgotten her roots.

Mr Whitfield said: “She was with me at Bearsted FC for a season and then she went on to Charlton. But it’s nice because she has maintained her links with the club.

“When she finished a season with Charlton, if we were involved in any tournaments, she would try and link back in with the girls and play tournaments with us. It’s been great to watch her.

“I was so pleased when she started playing for Manchester United because that’s the team she supports.

“It was great to see that and to, obviously, see her on the telly now.”

All eyes are on England’s showpiece encounter with old rivals Germany.

“I just hope the occasion doesn’t overwhelm them,” said Mr Whitfield who will be away this weekend and so is hoping to watch the game at a sports bar.

“I’m sure it won’t, I’m sure they will all be fully prepared, ready for the match.

“If they play with the confidence that they have been playing with, then they should go all the way and win it.”

All Russo’s appearances have come off the bench and Mr Whitfield hopes boss Sarina Wiegman sticks with the starting line-up which has got them to this point in the tournament.

He said: “I think, based on her performances, she [Russo] merits a starting position, but I like it the way it is.

“She is in that mindset where she knows she is going to come on, she knows she can change the game, and it’s worked so far so why change it for the final?

“I’d stick with it.”

The final will kick-off at 5pm.