ENGLAND’S lionesses kick off their World Cup campaign today.
And their boyfriends and partners – who we are christening the BAPS – will be supporting them. But unlike many WAGS of the 2006 men’s World Cup, such as Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney, the BAPS are not famous. We introduce ten of our Lionesses’ loved ones.
PLAYER: Rachel Daly
BAP: Kristie Mewis
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Winger Kristie, 28, and forward Rachel, 27, live together in the US where they are team-mates at Texan club Houston Dash.
Kristie’s younger sister Samantha has played for the United States’ national team.
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PLAYER: Toni Duggan
BAP: Ashley Dillenger
Toni said Marine Ashley loves going sightseeing in Barcelona – which is perhaps as well as he has to go there to see the 27-year-old forward playing for the Barca team.
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PLAYER: Jill Scott
BAP: Shelly Unitt
Shelly is a community health officer in Walsall, West Mids.
She has been with Manchester City midfielder Jill for almost five years.
Two weeks ago the pair went to Madrid on a break.
Jill, 32, captioned this pic of them together: “Best Company. Lucky Jill.”
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PLAYER: Millie Bright
BAP: Jordan Bird
Millie’s loyal boyfriend Jordan travels with her to away fixtures – and she has been spotted kissing the Surrey golf club assistant on the touchline after a number of games.
Posing with her fella by her side after a game, the smitten 25-year-old Chelsea centre-half posted on Instagram: “This one never fails to amaze me.”
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PLAYER: Jodie Taylor
BAP: Emma Kete
Emma, 31, is a New Zealand football international and has been dating Liverpool-born forward Jodie, 33, for several years.
They live in Australia, where Emma plays for Canberra FC.
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PLAYER: Alex Greenwood
BAP: Jack O’Connell
Alex is a left-back and Jack is a centre-back for Sheffield United.
When Alex joined Manchester United as captain last July, her boyfriend wrote on Instagram: “@alex greenwood22 always doing me proud.”
The two 25-year-old footballers began dating five years ago.
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PLAYER: Steph Houghton
BAP: Stephen Darby
The Lionesses’ captain married former Bradford City full back Stephen, 30, last year – but as we revealed last week, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just six months later.
The Manchester City defender, also 30, considered skipping the World Cup to look after Stephen.
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PLAYER: Lucy Staniforth
BAP: Laura Wilson
Birmingham midfielder Lucy, 26, has ten caps for England while Laura works for Coventry City, helping the club with its youth and community projects.
The couple met in 2016 and have travelled around the world together, visiting Malaysia, Bali, Vietnam and Ibiza.
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PLAYER: Abbie McManus
BAP: Holly Lam-Moores
Holly, 28, was part of Great Britain’s first women’s Olympic handball team in 2012 and scored twice against Russia – despite having a stress fracture of her spine.
She has dated Man City defender Abbie, 26, since 2017
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PLAYER: Leah Williamson
BAP: Mason Childs
Leah, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, and Mason both played for the same kids’ football team.
The Arsenal defender has come a long way since then and is now regarded as a possible successor to England’s skipper Steph Houghton.
Leah and Mason are both 22.
Last year she posted a tribute to her fella’s “love and support” for her on social media.
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PLAYER: Georgia Stanway
BAP: Olly Ashall-Bott
The Manchester City forward, 20, is believed to have started dating Rugby League player Olly Ashall-Bott, 21.
She shared a recent snap on Instagram which appeared to confirm their blossoming romance.
