Greenwood mural to inspire the future
"It's a real honour and if I can inspire just one girl from Bootle to play football then I feel like my job is done!"
That is the message from Bootle Lioness and England Women's Footballer Alex Greenwood as she officially unveiled a huge mural honouring her successes.
The 29-year-old Euro 2022 winning Lioness said she was extremely proud to have a mural commemorating her sporting successes painted onto the front of 320 Stanley Road in Bootle, thanks to joint funding from Sefton Council and REPT Sports.
At the official unveiling, crowds of youngsters gathered alongside Alex's family and national media to view the mural, painted by artist John Culhsaw.
While all eyes are now on the 22ft mural, Alex is keen to use it as an opportunity to push for greater support for young girls in sport.
Alex added: "It's a real honour to have this mural and if I can inspire just one girl from Bootle to play football then I feel like I have done my job!
"I used to walk up and down this street as a kid and it's fantastic to know young girls and boys will walk past [the mural] and hopefully be inspired.
"I've seen a massive shift in mentality towards female sport and women's football since the Euros.
"As a collective, we are going to keep asking questions of those higher up and demand more opportunities for little girls and boys in the future.
"I really hope there's another young girl standing here in however many years to come telling the same story."
The mural sits pride of place on the busy Bootle town centre thoroughfare and be seen by thousands of schoolchildren, shoppers and commuters every day.
Alex, a former St Monica's and Savio Salesian pupil, has remained true to her hometown roots and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women and girls football within Sefton, ensuring she takes time out of her busy footballing career to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout the borough.
Alex said: "I would like to thank Sefton Council for this mural.
"It's really important for me to be able to send a message to young girls in my area that anything is possible.
"Many of the dreams I had while walking the streets of Bootle and playing on the pitches have come true through hard work and perseverance.
"Characteristics that were formed in Bootle."
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: "Alex has always been an inspiration to our sporting youngsters and we were over the moon when she, along with the other amazing Lionesses, brought home the European Championship.
"To be able to honour Alex in this way with a permanent mural in the heart of her hometown is fantastic and I know that the thousands of schoolchildren who will pass by it every day will be inspired just by seeing it.
"I want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alex's hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the world's best female footballers. Her progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton."
Popular Liverpool artist John Culshaw, who rose to fame with his incredible murals of Ringo Starr in Toxteth and Mo Salah in Anfield, designed and painted Alex's mural.
John said: "It was a real honour to be asked to create this mural.
"I think we have a way of getting behind our stars in Liverpool and for a Bootle girl to bring home our nation's first piece of international silverware in 56 years is definitely something to be celebrated!
"What better way to show how proud we are than to have this mural in Alex's hometown."
Sefton Council, through its Active Sefton team and continued work with sports partners, strives to actively promote, support and improve football facilities in the borough to allow future generations the opportunity and access to the beautiful game.
