Stockport's pride in Man Utd and Man City stars as they play key role in England reaching Euro 2024 final

There is a significant Stockport presence in the England squad that last night booked a place in the Euro 2024 final. Goals from Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins saw Gareth Southgate’s side edge out the Netherlands. 

Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer have all played an important role in England’s path to the final against Spain. Each can credit the Stockport area in having a role in their remarkable footballing journeys.

Foden is the senior out of the three and has been a regular starter through the tournament. Mainoo has become a regular fixture in England’s midfield in Germany and Cole Palmer provided the assist for Watkins to fire the winner in. 

Foden, who is from Edgeley, started playing football for Reddish Vulcans at the age of seven and attended Bridge Hall Primary and Stockport Academy. Mainoo, from Cheadle Hulme, began his career at Cheadle & Gatley Junior Football Club and went to Cheadle Catholic Infants and Juniors and St James High School.

Palmer once called Foden a team mate at Manchester City before moving to Chelsea last summer. Palmer was a part of the City youth set up at the age of seven having attended Gatley Primary School.

Following the 2-1 win against the Netherlands, Stockport Council’s leader, Cllr Mark Hunter, spoke of how the success of the three has brought great pride to the town. 

He said: “We may be slightly biased but we believe that Stockport is a very special place to produce talent such as Stockport's very own three lions in Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, who are on the verge of sporting greatness and looking towards success over Spain in the final on Sunday.

"Stockport is incredibly proud of all of its hometown heroes and has championed Phil Foden for a number of years, so we're delighted to see Kobbie and Cole join Phil in becoming yet another alumni of Stockport to become an England international. We wish our young three lions and the rest of the England team the very best for Sunday - Stockport is behind you!"