This is why Tooney won’t forget where she's from

In the latest episode of our ‘What Moves Me’ series, presented by Snapdragon, Tooney shares a special insight into her journey so far, taking us back to her home town of Tyldesley in Greater Manchester, where she first developed dreams of representing the Reds.

For Ella, it’s always been United from an early age. It’s the club she’s been a lifelong fan of, and the one she represented as a youngster, learning her trade as part of our Regional Talent Club before joining Blackburn Rovers, where she would go on to start her senior career.

With no women’s first team here as Tooney moved through the youth ranks, she knew she had to go elsewhere to fulfil her aspirations of playing football for a living, but our no.7 says that she had little hesitation in coming home upon the formation of our professional side in 2018.

“My dad was a Bolton Wanderers supporter but I always wanted to wear United kits, my room was Manchester United, everywhere Manchester United, bedding, everything,” Ella recalls in the eight-minute episode, which you can watch above.

“I had every kit, I was obsessed with all the players, Cristiano Ronaldo especially.

“Being in the RTC was an amazing experience. You learnt the United philosophy, the players who have been at United previously and who you watch today are all very technical players because we went over and over and over it in training.

“There was a period where Manchester United didn’t have a women’s team and that’s all I ever knew. It was a difficult period but as soon as I knew Manchester United were bringing a women’s team back, I knew I wanted to come home.”

Over the last seven years, Tooney’s life has changed forever. She’s become an icon for United and England, renowned for scoring big goals on the biggest of stages during a burgeoning era in the women’s game.

The midfielder played an instrumental role in both her club and country winning inaugural women’s major honours, scoring the opening goal of the Lionesses’ triumphant Euro 2022 final against Germany and in our 2024 FA Cup final victory over Spurs, both at Wembley Stadium.

Now, Ella will have her eye on more silverware this summer having been selected in the England squad that will set out to defend their European crown in Switzerland – but trophies aren't the only thing that keeps her striving for more.

Inspiring the next generation is vitally important to the 25-year-old, who has set up the ET7 Academy, an environment for girls between the ages of 8 and 19 to learn the game, develop and aspire to fulfil their own footballing dreams.

It’s something that her dad Nick, who sadly passed away in September, would be incredibly proud of.

“The reason I started the academy was just to give young girls a chance,” says Ella, in her ‘What Moves Me’ episode. “I think it was to catch them young girls who had probably fallen through the net.

“For me, it’s about giving an opportunity for girls to start their journeys and hoping that one day someone who passes through ET7 Academy goes on to fulfil their dreams and plays in the WSL. 

“I know that my dad really wanted me to do it as well, and I know he’ll be proud looking down.

“I still pinch myself now that this is real and I’m walking on to Old Trafford and there’s 50 girls in ET7 Academy that are watching and having the best day ever.”

Watch Ella Toone's What Moves Me episode now.