One of the most famous anthems in football has been rewritten in support of the England team heading to the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
The reworked song, Three Lionesses, is part of a large push to encourage the public to get behind the women’s team at the tournament, which kicks off in France on June 7.
David Baddiel and Frank Skinner’s 1996 song Three Lions has been chanted at England games since it was first released for the men’s team campaign in the European championship hosted in England that year.
The original song, which is also known as Football’s Coming Home, took the country by storm again last year when Gareth Southgate’s men reached the men’s World Cup semi-final in Russia.
The song has now been reworked in support of Phil Neville’s team, whose first World Cup 2019 game comes against Scotland on June 9.
The reworked effort includes the lyrics: “They’ve said it all before, they just know, they’re so sure, that we don’t have the skill in their eyes. Well, we’re tired of the lies, because we all play for three lions on a shirt.
“Same pride, same meaning. And all those years of hurt never stopped us dreaming.
“So many jokes so many sneers, all those ‘well done girls’ wear you down through the years.”
Meanwhile, the names of Gary Lineker, Nobby Stiles and Bobby Moore have been swapped for stars of the women’s team such as Steph Houghton and Jordan Nobbs.
Claire Keaveny, head of marketing at Lucozade Sport, who commissioned the new version, said: “Arguably Three Lions is the most iconic England song so we’re proud to be able to give it a Lionesses twist in support of the team and the women’s game in general.”
Nobbs confirmed the players loved the modified song, saying: ““I know the players love the Three Lionesses track and I hope it inspires the team to World Cup glory.
“This is an incredible time for women’s football as awareness and popularity continues to grow.”