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The football coach of a 10-year-old whose dream it was to become a Lioness has said the team is “devastated” by news of her being killed in a mudslide.

Leah Harrison died during a school field trip to Carlton Bank forest on the edge of the North York Moors, North Yorkshire.

A major operation involving 30 mountain rescuers was launched to save her, as heavy rain fell in the area, but she could not be saved.

Described as a “go-lucky little girl”, Leah was said to be “obsessed with football” and dreamed of becoming a Lioness.

Her Darlington Football Club coach John Woolnough said the team was “devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Leah”.

He said while Leah had only joined the “family” this season, she had “quickly become a popular member amongst the girls”.

“She was a joy to coach – always smiling and trying her best – and had shown big improvements during her time with us,” the coach said.

As a mark of respect, the club’s Under 11 game this weekend has been postponed.

A minute’s silence will be observed at every other youth match.

Lingfield Education Trust said Leah was a “much loved” pupil at Mount Pleasant School in Darlington.

Nick Blackburn, the trust’s chief executive, said: “The full details are still emerging but this is clearly a heartbreaking tragedy. Leah was a much loved part of our school and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the school staff.

“Counselling is being arranged within the school for pupils and staff. We are all in a state of shock and we would ask that the privacy of the family and the school community is respected while we try to come to terms with what has happened.”

Carlton Adventure
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Carlton Adventure in Carlton-in-Cleveland has suspended all outdoor activities and residential breaks

Mr Blackburn said in an interview with Sky News that Leah was “obsessed with football”, who dreamed of becoming a Lioness, before describing her as “very resilient a girl, she showed real grit and determination in her life”.

Her family described Leah as a “happy, bubbly, go-lucky little girl” and said “God only takes the best”.

“The beautiful smile, the giddy laugh, the silly jokes. You will never ever be forgotten baby girl,” it continued.

“You will achieve your dream and become a player for the Lionesses, spread those wings. May you rest in paradise.”

Shared on Facebook, the family said there are plans for a “balloon release” in a local field at 4pm on Monday.

The family is being supported by specially trained police officers.

Leah Harrison
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It is understood Leah was on a school trip

Denise McGuckin, managing director of Hartlepool Borough Council, which operates Carlton Adventure, said: “We can confirm that a tragic incident occurred during one of the centre’s instructor-led outdoor education forest walks near to Carlton-in-Cleveland yesterday.

“We are utterly devastated and heartbroken and our thoughts are with Leah’s family and friends and all those affected.

“We are working closely with our partner agencies to carry out a full investigation and we are temporarily suspending all outdoor activities and residential breaks managed by the council.

“Whilst the investigation is being carried out it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

Pic: Owen Humphreys/PA
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Carlton Bank near Carlton-in-Cleveland, North Yorkshire. Pic: Owen Humphreys/PA

On Wednesday, North Yorkshire Police said officers were responding to a mudslide which happened at 1.15pm in Carlton-in-Cleveland.

The force said: “We can confirm that one person has sadly died as a result of the incident. Our thoughts are with their family and friends during this difficult time.”

No one else was injured during the incident.

The scene was cordoned off throughout the afternoon and members of the public were asked to avoid the area.

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Prince William posts picture of him as a boy playing football with King to mark Father’s Day

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Prince William posts picture of him as a boy playing football with King to mark Father's Day

Prince William has posted a picture of him and his father, King Charles, playing football to mark Father’s Day.

In the photograph, the young prince smiles as he and the future monarch stand in a garden.

The royal youngster is pictured wearing dungarees and a striped shirt, while Charles looks relaxed in a double-breasted suit jacket.

The picture of the two future kings was taken on 12 June, 1984 in the gardens of Kensington Palace.

Later that same year William would gain a younger brother, with the Duke of Sussex born in September.

As well as marking Father’s Day, the football-themed image is perhaps a nod to England’s opening match in the Euros, which takes place on Sunday night.

Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla .
Pic: PA
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Modern day: Prince William and King Charles on the palace balcony yesterday. Pic: PA

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It comes a day after the pair were involved in the Trooping of the Colour festivities at Buckingham Palace on Saturday.

The Prince of Wales was joined by his wife, Princess Kateher first public appearance since the announcement of her cancer diagnosis.

Also with them were their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the youngest of whom is no stranger to the spotlight at such events.

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England v Serbia: Gareth Southgate tells fans he ‘expects everybody to enjoy the football’ when asked about match security risk

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England v Serbia: Gareth Southgate tells fans he 'expects everybody to enjoy the football' when asked about match security risk

Gareth Southgate has said he “expects everybody to enjoy the football” when asked about the heightened security risk of England’s opening Euros match against Serbia.

The England manager was responding to a question at a pre-match news conference on Saturday about the decision to ramp up security measures for today’s game in Gelsenkirchen.

Asked for his message to supporters, he said: “I expect everybody to enjoy the football.

“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in a lot of tournaments, and travel to tournaments I’ve not been directly involved in.

“They’re great carnivals of football – an opportunity to see a different part of the world and meet people from other parts of the world, have a brilliant time, so I’m sure everybody is coming to do that.”

He added: “I hope the whole of Europe can come together for the brilliant game that we’re involved in and support their team.”

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England-Serbia match ‘high risk’

Officials have designated England’s opening fixture as a “high-risk” event, with fans served lower-alcohol beer in the stadium and banned from drinking in the stands.

More than 300,000 British fans are travelling to Germany for Euro 2024, making it their highest attendance since Euro 2016 in France.

England fans in Gelsenkirchen. England take on Serbia tomorrow in their UEFA Euro 2024 Group C match at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Picture date: Saturday June 15, 2024.
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England fans in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA

Policing the first game has been made more challenging by UEFA asking for the barriers to be removed inside the stadium, with both sides being seated closer together, and two-thirds of tickets going to mixed areas.

Southgate ‘relaxed’ that this is likely his final Euros


Rob Harris

Rob Harris

Sports correspondent

@RobHarris

Entering his fourth tournament as England manager, Gareth Southgate is looking to the future.

There is 20-year-old Jude Bellingham being appointed to the leadership group.

A squad with only half its players retained from the 2022 World Cup.

And the manager himself is looking at a time when the Three Lions dugout is filled by someone else.

“I hate to put pressure on all the coaches,” the 53-year-old said. “But it could be the last tournament for all of them.”
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German police Chief Inspector Christof Burghardt told Sky News previously: “I think it’s a very high-risk game because of the history, because of the hooligans both sides have.

“Serbia has many hooligans. The English guys, with alcohol, they are sometimes very aggressive. So it’s a great job to do this, to prepare, so that hopefully nothing will happen.”

Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters
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Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters

Footballing deaths a ‘great shock’

At the joint news conference with captain Harry Kane on Saturday, Southgate was also asked about the deaths announced today of two footballing figures – former Arsenal and Everton star Kevin Campell and Millwall and Montenegro goalkeeper Matija Sarkic.

Southgate said “both pieces of news were received with shock and great sadness”, acknowledging that the England players who have played with Sarkic are “feeling that even more”.

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic after the final whistle of the Sky Bet Championship match at Ashton Gate 
Pic: PA
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Matija Sarkic. Pic: PA

He recalled playing with Campbell, who died aged 54, at Arsenal, describing him as a “hugely popular man”.

“Kevin was the same age as me… his son has been in our junior pathway as well. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time,” he said.

Ex Everton and Arsenal player Kevin Campbell during the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.
Pic: PA
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Kevin Campbell. Pic: PA

Both men said they are expecting Sunday’s game to be a challenge.

Kane told reporters: “We’re expecting a really tough game.”

Southgate added: “There are a lot of good teams in this tournament and we have to be exceptional to progress, firstly through the group, and then to have the opportunity to go further.”

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Gareth Southgate ‘relaxed’ that this is likely his final Euros

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Gareth Southgate 'relaxed' that this is likely his final Euros

Entering his fourth tournament as England manager, Gareth Southgate is looking to the future.

There is 20-year-old Jude Bellingham being appointed to the leadership group.

A squad with only half its players retained from the 2022 World Cup.

And the manager himself is looking at a time when the Three Lions dugout is filled by someone else.

“I hate to put pressure on all the coaches,” the 53 year old said. “But it could be the last tournament for all of them.

“So this is the world we’re in. I’m probably more relaxed about it because I’ve been to three. I know exactly what it involves, I know the events you have to deal with.”

Events that begin on Sunday night in Gelsenkirchen with their Euro 2024 group opener against Serbia.

It is three years since they went all the way in the competition – reaching the final at Wembley only to lose in the shootout to Italy.

Since then there has been Qatar, where England couldn’t make it to the last-four as they did at the 2018 World Cup – losing the quarter-final to France.

It could be France posing the greatest threat again, although hosts Germany were formidable in the 5-1 humbling of Scotland in the Euros curtain-raiser on Friday night.

Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate (right) at a pre-match news conference in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA
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Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate (right) at a pre-match news conference in Gelsenkirchen. Pic: PA

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What chance is there of a first trophy for England’s men since 1966?

“We’ve earned the right to be, I guess, classed as one of the favourites,” captain Harry Kane said.

“Ultimately, we’re here to win it. And there will be nothing better for us and the nation itself if we do that.”

It would be a first career trophy for Kane whose move to Germany in the last year, to play for Bayern Munich, has unexpectedly not produced silverware for the former Tottenham striker.

“I think winning a major tournament with England would be one of the pinnacles of anyone’s career so that is the aim,” he said.

“For me personally, the trophies haven’t quite happened yet but it just makes me more determined and hungry to go out there and do that.”

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Kane and Southgate talk ahead of first match

And no player scored more goals in Europe last season than Kane – netting 44 times in all competitions.There was an impressive debut season with an England teammate – Bellingham scoring 23 goals for Real Madrid when not even a centre forward and only just out of his teens.

Now the prolific duo are linking up again for their country.

Kane said: “I think we complement each other really well. Whether one of us is dropping deep, the other one running in behind and vice versa.

“So an amazing player to play with. He likes to get in the box, he likes to affect games and score goals, which is always important for an attacking midfielder.

“So I think the more we train with each other, the more we play with each other, hopefully that relationship can get even stronger. But it’s so strong already.”

Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane. Pic: Reuters
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At England’s training session this week. Pic: Reuters

Southgate has also brought Bellingham into the leadership group with Kane, midfielder Declan Rice and defender Kyle Walker.

“There’s a different dynamic to this group,” Southgate said. “There’s a lot of younger players, and I want to make sure that the voices of the younger players, that I’m really in touch with that as well.

“So I don’t want to leave here with any stone unturned. I don’t want to have missed anything.

“And, it’s always important to know what the players are thinking. They have good views. They have good experiences.

“And also, there will be some decisions that I will take without talking to any of them.”

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