The FIFA Women's World Cup is in full swing, with England's female footballers heading to the knockout stage, after scoring eight times and winning all three games.

And as we look forward to England's last 16 match with Nigeria on Monday, why not learn some local facts about women's football and Macclesfield?

Here are Macclesfield's three connections to the FIFA Women's World Cup...

Izzy Christiansen

(Image - CC 4.0 Granada https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20171004_UWCL_SKN-MCW_StPoelten_850_1183.jpg Unchanged)

Izzy Christian grew up in Bollington, and would play football with her brothers and friends until dark.

She played in both the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, the latter of which saw her help guide England to a fourth place finish.

She played in and started every match in the 2008 U-17 tournament barring the third-place play-off. The midfielder even scored a last minute-equaliser against Japan, in a game that England would go on to win on penalties.

The Macclesfield-born pro footballer used to work at the old Maggoty Johnson bistro (now the Lime Tree) in Bollington on High Street.

Unfortunately, she never played in a women's senior World Cup tournament. She made her England debut just twi months after the 2015 Women's World Cup ended.

And while she did play in the 2017 European Championships, an ankle injury left her out of the 2019 Women's World Cup where England finished fourth. She did not make the squad for the 2022 Euros, which England won.

And while she was playing up until this year, the Maxonian announced her retirement from professional football at the end of this season, so she was not included in Sarina Wiegman's 2023 World Cup England squad.

Izzy Christiansen can be heard talking about the tournament on Australian broadcaster Optus Sport, and she's also a regular pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Katie Zelem

(Image - CC 2.0 Unchanged https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-228_(52426071052)_(cropped).jpg)

Katie Zelem, who played superbly in England's 6-1 World Cup victory over China today, has a Macclesfield connection.

While the midfielder was born in Oldham, a few years before she was born her dad was a big name in Macclesfield.

Alan Zelem was the man between the sticks for Macclesfield Town FC. The goalie was part of the Silkmen's 1986-87 treble year, and was later named player of the season in the 1989-90 Conference season.

Veteran Silks fans will also tell you that Alan played in goal for Macclesfield Town in the FA Trophy final at the old Wembley Stadium, where Macc unfortunately lost 1-0 to Telford. This was in 1989, seven years before Katie was born.

Ella Toone

(Image - James Boyes from UK CC 2.0 Unchanged https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ella_Toone_Eng_Women_0_Czech_Rep_0_11_10_2022-606_(52427098388).jpg)

Another member of the current England FIFA Women's World Cup squad has a Macclesfield connection.

Midfielder Ella Toone may be one of the most famous female footballers in the country, but her partner will be in the recent memory of many Macclesfield football fans.

The Manchester United midfielder, who also played today for England against China, is in a relationship with ex-Macclesfield FC player Joe Bunney.

Ella Toone's partner Joe Bunney signed for Macclesfield FC last summer. (Image - Macclesfield FC / @thesilkmen)

Joe Bunney made 17 appearances for Macclesfield FC over the season that has just finished. He scored twice for our town's new football club, but that wasn't enough to keep him in Macc, as he left Silktown to sign for Staleybridge Celtic last month.

Toone went to see Macclesfield FC's victory against City of Liverpool FC last year, fresh after winning the Euros with England, when she became a household name.

And that was Macclesfield's three connections to the FIFA Women's World Cup! Why not use these facts to impress your family and friends for England's next match?

Girls and women in Macclesfield can get inspired by the tournament, and join club across the town like Tytherington Juniors, Bollington United and Macc Town Ladies.

Click the link below to enter a Macclesfield Nub News competition to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup.

See Also: FREE World Cup Co-op hamper for Macclesfield Nub News readers

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