It wasn’t meant to be in the end for England’s Lionesses, but a valiant run to the final of the World Cup down under left the country roaring with pride following Sunday’s tight one-goal defeat to Spain.
Though heartbreakingly denied silverware in the end, what cannot be denied is the massive boost the team’s journey to a second major final in as many years has provided for the women's game in the UK.
Some 14.8 million people tuned in to watch the final at peak viewership, according to rating agency Barb, with an average 13.3 million staying for the entire game.
Though these are solely television figures and are unlikely to include the hordes of Brits crammed into the likes of pubs and beer gardens, the average marks a new UK record for a women’s match.
“This tournament indeed broke records,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said in the wake of Sunday’s final.
“I just hope that worldwide everyone has seen it and people that are responsible now say ok, the women’s game, we have to take it to the next level.”
So in light of the England women’s impressive journey on the pitch and the emergence of some heroines to the limelight, who are the big female names in the boardrooms and on the side-lines of the beautiful game?
Karren Brady – West Ham United
Perhaps most recognisable for her appearances on The BBC’s Apprentice, Karren Brady is likely one of the biggest female names in English football.
Currently vice-chair at West Ham United, alongside serving as a director of the club’s women's team, Brady previously owned Birmingham City.
She had been appointed as the Blues’ managing director at the mere age of 23 in 1993, before selling the club in 2009 following a re-emergence from administration and listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Natalie Portman – Angel City
Across the Atlantic, an unlikely name pops up in actress Natalie Portman, who co-founded Los Angeles-based women’s team Angel City Football Club in 2020.
In fact, Angel City’s ownership roster includes a host of female celebrities with American singer Christina Aguilera, Interstellar-featured actress Jessica Chastain and former tennis world number one Billie Jean King among the club’s extensive list of big-name investors.
Serena Williams is also featured among Angel City’s owners, with husband Alexis Ohanian one of the club’s leading investors.
Alongside this, tennis legend Williams was rumoured to have taken part in bidding for Chelsea last year alongside Lewis Hamilton, before the club was eventually taken over by Todd Boehly.
Kate Upton - Club Nexaca
Among the owners of Mexico’s Club Nexaca are model come actress Kate Upton and Desperate Housewives-featured Eva Longoria.
The pair had been part of a syndicate to buy the club in 2021, alongside ex-German international Mesut Ozil.
Delia Smith – Norwich City
Of course, a list of female investors in football would not be complete without long-serving Norwich City owner Delia Smith.
TV chef Smith's 1996 takeover of Norwich City, alongside husband Michael Wynn-Jones, has seen her preside over the Norfolk side through thick and thin for more than a quarter of a century.
Ciara – Seattle Sounders
Back across the Atlantic, Grammy-award-winning American singer Ciara takes the final spot on the list, having bought into Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders in 2019.
So with interest in the women's game at an all-time high, and a growing list of female investors in the sport to go with it, who will be the next big name to grace the executive boxes of the beautiful game?