YEP 29/6/21 Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips' special tribute to late Granny Val in England win over Germany
Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips paid special tribute to his late Granny Val during England's knockout Euros win over Germany.
By Joe Urquhart
The Three Lions midfielder wore boots emblazoned with his
grandma's name on in the 2-0 victory at Wembley stadium.
Granny Val, as she was affectionately known, rose to stardom
among supporters in the club's Take Me Home documentary two seasons ago.
Phillips has always spoken openly about the role she played
in his life both on and off the pitch and United were hit with the sad news of
her passing in February due to Covid.
"She was very caring, she’s very nosey, but she was a
lovely, lovely woman," Phillips said recently.
"She’d be saying ‘don’t let it [his England
performances] get to your head and make sure you do just as well in the next
game’.
"She always listened to it on the radio and then would
ring me five or six times after the game, ask if I’m alright, ask how I played,
if I did something wrong.”
Phillips also posted an emotional tribute on social media at
the time of her death.
"I can't put into words what you are to me and my
family - the absolute Queen of our hearts," he wrote.
"I just know how fortunate I was to have you in my
life, she was an unforgettable person as I’m sure many of you know.
"I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you
and the heartbreak I feel now is incomparable, I’m just glad the world got to
see how much you mean to me, and you got to experience how much of an impact
you made on me and also other people from around the world which is something
you always deserved.
"Rest in peace Gran, you will forever be in my heart. I
love you."
Granny Val played a key role in ensuring her grandson
remained in West Yorkshire after Marcelo Bielsa's side failed to earn promotion
to the Premier League at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Leeds rebuffed interest from top flight outfit Aston Villa
before handing a new deal to the sought-after 'Yorkshire Pirlo'.
She was also one of the first people to be told about
Phillips' debut England call-up under Gareth Southgate last autumn ahead of his
bow against Denmark in the Nations League.
Phillips posted a picture of his special boots in tribute on
social media in the aftermath of England's win over Joachim Löw's side on
Tuesday night.
The Whites academy product has played every minute of the
delayed Euro 2020 tournament so far with the Three Lions back in action on
Saturday night for a quarter-final clash with Sweden or Ukraine.
