Lioness Lauren Hemp proudly flying the flag for Norfolk

Now a European champion with England, Hemp is flying the flag for the county worldwide whilst playing at the highest domestic level with Manchester City at club level.

Hemp was forced to depart Norfolk at a young age to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Via Bristol, she is now one of the most recognisable and talented players in the women’s game.

From training behind Carrow Road to playing in front of a packed-out crowd inside it, Hemp could not be prouder of her local roots – even if she had to depart to achieve her career.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere and to see the crowd made it very special. They were cheering everyone’s names and seeing it packed out was just as good as well. Hopefully we put on a good performance,” Hemp said after the Carrow Road occasion.

“It was extra special for me to come back here to play. I’ve played here once before but it isn’t a regular occurrence so it’s nice to experience that every now and again.

“What an unbelievable occasion it was. If you told me when I was younger that I’d be playing in front of 23,000 people at Carrow Road, I would have snapped your hand off, probably. It’s unbelievable to get to come here and play in my home city.”

Hemp’s journey to stardom is an incredible one. There are countless people along the way who have played a pivotal role in her development.

Ian Thornton, chief executive officer of the Community Sports Foundation, has known Hemp and her family since she was young and beams at pride when discussing her progress.

“We totally respect she’s a Manchester City player but she’s a Norwich fan, she would always come to Carrow Road with her mum and her sister,” Thornton told the FA.  

“We had the opportunity to bring her back here shortly after the Euros. It was an opportunity for her to meet the fans, and for our supporters to thank her and show how proud we were of her. Lauren is quite shy. I took her down to pitch-side and just said ‘please, just walk out ten or 15 metres’.

Lauren Hemp grew up in Norfolk and is a Norwich City fan. (Image: Newsquest)

“She walked out and the entire crowd, almost 30,000 people, just got to their feet and applauded her. It was like, ‘wow, this is a real moment’.”  

Hemp is a quiet unassuming figure. But there is an awareness and pride at the role she has been handed when it comes to representing Norfolk.

Along with Alfie Hewett, double Wimbledon 2024 winner who also hails from Norfolk, Hemp is at the top of her respective sport and a role model for young people in the county about the potential for success.  

“It’s nice to be regarded quite highly around here,” she told this newspaper. “It’s the place where I grew up and it’s so nice to see everyone. Hopefully it inspires a lot of girls and boys to go and play football.

“There are a lot more opportunities around Norwich that girls can go and play, which is amazing.”

Another key person in Hemp’s development is Lydia Bedford, now head coach at Brentford’s U18 side, who recalls the 23-year-old’s development as a young player in Norfolk.

“One of my major memories is Ian phoning me and raving about a goal she had scored,” Bedford said. “He told me that two defenders had come from either side to clear the ball and that she had dived between them and headed it in. There was no fear. Heading is one of her strongest attributes but it doesn’t get mentioned too often. Everyone thinks, speed, pace and left-foot delivery. 

“I would go in and watch her at the Centre of Excellence and then the FA made the decision to change the Pathway programme at the end of that year, which meant Lauren had to go back into grassroots football to play matches. It was a conscious decision to broaden players’ learning and expose talented players to mixed football, ensuring regular and competitive competition, a common strategy across many other European nations.

Lauren Hemp and Alessio Russo on her Carrow Road return. (Image: PA)

"She was going into Year 11 at the time and started playing for North Walsham in a boy’s U16 league. She knew the club well. I made one trip out to see how she was getting on, and she was absolutely flying! Her coach told me she was consistently the best player on the pitch. 

"A stumbling block for girls at that age can be the power and the speed of the boys they’re up against, but that wasn’t a problem for Hempy.”  

With England securing qualification for the Euros again next year, Hemp is hoping to add to her increasing large list on honours – but sitting proudly amongst them is being a true poster girl for Norfolk.