Ella Tone: Lions and Man United midfielder on grief, football and wedding

Fiance Joe Boone, who Toney said she hadn’t spent the past two years with, was a “rock” to her family, as well as his own grief to a man Toney described as “the best.”

The pair were so close that Boone saw Nick’s dream of creating a women’s football academy when the former Rochdale player’s own career ends in 2025.

Boone played for various lower league clubs after his career at Bolton Wanderers.

“I was coming to the end of my career, because I had a little more time: I will put all my eggs in this basket and try to do something,” I said.

They’ve set up an ET7 academy, which Toone says when he comes to watch, “standards want to go through the roof.”

“Nick loved seeing these young girls come up and play soccer. Elan’s life seems to be growing again,” Boone added. “That’s where my interest came from.”

Tone said he’s “really proud” of his fiancee and “sacrifices a lot.”

“Even though the academy was very stressful, we bought it together,” she added. “I think the hard work is unknown, but certainly not by me.

“Founding the academy is part of my father’s legacy. He loved being a part of something he knew would help young girls have opportunities.”