Ella Toone, an England and Manchester United midfielder, is gearing up for her wedding while carrying the weight of a recent loss. Her father, Nick Toone, died in 2024, leaving a void that she describes as both personal and professional.
Nick Toone was more than a parent; he was a fervent advocate for women's football. He recorded Ella's matches, called her after each game for a debrief, and pushed her to pursue the sport at the highest level.
A Father's Dream Lives On
During the 2022 European Championship final, Nick received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Rather than retreat, Ella returned to training the very next day, stepping onto the Old Trafford pitch as a tribute to the man who had shaped her path.
Her first goal after his death came against West Brom, a moment she dedicated to Nick. The celebration was quiet, a personal acknowledgment of the support he had always provided.
A calf injury forced her to step away from the game, giving her space to process grief with the help of a counsellor. During that period, she leaned on her fiancé, Joe Bunney, who shared her vision of extending Nick's legacy.
Bunney took on the mission that Nick had cherished: establishing the ET7 Academy. The initiative aims to provide young girls in football with opportunities that Nick believed were essential for the sport's future.
Balancing Love, Grief, and the Game
As the wedding day approaches, Toone is determined to keep the ceremony away from football‑related distractions, even though the sport remains a central part of her identity. She acknowledges an ongoing obsession with the game, but sees the wedding as a chance to celebrate life beyond the pitch.
The BBC documentary captures these layers of emotion, offering viewers an intimate look at how personal loss can intertwine with professional ambition, and how love can be translated into tangible impact through new ventures.