We chatted with the England footballer about her favourite places to play football and the items she never travels without.
8 February 2024
Ella Toone is a name that has rapidly become a household regular over the last few years. The footballer took the world by storm when she scored the opener for the 2022 UEFA Women’s EURO final, before repeating her success in the semi-final for the Women’s World Cup in 2023. The Manchester United player is known for her roaring energy, epic goal scoring, and her iconic two-handed heart World Cup celebration. Below, we chat to the Tyldesley-born footballer about her favourite destinations, top packing tips, and how she looks after her mental health when travelling.
Favourite Spots in Manchester
“I keep going back to SakkuSamba, it’s really nice there. You can order loads of different plates and pick and choose what you want; it’s just gorgeous. Whenever I go out in Manchester, I always go to Albert’s Schloss—it’s really buzzy and has a good vibe. But ONE EIGHT SIX is honestly so cool – it’s got live music and it’s just a proper chilled place, which I love going to.”
Best Work Destination
“I’ve got to say Australia for the World Cup. It’s somewhere I never thought I’d ever visit, on the other side of the world. It was an unbelievable country, and such an amazing place to have a look around.”
Incredible Places in Australia
“It was so cool being in Australia; it’s just somewhere that I never thought I’d get the chance to visit. So it was nice to go out there and see different parts of it, but I think my favourite part was Brisbane. I thought it was so busy and just really cool, and there was a lot of sunshine as well, which always helps.
Most Incredible Stadium
“I think, for me, it’s got to be Wembley Stadium. It blows me away every time I go. The pitch is like a carpet and it’s the home of English football, so it’s a very special stadium for me.”
Favourite Places to Play Football
“There’s a few. I love playing at Wembley, and at Old Trafford as well – it’s the club that I’ve grown up supporting. I get goosebumps every time I step out on Old Trafford. But I also love playing at the local football club where I just used to go all the time with my family and friends. You can’t beat a local club.”
Looking After Mental Health
“I think it’s really important to look after your mental health. It’s crucial to switch off and not think about football too much, but make sure that you’re mentally prepared for the next game. So, I like to go on walks with the dog, and I also have a gym membership where I enjoy the pool, spa, and steam room; it’s really nice to just go there and relax.”
Self-Care when Travelling
“It’s really important to look after yourself when you’re away for a long period of time in tournament football. You’ve got to find things that you enjoy doing. So, for me, I enjoy doing some colouring, which is really therapeutic for me.”
Items Never to Travel Without
“Oh, that’s a tough question! I like to take my colouring book and pens, along with all my Charlotte Tilbury makeup and face care. I love playing cards and board games, so I always make sure to pack those. I also take my Nike tights for recovery after games; they help with delayed onset muscle soreness and aid in quicker recovery.”
Favourite Place in the World
“For me, it’s Ibiza. It brings back so many memories of going every year when I was younger with my Nan and Grandad. Spending time there created a lot of special memories, and I cherish every visit.”
