The 23-year-old Manchester United captain, Le Tissier started playing football at the age of four with St Martin’s. She stayed there until she was 16 when she moved to England.
‘Every single young girl is trying to follow in her footsteps,’ said St Martin’s AC director and first team coach Ben Hunter.
‘It’s opening the door for so many people to try the sport. It can only benefit the island and if we as a football club can offer any pathway to our football then it’s only a good thing.
'She’s done us proud.’
The local club hosted live screenings of all England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches.
‘We opened up the football club for about 20 to 30 people for the final,’ said Mr Hunter.
‘We had some young girls and boys there – full of England kits, face paint and flags. Every time Maya came up on the screen, everyone cheered. It was a great atmosphere.’
Mr Hunter said he has not yet spoken to Le Tissier, who has been on a non-stop itinerary of celebrations following Sunday’s match.
The team have received a rapturous welcome home from crowds, after being met on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, and thousands descended on the streets of London to watch the squad travel through The Mall on board two open-top buses.
‘Hopefully more girls want to be like Maya’
The Guernsey star’s first major tournament with the Lionesses ended with them retaining the trophy in Switzerland on Sunday after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain – who had beaten England to lift the World Cup in 2023.
The impact the Lionesses had on women’s football after their last Euros win was felt around the country with more and more people becoming interested in the sport.
It is hoped their successful title defence – the first major trophy won by an England senior side on foreign soil – will have a similar impact, especially in Guernsey due to Le Tissier’s involvement.
‘Hopefully it will bring some more enthusiasm for the girls, and younger girls wanting to be like the Lionesses,’ said Guernsey FC Women’s manager Anna Gauvain.
‘That’s good for us at GFC.
‘It became a lot more talked about and there was an increase in participation, but also people speaking about the WSL and hearing the players names, girls now have people to look up to rather than just in the Premier League.’
Le Tissier has shown that despite being from Guernsey and facing the challenges that come with that, that there is a way for girls to take the next step.
‘Obviously there are still challenges to overcome and, as with Alex Scott as well, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but Maya has shown that it can be done, and it’s great to see her up there,’ Gauvain said.
Le Tissier’s medal with the Lionesses completed a remarkable Sarnian double after Scott had won the European U21 Championship with England earlier this summer.
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