SerpApi.Org
It has been quite a summer for Lionesses forward Ella Toone.
There was a trip to Windsor Castle to receive her MBE and then her hen do in Ibiza, which was organised by her England team-mate Alessia Russo. Then she travelled to the United States to watch an England game at the World Cup, took a seat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon and was a spectator at the British Grand Prix. She also married Joe Bunney, a former non-league footballer, with Russo acting as her maid of honour.
If that was not enough to contend with, Toone is now embarking on an unprecedented endeavour. The Manchester United player has stepped in to help save fourth-tier side Chorley Women as part of a first-of-its-kind partnership.
The club’s previous committee was scheduled to step down in May and the club would have been forced to fold without a new leadership team. But, with Toone’s help, a new structure has been agreed – and approved by the Football Association and Women’s Super League. The club will partner with Toone, her ET7 Academy and her creative agency Amicizia Studios.
Toone will take on the role of creative and strategic advisor, with funding driven through commercial opportunities.
Speaking about her new role, Toone said: “It’s about creating opportunities, building something a little different and helping grow the women’s game in communities that deserve investment and belief.
“Football has given me everything, and I want to help create more opportunities for young girls to dream bigger.
“Chorley has an incredible football heritage and a real sense of community. I’m excited to play a part in helping build something that people across the town can be proud of for years to come.”
Chorley Women FC are recognised as one of the founding clubs in English women’s football. Established in 1983, they are one of the longest-standing independent women’s teams in the country. They are also the only club in the top six tiers to be classed as a Community Interest Company by guarantee, meaning they operate as a regulated, non-profit social enterprise rather than a traditional private business.
It means money made from ticket sales, player sponsorships or corporate partnerships goes directly back into player development, training facilities and grass-roots coaching pathways.
The club finished eighth in the Division One North table last season, but Toone’s connection will attract players and potentially help elevate them to new heights.
As part of the partnership, Amicizia Studios, co-founded by Toone, will lead the club’s creative strategy, producing social media content and documentaries with the aim of increasing the club’s profile and attracting new audiences and partners.
The ET7 Academy, which was launched by Toone in 2024 to provide skills camps for girls aged seven to 19 and a full-time scholarship programme for those aged 16 to 19, will also support the club’s wider community strategy. The goal is to create more opportunities for girls through football, education and mentorship programmes, while helping strengthen links between grass-roots football and the women’s game.
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