At school Keely Hodgkinson was known as ‘mini Ella’, the younger of two sporting starlets.
A bundle of energy, she reminded teachers of a girl two years above at Fred Longworth High, who played football better than the boys.
At Wembley on Sunday evening Ella Toone scored the goal which helped England win the Euros. Two days later Hodgkinson, now a world and Olympic silver medal-winning athlete, took centre stage at the Commonwealth Games.
“We are just two young girls living their dreams,” said Keely, after qualifying easily for Saturday’s 800 metres final. Ella and I went to school together. She was two years older but somehow we ended up getting on really well. I was referred to as the ‘mini Ella’ so we always kept in touch.”
The pair were born a couple of miles apart in Greater Manchester; Toone in Tyldesley, Hodgkinson a short trip up the A577 in neighbouring Atherton.
Their sporting paths would take them in different directions but they remain firm friends and were reunited at last year’s Olympics in the colours of Team GB.
“We were raised about four miles away from each other,” said Hodgkinson. “Ella used to play on our boys football team. She was smoking them, there was absolutely no way she wasn’t going to make it.
“I did play on one team with her, nowhere near as good. But we did some cross countries together and I tended to beat her as that was my forte.
“But she was naturally very good. She’s got a lot of talent.”
That much was clear long before she received a through ball from Keira Walsh just past the hour mark and coolly chipped German goalkeeper Merle Frohms.
“Ella did so well, I thought the Lionesses were absolutely amazing,” said Hodgkinson. “What that’s going to do for women’s football, women’s sport..
“There were all those little girls watching and it was really nice for them to see because before they wouldn’t have had that.”
The focus switches to the athletics track where Hodgkinson is favourite to land her first major championship gold medal.
A near 30,000 capacity crowd packed inside Alexander Stadium long before midday to see her win her heat.
It was just a shame the demand to watch is not matched by a desire from some of the biggest track and field stars to take part.
World 200m champion Shericka Jackson has pulled out, preferring to run for money in Italy on Sunday. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, world 100m champion, is in town - but not to compete, rather to prepare for a Diamond League meet.
The shortfall of athletes has led to Hodgkinson's 800m semi-finals being canned.
Fans must instead wait until Saturday for the eagerly awaited showdown between Hodgkinson, Alex Bell and tartan terror Laura Muir.
