Rach’s Wedding, WSL Returns & Georgia Stanway Transfer Rumours

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2:01Hello everybody, welcome back to Daily Brightness. We've had a lovely break. I know you've all missed us loads, but we are finally back. Lots to chat about. But firstly, Rach, how are you? It's been a while. It has been a while because I feel like we've had quite a bit of nice time together recently. Yeah. Yeah, it's weird. No, I'm not seeing you. It's been a while on the pod, but not been a while for us in person. We've actually spent loads of time together, which has been refreshing. Yeah, Christmas was nice. It was super chill, which is what I needed, obviously, going into a busy back end of Christmas period.

2:34You were at home. How nice was that? Were there snowballs? Yeah, I had a lot of snowballs. I did They're just like My dad has them on like a little Like a rotator belt And it's like Oh glass is nearly empty Next one's on its way But no it was It was so nice I was working out with my dad Because we have like A little bit of a Like a Christmas Eve ritual Where ever since we've been little We always go up to Mam Tour And we like walk up the We go right to the top of Like the hill And then we stand on the little Platform at the top But it's so windy Like it's freezing And we take all the dogs All the kids Like we've done it since we were little So now we've started doing it With Vin and Harvey and Albie.

3:10So we did that and I was like, God, it's been like seven years since I did this. Because obviously normally I've been having it at mine or wherever. I've not actually been at home for Christmas. Like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So it was so nice. Like my nan and granddad like seeing them, going out for food. Like just doing all the stuff that I did when I was little. Yeah, it's just been real. I feel like I really, really needed that. And waking up like in the new my mum and dad's new house on the farm and like straight away just going out and been at the stables and with the horses and stuff and everyone was like, oh, you were backing your element.

3:44I was like, yeah, I know. And now I miss it so much, but it was honestly amazing just getting to see everyone, but it went really quick, like too quick. I know, it really did. It like flew by. Went back into training the other day and I was just like, I feel like I've not left. I know. I was like, where's my break gone? But when I was off, it was like luxury because obviously I had family time. Then obviously I had time with you, which was the best. I think that was the best two days of my 2025. Like literally the best two days ever. It was unforgettable. So yeah, it's been good. But yeah, it's also nice to be back training and games are in full swing now.

4:23I like that this year, how it's just gone like pretty much straight into games. Yeah, I hate the build up. Same. Right, before we get on to returning to football, everyone's been dying to know the best part of 2025 was my besties wedding so I feel like it's only fair we give a little insight there's a lot of funny moments actually there was a lot of funny moments so the night before the wedding we we get all our immediate family together all the bridesmaids from both sides and just have some people hadn't met had they so no it was nice to sort of do like a little bit of an introduction to everyone and have some food have some drinks and just get married really, wasn't it?

5:05That was really nice. I think it was probably one of the best things that we could have chose to do, I think. Yeah, like a little icebreaker, weren't it? Yeah, everyone had a really nice time apart from I woke up incredibly. Should we tell them best? Should we tell them? Should we tell them? We've got to tell them. Tell you, tell them. Right, so night before, obviously they say getting married is the biggest day of your life, the best day of your life. Obviously you have some little jitters and a little bit nervous, excited, a lot of different emotions. And so the night before, we had a lovely evening, really, really nice.

5:39We all went to bed happy, maybe a little bit later than we should have done, but we had a great time. I wouldn't recommend that. I think I had about four hours sleep. And then next day, I set my alarm for half past five, right? Because obviously we had hair and makeup coming too. Hair and makeup for six. Six o 'clock was the first bridesmaid. Yeah, Rae sent a message. Who's going to be first? I went, I'll go first because I was already getting like my OCD and anxious. And I was like, right, everyone needs to be ready. Everything needs to be set. If there's any emergencies, I'll be on hand. My alarm went off at 5.30.

6:10Bear in mind, I was already pretty much awake because I'm so like, you get like that, don't you? When you know you've got to be up and basically awake. Don't you're scared that you're going to miss your alarm. 5.35, no joke. I think I just put my two feet out of bed and touched the floor. 5.35, bestie, SOS, need you now. so obviously what do you do you you bridesmaid and you know i'm in charge of everything got to make sure everything's ready i shoved all my stuff in a bag shoved it all in i've not even got i chuck my tracksuit on i'm literally in my slippers as well uh scurried off to rachel's apartment took me about five minutes to get over there i was in her apartment at 5 45 i said run the damn bath we need a sos bestie moment so on rachel's wedding day at 5 50 we're in the bath having a little therapy session the door's shut we're having a chit chat we're just calming down we're relaxing and people are coming in and out the door and me and you were just locked in the bathroom yeah we were just locked in the bathroom obviously we were all getting ready in sarah and rachel's room that her and makeup were there so we just really had like do you know what though that's like one of my favorite moments like our moment yeah like and it really reminded me of the moment when we were at the euros and we were like oh my god like we could win like be european champions yeah when we're 10 years time with our kids we'll be like oh your mummies did this and i was like that was like one of the moments where i was like it was just us two together and the world was quiet like no one else yeah like mad we were just like in our little heads doing crazy stuff we were like holy shit rage you're getting married today i was like i need to go for a walk i need to go for a walk i need to go for a talk myself often i just went on my on my lone soul like a lone soldier.

7:48I said, listen, put your coat on, off you pop. I think Sarah thought I was going to do a runner, to be honest. But yeah, that was the night before, wasn't it? And then the day was just amazing. It was so good, wasn't it? So beautiful. I think you honestly got all the details spot on, like the amount of people, the people that were there, the venue, the layout, like everything. I literally was, I remember, and I've got a video, and you can hear on the video, I go from laughing to crying, to laughing to crying to laughing to crying video it's the last song we're used to on the balcony oh yeah everyone so just to set the scene the the everyone's on the dance floor and sarah and rachel on like this balcony they were looking at everyone it was the final song of the night and i was still right at the back and i was videoing and i'm crying then i'm like giggling to myself then i'm sobbing again then i'm giggling then i was sobbing but that was me up until even walking down the aisle like to see and then as soon as I sat down I was like like my eyes were going I was like no my makeup my lashes are gonna drop out but it was it was really really like emotional but it was such like a proud yeah I think that like nothing like nothing went wrong did it like everything was just like fell into place I like to say that's because I because of my planning but yeah who needs a wedding planner you're doing mine when I eventually get married one day if I ever do you know you go to some people's weddings and everyone has their own different style don't know their own different tastes like what they want it to be like mine was like party i want it to be really cute and like the dress the venue'd be dressed nicely and it all like looked nice and there's obviously like little details but i was like i want a good party and it was a good party on it it was honestly the best it was the best two days of my life from the night before to the day to the evening like it was it was honestly just the best and just you know when you stand back and you see everyone dancing and i love seeing people happy for people that is my biggest thing in life like seeing other people happy for you was like such like a nice moment i love stuff like that i love when other people cheer people on you don't often very rarely would you get those those people in one room together at the same time and it's like all of your people yeah barring one or two you know some people can't come or whatever you know things happen but like when i look around the room and i'm like they're all my people like they're all sarah's people like they're all just like people that are just rooting for you they're just happy for you exactly and that was a really nice feeling i think because i mean i don't like it when all the attention's on me but it was people celebrating me and it was sarah and it was just it was a really really nice day biggest moment of one of the biggest moments in your life and people should be rooting for you and people should do you know what i mean it's one of them days where and i said this to you i think i texted to you and i said you can be whatever you want on that day leading up to that day you can be a brat you can be worried, you can be crying, you can be bossy, you can tell me to do this, do that.

10:37I was like, this is your free reign to be, like it's our jobs to make sure the day goes smoothly for you. But it honestly was like to a T, everything was like perfect. I've honestly never had such a good time in my life. And changing into my trainers was the best part. As soon as all the pictures were over, I said, right, get him back upstairs, I've got me. You got your dress straps down and your trainers up. Yeah, because my bridesmaids dressed my straps around. And I said, well, I can't do much dancing in this and I can't do worm in that. So yes, I did do the worm, everybody. Correct, I did.

11:07And bested out with my best one. Yeah, weren't it? It was a good one. I did it on the hen do as well. That was a good one too, but that was the best one at the wedding. But I took my straps out. I just unhooked my arms. I was free as a bird, living my best life. Put my trainers on. I was in. I wish we had like a video of the whole day, like the whole day before the whole day, like to relive it all. But no, it was amazing, wasn't it? I'm glad you loved it as much as I did. Do you know one of the funniest moments, me having to put those damn white gloves on to sort your dresses out. I just got a picture of that.

11:37So guys, obviously they've got two, like the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. You both look like stunning, like out of this world. And I'm so anxious because they were having the pictures done thinking, well, no one's stepping in to like rearrange the dress. So then I was like, hold there. What was he called? The guy, was it Pete? Pete, yeah. Pete, I was like, Pete, mate, just wait a sec. Let me just rearrange. So I was like sorting all the dress out. But I had to put these white gloves on because I was like, if I get anything on these dresses, I'll never forgive myself. but it was just hilarious.

12:03I'm in my bridesmaid dress already done up to go and I've got these white gloves on just rearranging. Like Michael Jackson. I just saw you sitting on the toilet in your dress. I was thinking about it the other day because I scrolled up and put my picture. Obviously, right, I'm wearing a really long dress. And I went to go, the first time I put it on and I was like, oh, I need a wee. Went to the toilet, I was like, not sure how to do this. Yeah, you trail to the toilet. I don't actually know how to go to the toilet. so anyway I ended up having to sit on the toilet facing inwards not outwards and my dress hang the other way it was very complicated imagine standing like a guy but then sitting down sitting down on the toilet that was me facing that way all day that was hilarious so so funny but anyway enough about the wedding let's talk move on and talk about going back into trading now so Mills you went to Portugal how was that?

13:00I kept taking the piss a little bit on camp because they kept saying, oh, warm weather. Every time I come out on the video, I was like, warm weather training. Let me tell you, it was absolutely dashing it down with rain for several days. And then even when the sun was out, it was still only like 10 degrees. You must have been so cold while it was snowing here. But the training itself was really, really good. I think it's always hard, isn't it, coming back. You can train as much as you want over Christmas, which we all did our sessions. but getting back into football, it's all like the short, sharp movements.

13:33It is, isn't it? You can't replicate football without playing football. See, when we came back, like I think the first day was on the grass and then I was poorly, so I missed two days of training. And then I came back after that and the girls had been training on the Astro and then we were on the Astro, then we were on the Indoor Astro. It's like that is even more of an adjustment, isn't it? Trying to get used to the 3G. It's hard. So, yeah, I had severe doms. I was so, and I don't really get doms, but I was so sore. And I was like, I've done all my sessions, what the hell? And it was... It's just a completely different movement, so, isn't it?

14:08Yeah, they were hard. And I feel like the pictures abroad are always different. Yeah, the grass is different. Yeah, so, so soft. But it's nice to be back, though. We had a really good time there, and it broke up that little period of returning. And, you know, when you've not got, you're not playing games, training becomes a little bit, like, same, same. So going there, broke it up a little bit. We came back and then we were pretty much straight into the first game against West Ham. So, yeah, I like that it's been a shorter lead into the games this year because I don't like it when you come back from winter and then you've just got like two, three weeks of training in the game.

14:44It's like, come on. Protein is now at Starbucks and it's never tasted so good. You can add protein cold foam to your favourite drink or try one of our new protein lattes or matcha. Try it today at Starbucks.

15:01Your little one grew three inches overnight. Adorable. Also, expensive. Sell their pint-sized pieces on Depop and list them in minutes with no selling fees. Because somewhere, a dad refuses to pay full price for the clothes his kids will outgrow tomorrow. And he's ready to buy your son's entire wardrobe right now. Consider your future growth spurt budget secured. Start selling on Depop, where taste recognises taste. Payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply. See website for details. But let's get into the footy, the main part, your game. I've seen that you scored. Lovely little header.

15:39Thanks, Bestie. I should have scored that trick. Oh, that's all right. You just won. I had a header, first half. Good header, actually. Hit the bar. And then a few minutes later, Kirstie crossed it, volleyed it. Post. I was like, no. So it's one of them days. I come in at half-time and I was like, how have I hit the bar? Have I hit the post? What's next? Net. Net. Get in. But yeah, obviously it was frustrating to go 1-0 down. Good comeback though. Yeah, from our mistake as well. Like we kind of handed it to them. So that's always frustrating. But then, you know, I think like my message at half-time was like, don't chase this game now.

16:18Like we're fine. We can be in control of this game. Don't chase it from minute one as if we've only got five minutes to score two. So, especially if you've handed them a goal as well. I think it depends on the context of the game. Also, those chances that come next week, next game, you'll be burying them. It's first game back after the break. It's always like that. I think we've seen that from all the results as well. But Kirstie's goal was a banger. Absolute banger, yeah. She loves to score goals like that, doesn't she? She's always got a banger in her Kirstie. She's blind in a minute as well.

16:46But I'm always happy when Kirstie does well. Sing her praises from the rooftop. She's been quality this year. but yeah and then we scored two in two minutes like 57-58 and then it was then it's like settle down you know reset breathe but yeah it was good for me because I think it's always hard to come back from 1-0 down and we've like not had a really good run at home so we beat Liverpool just before Christmas at home I think that was our first that game was our first win at home so it was important for us to start this year strong but for me I think the most important thing that came out was the character to actually turn that round.

17:28Because Brighton are a really difficult team to play against. 100%. I think it puts you in a really good place, though, as well. And you get another three points. It pushes us above them now. We're six, I think. Yeah. Yeah, really happy with that result. And, yeah, proud of everyone yesterday. So, happy days. Keep it going. What about you? Talk to me. Five goals. Ruthless. Ruthless Chelsea are here to stay. Yeah, we're here to stay. It was nice. I always say the first game back after the break is the hardest. But I just said to the girls, listen, from now until the end of the season, every game is a must-win game.

18:01It's about, yes, we want good performances, of course, but it's business end of the season. All that matters is three points on that table and that is it. Yes, we want to keep performing and doing all that stuff, but points are going to be the thing that keep us in the title race and we can't afford to lose anymore. So it's just laying it out and it's just being realistic. And I was like, listen, we've got to have that mentality where every game we play from now until the end has to be three points. That is all we can control. But I thought it was a great performance from everyone. I think second half, we could have scored more.

18:34I think first half could have scored more. We could have scored a lot more. I think that would be the only thing looking back from our perspective is when the league can come down to goal differences, you know, sit here ahead on that. So we need to make sure we're taking our chances. And obviously that's something we spoke about a lot. the first half of the season. We create a lot, but we're still not putting them all away. And for the amount we're creating, and people might look at it and be like, well, you won 5-0. And I'm like, yeah, I know. But when you want to win titles, it could come down to goal difference.

19:03So we have to be hard on ourselves. And we have to say, if we're creating 20 chances, we need to be scoring more than five. But I thought it was really good. I thought everyone had a really good mentality. Just disappointed a little bit in West Ham. I think, obviously, we scored really early. and then they just didn't have that fight that they normally have. Because they've got a new manager now. Have they changed style or anything? I don't know. But normally when we play against them, they can be one of our hardest games. Yeah, because they're gritty and scrappy. Yeah, and you don't really know what you're expecting and then on the counter-attack.

19:36But I thought they really liked that fight, which they normally have, and that's not taking anything away from us. I think the first half we absolutely blew them out of the water and the game was pretty much done at 4-0. And then second half, like I said, we should have scored a lot more, but I think there were some real good positives and it's a really long block, this next block of games. So I think most importantly, we needed to get back in the rhythm of things and find our feet. But I think picking up where we left off, really, in terms of scoring a lot of goals. But yeah, from now until the end, just got to keep winning, bestie.

20:13That's all we can do. City running rampant again. I think shock. Bunny Shore and me tomorrow are running the show again. And do you know what? Carolyn. She is really hard to play against. Really hard. So, like, so skillful. Silky skill as well. Do you know what I mean? Like, so smooth. Got a little bit of everything. Like, likes to run in behind. Loves getting to the feet. Going 1v1. Like, tricky. Can link up. I think she does have a little bit of everything. Yeah. Yeah, I think they'll be happy. Shame they didn't drop a few points, but... so what are they six points ahead still now yeah still six points ahead but it's going to be so interesting because all the top four have still got to play each other it's going to come right down to the wire I reckon yeah 100 % that's what I'm saying you never know goal difference might it might be one on goal difference again but all the top four they've still got to play each other so I think it's like this is going to be by far the most exciting second half of the season yeah that I think we've all played in obviously we're in a City are desperate to win the league.

21:15But yeah, it's exciting. I think that's what you want. You don't want it to be easy. You don't want it to be done. You don't want the league to be done now. You want there still to be a chance for everyone to win it. So yeah, pressure's on. It's just who can handle the pressure. Pressure's a privilege. We will see. Arsenal Man United, nil-nil. I didn't see it because I was training, but I came in and all I heard was Jade Riviere got sent off and then Ujo came off. Slack that in it. It's a hard hit that, I think. it's literally two yellers and I don't really think you can argue them like she didn't get any of the ball on the second challenge and you're already on a yellow you can't go flying in like that I've been booked in first half and I'm thinking right you have to defend different you do because also all refs are different like you just you can't take that risk you can't and I think United did really well to be honest to play the last 25 with 10 players and hang on but I did expect a little bit more.

22:11I think United should have scored. They had a really, really good chance. It was a fantastic save, but I didn't think it would be a 0-0. I mean, not the worst result for the team, but I think they'll both be disappointed. They need points. There's only one point in it between them now as well, isn't there? It's like, do you go for it or do you play for a draw? But good to see Leah back. That was good, starting for the first time this season. So good, happy to see her back. That's always what we love to see. Next game, Spurs-Leicester. Oh, this made me really sad, you know. Cruel, innit? Cruel.

22:44So cruel. I just feel like stuff like that, it's like bound to happen. I don't know why. It's so cruel. It honestly... I saw it when I came out. Obviously, I checked for Sarah's game, but I saw 1-0 and I was like, all I saw was Ashley Nill and I was like, she's gone to Leicester. I know. Oh, own goal. I felt so sorry for her. It was like, do you know the worst part of it is then everyone highlights it. So then all I saw after the game was not like, Tottenham collect three points, move level on points with Arsenal. Like you don't see anything. People are forgetting that. Like they're literally on level points with Arsenal.

23:16No one's even looking at that. The main headline was like sport is cruel or something, own goal. And I'm like, just that's not what you need in that moment. It's the worst thing ever. But I think also good for, I know Leicester lost, but without the own goal, it's nil-nil. I think that's a big positive for them. And Tottenham are brilliant. And you know what? Savage, they play Spurs away, Spurs away. No. Yeah. So they've got to go back again next week. But yeah, you don't want to say a decent result. I think you've got to give yourself some credit to... You've got to build on the positives. Yeah, and it reduces them to just one goal when they're flying.

23:59So, but yeah, I think Sarah's enjoying it, really enjoying it. Yeah, how's bestie bestie getting on? Yeah, she's good. She's really enjoying it. She likes all the girls. she likes the staff nice to see her smile back on her face and out there doing what she does best exactly and you know just to see her happy and playing again is all we wanted so yeah she's loving it it's weird for me obviously being at Villa without her I've only ever known Villa with her there I literally signed her and she was there but yeah she's good she's good and obviously it's not too much of a commute so I was going to say how far is the travel?

24:30on a weekend or like yeah like a you know before the kids went back to school and stuff like that it was about 45 minutes. Now it's about an hour, hour and ten. I was saying to the girls the other day at training, I was like, it's actually, it's weird, but it's actually quite refreshing. Like, I get to just go home and... You actually get to catch up. We can talk about each other's days. Yeah. And you know what I'm like? I'm really independent. I need my own space. Yeah. So I've obviously, when we work together, I like to find ways to get my own space. Yeah. Like, Sarah's amazing with that. She just knows when I want to just go and be alone.

25:03That is a very normal thing. and I think that is a very healthy thing to have as well. Because also, if you spend literally 24-7 together, what the hell are you going to talk about? Well, yeah, so now it's like, oh, right, great. How was your day? What did you do? Yeah, exactly. It's really nice, actually. She's too good to not be playing as well, so I'm rooting for my mailing daily. The last one, Liverpool 0, London City 0. I feel like I couldn't have predicted that either. But what I find really mind-blowing, the stat from this game, is that neither team had a shot on target. See, that's not good, is it?

25:39No. And I was really intrigued to see the turnaround from London City with the new manager because I think I'm still baffled by it. I still don't understand it. I just don't. And I do think if they're playing that game a couple of months ago, they'd be winning. Yeah. And I don't know, maybe not in their environment, and can't speak on that, but I do think it's disruptive. I really, really do. I just think at that point, it's such a bold move and why fix what isn't broken? But obviously, we don't know what's going on on the inside. Exactly. We'll see how that pans out for the rest of the season, but it feels good to be back, but we need a break because my throat is hurting from all this talking and chit-chat because I've had some time off.

26:27So I'll have a quick break and we'll be back soon.