TWO lucky classes of schoolgirls were given the opportunity to train under the eye of England legend Karen Carney.

The youngsters from St Mary’s Primary School and from Redbridge Primary School were at Southampton Football Club’s Staplewood Training base on Thursday afternoon.

The event, run in association with Utilita and Visa, was put on in an effort to inspire the next generation of young women from the area ahead of this summer’s Euros.

As part of the event, Utilita is working with Southampton and other football clubs on their Football Rebooted campaign to rehome used boots.

Carney, who earned 144 England caps in her glittering career said: “It’s a really cool initiative - even with the boots.

"I think nearly 80 per cent of the girls here didn’t have boots so for Utilita to give them the opportunity to have boots and play is really important as well.

“In anything in life, if you’re having fun you’re going to want to do it.

"The coaches have been brilliant, the set-up is really good, they look like they’re having fun. That’s the most important thing.

"If you don’t like something you’re never going to do it. And we don’t want that.

"We want to grow the game, we want to improve the game and it starts here.”

The event came just one day after Southampton announced that their Women’s programme had gone full-time following promotion to the Championship, a move Carney lauded as another step forward for the game as a whole.

“It’s incredible now that they’re full-time, it can really push them on,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic football club, great facilities and I think every women’s team should be a part of football clubs, they’re an integral part.

"It’s great and another step forward for women’s football and Southampton.”

This summer, a trio of Euros games will take place in Southampton with England facing Northern Ireland at St Mary’s on July 15.

“I go to Southampton’s home ground quite often to cover it from a broadcasting perspective.” Carney added.

“It’s a great venue - I’ve played there as a player as well - it’s a great stadium.

"The people are always so welcoming. Whoever goes this summer will have a great time and the games will be brilliant as well.”