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The first woman to lead England to European football victory, for just one day Leah Williamson swapped out captaining the Lionesses for leading the Woman’s Hour team.

She joined Jessica Creighton for an hour-long special on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour to talk about the things that are important to her, reflect on her team’s historic win, encourage the next generation of players and reveal her passions away from the pitch. Keep reading for 11 things we learnt from Leah’s guest edit of the programme…

The England captain told Jessica Creighton about her leadership style with her teammates. “I was willing to be vulnerable with the girls and I think that’s a good thing because it levels out, but also meant I could be a leader from within.

"There's a time and a place for everybody to say something. I think if you know your strengths and you know what you can bring to a team, it's really important that you do step up in those moments.”

"If it's not available and if before you even have the choice, it's decided for you that you can't be involved, then what are we doing?

“When girls go to school, whatever's on offer for their male counterparts should be on offer to them. It just has to be on the agenda.”

“I was six when I started to play outside of the playground, I think, and then I actually joined a girls’ team the year after,” says Leah. “Mum says one day I went home and said: ‘I'm going to play football. Go on, we'll give it a go.’ And that was it. I just never looked back. I think I've just always known that that's what I loved and what fitted the nature of who I am.

“I was lucky. I got scouted and moved into a centre of excellence at the time. So, I was really lucky in my journey in terms of being in a safe environment and playing with girls growing up.”

Not only is Leah the captain of the England Lionesses squad, she’s also the locker room DJ whilst the squad prepares for high-pressure games.

“There's two things in the world that make me feel a certain level of emotion, and that's football and music,” says Leah. “I don't think anything else can do it. Music brings people together in the same way that sport does. It feels bigger than any other bond.

“I love getting involved as much as possible with the selection of music for the team. Jill Scott will be sat on the seat behind me, and she’ll text me: 'Can you put this on now, please?' and if it doesn't come on next, she's texting me again saying: ‘Where is it?!’ I’m like: ‘Yeah, all right. It's in the queue. We've got other requests coming in!’

“There was nice moment before the final where we had Inner Smile by Texas. If anybody has seen Bend It Like Beckham, it’s from that. It was like a bit of a chill. Thinking about where we came from... Just imagine you're a little girl watching Bend It Like Beckham and thinking about this day. Songs like that bring people together.”

Whilst she thrives off the energy a good song can bring, Leah also leans on music when she’s not in such high spirits, including when she suffered a significant hamstring injury during a match.

“I'm a big believer in feeling what you need to feel,” says Leah. “Sometimes you can't quite get it out. If I feel like I need to have a bit of a cry, that can bring it out for me. When I was injured and putting on a brave face, I'd get home at night and put my record player on. I’d really get into it, just to see how I'm actually feeling. It's good to keep in touch with yourself.”

“Sarina [Wiegman] asked me if I wanted to do it and I just followed my gut in the moment,” says Leah. "Obviously, my first thought was: ‘That's a responsibility, so it’s time to step up.’

“I really wasn't [ready for it] before. It's a big role to take on. I've still got my own way to make in football. So, I didn't know if I could do it. But in the moment, it just felt right in my gut. And for my family, that's a really proud thing for them, so that was that was one of the first things I thought."

Fashion and football are both topics close to Leah's heart. Particularly unisex fashion.

“I enjoy that you can look at a piece of clothing and it doesn't matter who you are or what you are, and you can choose what you want to wear,” says Leah. “I find that very liberating. Living as unapologetically as possible, I think unisex clothing is a great way to express yourself in that in that way.

“A bit like my music tastes, I don't really have a particular style. It's quite masculine at times, but feminine in my own way. If I see something and I like it, I'll figure out how I want to wear it because it's an expression of who I am. It's not your average. It's not your every day. But it makes me feel good. It makes me feel confident.”

Speaking to Sue Whyatt, who was a goalie in the first England women's team in 1972, Leah sent her thanks to the footballers who came before her.

“It's my responsibility. I stand on your shoulders. Without you I wouldn't be where I am and the game certainly wouldn't be where it is. So, you say thank you to me. But actually, it's from me to you. We know where we've come from.”

One listener called Charlotte, who plays football for Brumfield Under 12s Girls’ football team, sent in a request for Leah to share her top tips for young defenders.

“Be brave, I think, first and foremost” says Leah. “Use your communication skills. You have a lot more time than anyone else and so you can help everyone else. A good defender once told me that your job is 10 times easier if you get everyone else to do it for you.

“And watch the ball. Never take your eye off the ball. It doesn’t matter what the player’s doing in front of you. Keep your eye on the ball. Play as much as possible. Never get enough of it and make yourself better every day.”

Head to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sounds to hear the episode of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour guest edited by England Lionesses captain Leah Williamson. You can also find any episodes you’ve missed. Join the conversation on and @bbcwomanshour.