Ella Toone will stand in a white dress this summer with an empty chair beside her. The Manchester United and England midfielder’s father, Nick Toone, who passed away in September 2024, will not witness the moment he helped inspire. A new BBC documentary, *24 Hours with Ella Toone*, captures the 26-year-old midfielder grappling with grief while honoring the man she calls the “driving force” behind her career.
Key Points
- ✅ Toone’s father Nick died three days before his 60th birthday—five days after her 25th
- ⚡ Nick recorded every match to call her afterward for a “debrief”
- 💡 She scored her first post-bereavement goal with a long-range strike, dedicating it to him
Nick Toone was more than a devoted fan; he was Ella’s personal coach, chauffeur, and confidant. From childhood club matches across the country to international games abroad, he ensured she never missed an opportunity. “Our thing was football,” she says. “He was probably the first to really see the potential in me.” Nick’s passion for women’s football surpassed even his love for men’s football; he’d enter any pub to talk about the Lionesses and his daughter’s performances.
Nick hid his prostate cancer diagnosis from everyone except his wife and brother during the Euro 2022 tournament. Ella scored in England’s 2-1 win over Germany in the final, unaware of the illness consuming him. “He didn’t want anyone worrying,” she says. It wasn’t until after Manchester United’s FA Cup final victory in May 2024 that she learned the truth.
💡 Pro Tip
Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. Allow yourself to pause—even in high-pressure roles—before the body forces the break for you.
Nick died three days before his birthday in September 2024. The next day, Ella was back on the training pitch. “I went straight back into football because I knew that’s what he would have wanted,” she says. Her return against West Ham at Old Trafford felt like a tribute, though she admits the weight of expectation nearly crushed her. “I needed to play. I couldn’t just sit around mourning when I knew he’d be watching.”
| Moment | Ella’s Action | Nick’s Role |
|---|---|---|
| Euro 2022 Final | Scored winning goal | Recorded match, unaware of illness |
| FA Cup Final 2024 | Won title | Diagnosed with cancer |
| Old Trafford Return | First game post-bereavement | Died three days earlier |
After a calf injury sidelined her in November, Ella finally had time to process the loss. “My body told me to stop before I had a mental breakdown,” she admits. A two-month break included counselling and a trip to Dubai, where she reflected on the relentless pressure she’d placed on herself. When Manchester United thrashed West Brom 7-0 in January, Ella curled a 35-yard strike into the top corner—the goal later voted the season’s best. As she pointed to the sky, the relief was palpable. “Every goal now is for him,” she says. “But that moment felt like freedom.”
📋 By The Numbers
- 4 — Months between Nick’s death and Ella’s return to scoring
- 7-0 — Manchester United’s thrashing of West Brom, including Ella’s first post-loss goal
- 2 — Months she spent away from football after the calf injury
Nick’s absence looms large on matchdays, a day once shared with family. “It was their time with dad,” Ella says. Now, her grief fuels a mission: to be a pioneer for women’s football, just as he believed she could. “He saw something in me that no one else did,” she says. “I’m not just playing for myself anymore. I’m playing for him.” The wedding this summer will be bittersweet, but Ella insists Nick’s legacy lives on—every tackle, every pass, every gleaming trophy. “He’s still here,” she says. “In every step I take.”