By Katy Prickett
BBC News, Norfolk
Celebrity chef Delia Smith said she first met Lauren Hemp at a Norwich City match when the five-year-old had a photograph taken with her.
The Lioness, who is heading to the Women's World Cup final, was a regular at Carrow Road from a young age.
Ms Smith, a major shareholder in the club, said: "Her father had a picture taken with me, isn't that lovely?
"That little girl, her father brought her to football at Norwich and she's ended up being a star."
The Manchester City winger's hometown is North Walsham, Norfolk, although she left home at the age of 16 to play full-time for Bristol City.