CHELSEA will parade the 'Messi' they have paid a record fee for before what will probably be a record crowd this afternoon . . . for their Women's Super League football team that is.
Ms Kirby is now at the front of a revolution that the aptly named Lionesses' World Cup success in Canada has sparked and which will be reflected in the bumper crowds expected to watch them play for their club sides when the Women's Super League resumes today.
More attendance records are also likely to be broken at Wembley on August 1 to see the 22-year-old face a Notts County side featuring the country's other World Cup sweetheart, Laura Bassett, in the Women's FA Cup final.
England's other heroines will headline in matches that see Arsenal introduce new midfield signing Marta Corredera from Barcelona against Liverpool, Sunderland v Notts County and Miss Bassett and Manchester City with England captain Steph Broughton and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley against Birmingham, who had Karen Carney, Jade Moore and Jo Potter in the England team.
On-line ticket sales for Birmingham's game against Arsenal on August 19 are already at an all-time high.
Not in their wildest dreams could any of those Lionesses have imagined the public acclamation that will be theirs today - certainly not Miss Bardsley.
Born in America after her parents moved there she watched agog at the welcome home the US world champions received in New York last week and dreamed of the day when that might happen here.
She said: "I looked at that and thought Wow! Soccer is absolutely massive for women in the States. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get that here one day.
"I always wanted to play for England and what happened for us in Canada has been amazing. We have tried to inspire the nation and once the belief grew it just set fire."
"There is a perception here that the club is throwing around loads of cash, but that's not the case.
"We've never had the sort of money men get. There are some of them in the Premier League and the Championship . sitting on the bench every week who earn more than I do in a year.
"But I don't do this for the money. I am happy with City and England and I still think we're humble enough. I don't think we will ever lose the passion and determination."
The proof of that particular pudding will come this afternoon when Kirby, Bardsley and Bassett and co hope to carry on where they left off in Canada just over a week ago.
"We gave it our all and embodied the spirit of the game out there. I just want credit where credit's due," she said.
Barring disasters that credit could well come in Belfast just before Christmas with their crowning as Team Of The Year at the BBC's Sports Personality Of The Year jamboree.
"Now wouldn't that be wonderful?" Karen added.
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