Who Was Ella Toone’s Dad, Nick Toone?
Nick Toone was Ella Toone’s father, the silent force behind her football journey who took her to training as a child and believed in her potential long before the world had taken notice. He passed away in September 2024, three days before his 60th birthday, after a battle with prostate cancer, an announcement that came as a shock to both Ella, and those around England and those around the England and Manchester United star.
Nick Toone’s Role in Ella Toone’s Football Journey
Taking Her to Early Training Sessions
He was the man behind the wheel, driving her to pitches across the local area and standing on the sidelines whatever the weather, as devoted to her early training sessions as any fan would be to match days today. For this disciplined nature from a young age, Toone always credits her father as creating such a special father-daughter relationship.
The 10-Per-Goal Promise at Age Six
At the age of six, Ella was made a promise by her father: £10 for every goal she scored. Toone took her promise seriously from her very first match, ending up costing her dad £100 in a single game, a fun anecdote that highlights her immediate goal-scoring instinct.
Supporting Her Rise Through Astley and Tyldesley Girls
Ella was a player for Astley and Tyldesley Girls before Manchester United came calling, and all the way through her career with the Greater Manchester team, her father was a constant presence, ensuring she was always attending her sessions and her matches.
How Ella Toone’s Dad Watched Her Career Unfold
Attending Home and Away Matches
They did it home and away, rarely missing an opportunity to see their daughter play, meaning the Lionesses always had friendly faces to look out for during some of the biggest moments of her career.
Post-Match Phone Calls and Replays
Toone’s father would re-record match replays after the final whistle, watching the full 90 minutes of Ella’s game before calling his daughter up to discuss how it all went, making sure not to miss an inch of her play.
Watching the Euro 2022 Final at Wembley
Nick watched Ella lift the Euro 2022 trophy in a sold-out Wembley as England’s Lionesses defeated Germany. However, his diagnosis of prostate cancer came the day after England’s victory at Euro 2022, adding a profound bittersweetness to a precious family memory.
Ella Toone’s Family Background
Life Growing Up in Greater Manchester
Raised in Greater Manchester, a hotbed of footballing talent, Ella’s early life was shaped by a strong sense of family and a grounding influence that proved essential in fostering her professional footballing aspirations. That sense of stability remains part of her story.
Relationship With Her Mother and Siblings
While her father’s influence on her football journey has been well-documented, Ella’s mother was equally a supportive figure throughout her life and her career, and they would often travel together.
Nick Toone’s Cancer Diagnosis Timeline
Diagnosis After the Euro 2022 Win
Nick was diagnosed with prostate cancer just the day after England had won Euro 2022, with his family keeping the disease private for quite some time. Ella says that only much later in his battle did she truly understand the severity of her dad’s illness.
Signs Noticed During the 2025 Euros Campaign
Upon reflecting on the past few years, Ella revealed that she began to pick up on certain symptoms in the period leading up to the major women’s football event. He missed at least one match during Manchester United’s journey to the FA Cup trophy in 2023, and looked generally unwell during some events. Although, her mother often informed her he was just “not well,” the information was “never about the fact that there was something serious.”
Confirmation After the FA Cup Final Win
While Ella’s parents made attempts to try and ensure she wouldn’t have to face reality and the information, she claims “cancer had never been mentioned to her” until after Manchester United had won the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur and she’d scored the opening goal of the match.
When Did Ella Toone’s Father Pass Away?
Cause of Death and Age at Passing
Ella Toone’s father died on September 16th 2024, after a long period of his battle against prostate cancer, the father-of-one had only a few days left to wait until his 60th birthday and it wasn’t until it was announced after his death that some knew about his condition.
Family’s Decision to Keep His Illness Private
Following his diagnosis, the Toone’s decided to keep details of his treatment private. Reflecting on a Players’ Tribune article on the passing of her father, Ella wrote: “We weren’t a great talking family when it came to emotions.”
Ella Toone’s Emotional Tribute to Her Father
The Players’ Tribune Essay
In an emotional and poignant essay penned for The Players’ Tribune in January 2025, Ella shared her intimate journey through the grief of losing her beloved father, detailing the raw emotions she was experiencing even months after his passing. The piece resonated deeply with fans worldwide, extending far beyond the football community.
Instagram Farewell Message on His Birthday
On what would have been her father’s 60th birthday, Ella posted a touching farewell tribute to Nick on Instagram, accompanied by a collection of family photographs. Her heartfelt message conveyed the profound sadness and longing for continued shared birthdays, expressing how much she missed him on that special occasion.
Manchester United and England Teammates React
Support From Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd Squad
Following the release of her powerful Players’ Tribune essay, Ella was met with an outpouring of support from teammates across Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes, alongside the entire squad, rallied around her, offering encouragement and comfort during her grieving process, which helped to ease her feelings of isolation.
Lionesses’ Response to Her Loss
Ella received substantial public and private gestures of support from her fellow Lionesses, as they navigated this period of loss alongside her. Given the incredibly close bond shared between the squad over the years, their solidarity was unsurprising and greatly appreciated.
Ella Toone’s Return to Football After Losing Her Dad
First Match Back and Emotional Tribute Goal
In marking one year since her father’s passing, Ella marked the occasion by scoring the opening goal in a dominant 4-0 victory against Leicester. This goal held a powerful significance beyond the pitch itself, with supporters and commentators alike acknowledging the emotional weight it carried.
How Football Helped Her Process Grief
Ella has spoken openly about how returning to the pitch offered her a crucial sense of focus during an overwhelmingly challenging time. Football became an outlet, enabling her to channel her emotions productively rather than succumbing to overwhelming sadness.
Legacy of Nick Toone in Ella Toone’s Career
How His Influence Shaped Her as a Player
From that iconic £10-per-goal bet at age six to years of post-match analysis, Nick Toone’s influence touches nearly every facet of Ella’s development as a footballer and those work ethic values are something she says continue to shine through how she plays.
Honoring His Memory on the Pitch
In the time since he has been gone, Ella has found different ways to carry his memory whenever she steps onto the field, be that a goal scored on an important date or a reflection off the field of her father’s presence.
Conclusion
Ella Toone’s dad shaped the player and person she has become, from driving her to early training sessions to watching her lift trophies on the biggest stages. His sudden passing in 2024 left a lasting impact, but Ella has channeled her grief into some of the most honest and moving reflections shared by any athlete in recent memory, a reminder of how loss and resilience can exist side by side.
FAQs
Who was Ella Toone’s father?
Ella Toone’s father was Nick Toone, who played an integral part in her career as a footballer.
When did Ella Toone’s father pass away?
Nick Toone passed away in September 2024, three days before his 60th birthday, following his battle with prostate cancer.
How did Ella Toone discover that her father was sick?
She did not fully understand it until after the FA Cup final win, when cancer was first mentioned to her directly.
How has Ella Toone paid tribute to her father?
She wrote a Players’ Tribune essay, shared an Instagram tribute, and scored a goal on the anniversary of his passing.
How old was Ella Toone’s father when he died?
At the time of his death, Nick Toone was 59 years old, a few days away from turning 60.
