The Bend It Like Beckham director expressed his happiness with the film, which inspired England's Lionesses who reached the World Cup finals.

Many of the lionesses, who were children when the film was released, viewed it as an inspiration.

Defender Alex Greenwood (29 years old) previously described it as a “strong film,” saying: “I wanted to go out and train like she and the girls did.”

Rachel Daly, 31, who played college soccer in the US, said earlier this year: “I remember watching Bend It Like Beckham when I was younger and doing something like that.

“I learned a lot from getting out there and the amount you have to do to balance your practical studies and your football is crazy, so I learned a lot about myself.”

Injured captain Leah Williamson also shared her love for the film, saying that the Texas song Inner Smile, which is featured on the soundtrack, reminds her of why she wanted to become a professional soccer player.

“I grew up watching Bend It like Beckham, I wanted to be a footballer because of that film and it takes me back there,” she said on an episode of the BBC's My Sounds programme.

In an interview with The Telegraph in 2015, Ms Chaddha said the film had the support of the man after whom it is named.

She said: “When we first approached David Beckham [about the film]“I support this wholeheartedly because I support girls’ football and I want families to come to matches,” he said.