Wales all-time record scorer considering retirement after latest lockdown
Newport, Wales, UK. 22nd Oct, 2020. Helen Ward of Wales in action against the Faroe Islands. Wales v Faroe Islands in UEFA Women's Euro Qualifying at Rodney Parade on the 22nd October 2020. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Wales’ forward Helen Ward says she is contemplating retirement after the latest lockdown in England.
The Brent-born forward is Wales all-time record goal scorer, having scored 42 goals in 89 games.
Ward, who plays for Watford, isn’t deemed as an ‘elite’ athlete by the UK Government, which means her level of football is unable to continue.
It means the 34-year-old is unable to train with her teammates or play competitive matches, until a loosening of restrictions is made.
In the immediate aftermath to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to implement a national lockdown in England, Ward tweeted: “I’m seriously considering retirement. Not sure I’ve got it in me to keep training alone, home school a six-year-old and entertain a three-year-old. No chance I can do all three effectively.”
However she provided an update to her immediate plans in an interview with BBC Sport: “It was one of those things where the announcement was made and I thought ‘right, here we go again,
“This time around a lot of my team-mates will be able to carry on playing in either the Championship or the Women’s Super League. I have always said if I retire from international football, I would retire from football altogether.
“But I won’t retire, I won’t make any rash decisions but I know it will be a tricky six or seven weeks ahead at least.”
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
