In the second part of our in-depth interview, watfordfc legend Helen Ward talks about some of the challenges she faced as a female footballer, her international career and the decision to retire
“But you soon realise there is never a perfect time, and nor does nature neatly fit in with plans.
“So I moved to Reading, signed the paperwork and then fell pregnant before the season had started! The WSL2 had just been formed and it was a summer league, and because Reading were in it they’d had a break between the end of their normal season in May right through until the March of the following year.
“There are new regulations for maternity pay and maternity leave, which is fantastic. But back when I had Emily, we were all sort of guessing and trying what we thought was right and best.”“No disrespect to Yeovil but that move wouldn’t have worked out anyway. Because of the distances I was only training once a week and then I was going to play at weekends,” she explained.
Was there ever a time, after the birth of her two children, that she thought she might not put her boots and shinpads back on? “Every time I went to a Wales camp I was away for 10 days. When Emily was really little my elder sister came up from where she lives in Sussex and we paid her to look after Emily.“So in the early days, quite often for 10 days my sister would be Emily’s carer.
“Matt works full time: he leaves the house at six in the morning and gets home about five or six at night. So without the support of the rest of our family, it wouldn’t have been possible.” “I don’t know if I would necessarily have enjoyed it as much if there was the pressure of trying to get a contract every season, or trying to get a move to another club.
“The ladies/women weren’t always part of the club. We didn’t have the set-up we have now at the training ground.“There were periods during my time away where I’d look from afar and think it was a real shame. “I had been talking to Spurs about signing for them and I was just about to when Keith said ‘don’t do anything, come and meet me, our general manager Ed Henderson, and Rich Walker’.
Other Watford legends like Nigel Gibbs and Lloyd Doyley never played against the club, let alone score a goal against them. “I’m not fussed if ex-players celebrate scoring against their old club. It depends on the circumstances around you leaving I suppose. “That prolonged period of inconsistent training, where we were allowed to train and then we weren’t, realty affected my body negatively.“Then I decided I was being stupid and I couldn’t let something like that end my career. I wanted it to be on my terms.
“That’s not because I don’t love playing club football, but because for me international football is the pinnacle and that was what I always strived for. I wanted to do my best for Watford but then that enabled me to be my best for Wales. “I spoke with my family, the Wales manager and the people here at Watford, and I just said I knew it was the right time.
“I never really enjoyed my time with England. I think I did two or three camps, and I always felt having me there was a bit of a token gesture,” she said. “Then one of the coaches at Watford, who also worked with Wales, asked me if I had any Welsh background. I said my Mum’s parents were both Welsh and that set me thinking.
“To have played for Wales 105 times is very, very special to me. My grandparents were not alive to see it, which is really sad, but I hope I’ve done them proud.“They were both selected to play sport for Wales: my grandad at rugby and my Nan was due to play hockey but then the Second World War came along and stopped it.
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