Sheffield United boss questions claims about women's football

Despite acknowledging casualties are inevitable as sport enters its second month in lockdown, Ward, the manager of Sheffield United Women, confirmed her experiences at Bramall Lane are a far cry from the bleak picture being painted by many in the media.

“I keep reading that people are cutting back (on the women’s game) but they’ll be cutting back in other areas too, only that won’t get the headlines,” she said. “Of course it’s tough. It’s tough for us, at United, and everyone else.

“I’ve seen one team disband and that’s terrible for everyone concerned. That goes without saying and you feel, really feel, for everyone involved.

“Sheffield United’s model, from a business point of view, is very, very good. Good business in the past has put us in a good position now. The club have been brilliant and we’re fortunate to be a part of it.”

United were second in the FA Championship table when the pandemic forced the competition to be suspended, six points behind leaders Aston Villa.

Although some divisions lower down the pyramid have confirmed they do not plan to complete their fixtures calendars, Ward remains hopeful her squad will eventually receive the all-clear to resume its push for promotion to the Super League.

“We’re six points off the top but they (Villa) have got some really tough fixtures coming up, we feel,” she said. “I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen because it’s going week by week. I keep changing my mind (on how the situation will unfold). Everyone wants football back on, but we also accept that it’s got to be right.”

“Whatever you do, it’s going to be difficult,” Ward added. “We want it to get back on but, wherever people eventually decide, you are never going to be able to make everyone happy; that’s going to be impossible.”

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