Beth Mead has said “the sky’s the limit” following the decision of Women’s Super League and Championship clubs to vote to form an independent organisation to run the women’s professional game.
“We want the game to move to a new level, we want to keep pushing it forward,” she said. “Although the FA have done an amazing job over so many years, it was time to let go of those stabilisers and let somebody else take over. Hopefully in the long run that can help us push the game and the leagues to the next level. The sky’s the limit and we have to keep pushing it there.”
Speaking before England’s penultimate and must-win Nations League group game against the Netherlands on Friday evening, Mead was emotional about her return to the England fold for the first time since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November 2022.
Mead missed out on England’s previous camp having made only one substitute appearance for Arsenal, in which she provided an assist for their winner against Aston Villa. Now, she has four appearances off the bench and two starts, scoring her first goals since her return on Sunday.
“I’ve been smiling like a Cheshire cat since I got here,” she said. “It’s been a year since I was here. I’ve worked hard. I’ve had a lot of tough days in between that time and I’m just super proud of myself.”
Having to watch from the touchline has been tough for the 28‑year‑old, particularly the run of the Lionesses to the World Cup final where they endured defeat against Spain. “The final was a pretty tough watch,” Mead said. “Throughout the tournament me and Leah [Williamson] were sat watching games. We were still very emotionally and physically connected, watching every game. Penalties are not my favourite thing to watch either, I don’t think they are anyone’s.
“I felt for the girls after the game. I was devastated for them when we fell short in the final. I know how that feels to fall just short in a competition such as a World Cup, being in the semi-finals in 2019.”
Mead has dealt with a lot in the past year, losing her mum in January after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer, plus her ACL injury and missing the World Cup as a result. “Growing up I think a lot of my family members said I was mentally quite weak” she said.
“I’d like to think the things I’ve dealt with have made me a stronger and better person, whether that be as a teammate, as a partner, as a sister, as a new dog mum. But I’m proud of my journey and I’m very proud and happy to have had the support around me that I’ve had during this time.”
That support includes her partner Vivianne Miedema, the Dutch record goalscorer who injured her ACL a month after Mead and will fittingly be on the opposition side for the England forward’s return to international football.
Mead said with a grin: “Viv, who’s that? It’s a nice moment for both of us. It’s a hard journey, who does their ACLs at the same time? We’ve seen the good and bad days from each other. It’s really nice we can both hopefully get the chance to get on the pitch at the same time at some point.”
Playing at Wembley will be tough, too. “Last time I got a chance to play there [at Wembley], my mum was still here,” she said. “So that’s difficult for me to think about sometimes but it also makes me very proud to try and make her proud as well. Fingers crossed I can get on the pitch and make her proud again.”
