Beth Mead Strives to Make Her Late Mother Proud Ahead of England Return
Beth Mead is gearing up to make an emotional return to the England national team this week, as she aims to honor the memory of her late mother, June. Mead, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while her mother battled ovarian cancer in January, is hoping to make her mother proud when the Lionesses take on the Netherlands in Friday’s Nations League fixture.
Reflecting on her previous appearance at Wembley, Mead stated, I think last time I got a chance to play there, my mum was still here. 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.
Mead, who last represented England in November 2022, was one of several players who missed the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to injury, along with her Arsenal teammate Leah Williamson. Despite the disappointment of not participating in the tournament, Mead expressed her happiness at being recalled to the squad after a year of hard work and recovery.
Recalling the World Cup final, Mead shared, The final was a pretty tough watch. Throughout the tournament, me and Leah were sat watching games, we were still very emotionally and physically connected, watching every game. 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… It was difficult, I know that me and Leah really struggled because we just want to help the team do the best that they can do.
In addition to her England comeback, Mead also voiced her support for the new structure in women’s football, with Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship clubs agreeing to form a new organization called NewCo. This historic agreement will grant WSL clubs 75 percent of the combined revenues of the divisions and greater decision-making power on broadcast and commercial matters.
We want the game to move to a new level, we want to keep pushing it forward. Although the FA have done an amazing job over so many years, I think it was time to let go of those stabilizers and let somebody else take over, Mead commented on the development. I think hopefully in the long run that can help us push the game and the leagues to the next level.
With her sights set on making her presence felt on the international stage once again, Mead’s determination to make her mum proud is a poignant reminder of the personal obstacles she has overcome. As she steps back onto the field, she carries not only her own ambitions but also the memory of her mother, guiding her every step of the way.
As Mead returns to represent her country, her resilience and dedication serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and fans alike. Her journey reflects the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity, reminding us all of the power of determination and love.
