Goalkeeping ace Helen Alderson has put herself in the line of fire after jetting off for footballing success in Iceland.
Volcano
or no volcano, the Sunderland Ladies FC star is planning to raise temperatures after being lent out to a semi-professional Icelandic
squad, Grindavík.
After a full season on the sidelines due to injury, FA Cup finalist Helen is looking forward to the month-long challenge. The 20-year-old, from High Barnes, will also be getting paid for the privilege. Helen, who ruptured a ligament in her knee at the end of last season, said: "Playing every day is what I need after being out injured for so long.
"I was gutted I had to
miss out this season. I’m hoping by going to Iceland I’ll come back feeling fresher and fitter. But, of course, the football
star is still hoping that she will be able to get home – ash permitting. The player said it would be a perk to have her accommodation
and expenses paid, as well as a salary.
Despite their success, Sunderland’s Lady Black Cats play for free and have to fund themselves. This means that even though the girls
beat every team in the league, bar two, they are not involved in the new Super League. Women’s football has gone semi-professional,
with salaried players in every team, and even though Sunderland are among the most talented, they cannot afford to take part. Helen
said: "It’s difficult for the girls who are playing for England and the girls who are striving to play for the national team. It’s
a bit of a shame that women’s football has gone the same way as men’s, and money is the only important thing, at a time when we were
just about to take off."
Helen is expected to be back on UK soil in about four weeks’ time... volcano permitting, of course.
Courtesy of Jessica Forster, Sunderland Echo.