Lucy Ward wants return to football after career 'destroyed on a whim'

14 April 2016 09:53

Lucy Ward made a pointed swipe at Massimo Cellino and said her employment tribunal victory over Leeds was a win for colleagues who were unable to bring about similar claims.

Ward successfully pursued an unfair dismissal and sex discrimination case against Leeds, claiming she was sacked as the club's education and welfare officer because she was former head coach Neil Redfearn's partner.

Leeds denied wrongdoing and said she was dismissed for exceeding annual leave entitlement after working for the BBC at the 2015 Women's World Cup.

Judge Stephen Keevash ruled in Ward's favour on Wednesday and she issued a statement on Twitter on Thursday morning.

She stated her desire to return to work in football after her career was "destroyed on a whim".

"This has been a nightmare 10 months for me and my family," she wrote.

"I had spent 17 years building up an excellent reputation in football for it all to be destroyed on a whim by the current ownership of this wonderful club, Leeds United.

"My record is now exonerated, my name is cleared and I look forward to getting back into work in football.

"This result is for all my friends and colleagues who also had to leave the club through no choice of their own and who weren't in a position, for whatever reason, to fight. You know who you are."

Ward said she did not wish to leave Elland Road.

She added: "This is bitter sweet for me as I loved my job, love the club, and I'm extremely proud of every young man that I have had the honour to work with throughout the 17 years. I never wanted to leave."

Source: PA