TERRA magazine: The Pitch That Made Me - Hayley Ladd

Wales’ fourth most-capped player owes it all to Greenwood Park in St Albans…

I remember my first football session as a 5 year old, clear as day. It was a mini kickers type session with the St Albans City Youth boys team and I loved it from start to finish. I remember how vast the open space was at Greenwood Park, how you could just run free with the other kids all day. My fondest and most precious memories of football are at those playing fields in my junior years.

It’s so important to protect those fields for all young people — they play such a pivotal role in inspiring kids to play freely... and maybe one day, it’ll help them fulfil their dreams, too.

Words and images: Hayley Ladd