A FOOTBALLER from Waverton is considering switching nationalities after being overlooked by England for this summer’s European Championship under 19s finals held in Iceland.
Heather Scheuber, a top midfielder for FA Women’s Premier League outfit Birmingham City Ladies, says she would be happy to nail her colours to the mast for Wales if the call came.
‘I spoke to the management of England U19s at the start of the summer because they were questioning my commitment to them,’ said the 19-year-old central midfielder.
‘I explained that I had to balance my football – which is never going to earn me a living – with my need to have a career.
‘But they said if I couldn’t make a stronger commitment they would not be able to select me and I was not picked for the Iceland finals.’
In Reykjavik, England did well enough to secure a spot in next year’s U20s World Cup in Chile, a tournament for which Scheuber, previously a regular starter for Mo Marley’s side, would still be eligible.
But the former Tranmere star said she is enjoying her club football more without the pressure of committing to the England cause and would be tempted by the offer to join Birmingham team-mate Milly Durrant in the Welsh national team.
‘The World Cup is the World Cup so I guess I would go to Chile if I was picked but I’m enjoying my football more now I can concentrate on Birmingham,’ said Scheuber.
‘If the call came from Wales I would certainly consider it.’
Scheuber qualifies for Wales through her mum Liz, who hails from Holywell, and could expect to be a regular starter for the full Wales team which – Arsenal’s Jayne Ludlow aside – has a paucity of Women’s Premier League players.
Scheuber, who is currently in her fourth year with Birmingham, scored her third goal of the season in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.
