LAUREN GETS A BUZZ FROM LOAN MOVE TO HORNETS
LOAN moves may traditionally be seen as a way to develop a career elsewhere, but Durham’s Lauren Jordinson is taking it to a new level – enhancing her job prospects outside of football.
Two years into an accountancy and financing degree at the University of Leeds, the defender has opted for a placement year at Johnson & Johnson in High Wycombe – a mere 271 miles from where she plies her trade at New Ferens Park.
But, determined not to put her football career on hold, Jordinson sought advice from Lee Sanders and the Durham manager put her in touch with fellow WSL 2 side Watford.
With a loan deal agreed, the versatile defender has the chance to keep both important parts of her life going, although she admitted it was difficult to depart from the north east – albeit on a temporary basis – after spending all of her football career with Durham.
“I didn’t want to give up football, and Watford was
the most logical choice focusing on where I was working,” she said.
“I explained to Lee that this was the route I wanted to go down and he was really supportive, contacted Watford on my behalf and that made things really smooth for me to make that move.
“You can’t underestimate how helpful that support is, football is not something I wanted to give up on, so to have that support was hugely vital for me.
“I can’t thank him enough – I’d been with Durham since the beginning so it was quite emotional for me to leave and my family are all there too.
“I’ve had a lot of good times there over eight years and it wasn’t an easy decision to make.”
Working five days in an office ensures Jordinson, who trains three times a week with Watford, is kept constantly on her toes.
But her story is not out unusual in WSL, with numerous players at both Durham and Watford, among others juggling careers both on and off the pitch.
It’s a trend which Jordinson admits has been a comfort to her, a decision which she felt was necessary to make at 21.
“The balance (between football and work) is actually much easier than I thought,” she said. “At university you’d leave the lectures or seminars and there’d still be work to do, whereas you leave work at the door and have your evenings to yourself.
“The placement and the club understand my position, they’re both flexible and with Johnson & Johnson I can start and finish earlier if needed, which is really useful.
“For me it’s about getting experience doing what I enjoy – I haven’t had much relevant knowledge. I’m studying accounting and finance but most of my CV is just football, so I needed to broaden my horizons and get a better understanding of what I want to do.
“I’d love to be in football full-time, but you do need something to fall back on. Anything can happen injurywise, and there are numerous circumstances which can happen, so you need something else just in case.”