Crossword Genius

Players supporting children without parents? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

forwards

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'parents?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'players supporting children without' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'supporting' could be 'for' and 'for' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'wards' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for forwards that I've seen before include "Facing towards the front" , "Ahead in time; in the normal order" , "Sends, dispatches" , "Football players" , "Passes on" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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