Last weekend saw Dartford host Billericay Town at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dartford FC Women midfielder Lizzie Adams featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article:
SECTION ONE
The Dartford FC Women’s season is well underway once again, with a brilliant 9-0 demolition job over Ashford United Ladies in the Kent Cup last weekend.
And although she didn’t score, midfielder Lizzie Adams featured despite Connor Dymond and Martin McCarthy rotating the side for that fixture.
Lizzie is a name that everyone associated with the club should be familiar with. The former skipper and constant champion for the women’s game has made fourteen appearances in the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League so far this season. With nine of those being in the starting eleven, she has also chipped in with two goals in the free-flowing goal scoring Darts.
With her work taking precedence, it took a while to track this right-footed midfielder down for a chat but, when we were finally successful, she’s always quick to apologise.
“I’m very well thanks Chris, so sorry this has taken so long. I’m looking forward to the second part of the season in the new year.”
She continues, “This season has a very different feeling to it for me, as I’m no longer the captain, which has allowed me to take on a bit of a different role. We also have quite a few new faces and some players have also moved on too, so it’s a different feel. But I’ve still been enjoying it all! We’re working harder than we ever have before, and we’ve set ourselves very high standards which I find very motivating, especially when it then pays off on the pitch.”
Were those new standards the reason why she re-signed for the club, despite relinquishing the armband?
“I feel that I have unfinished business at Dartford! We came so close to winning the league last year and I’m determined to do it this year! I also have a lot of interest in the opportunities for women and girls’ football at the club, and supporting the development of these in a positive and inclusive environment.”
She continues, “Our focus is obviously on each match for now and seeing where we can go this season, which is an exciting place to be. I also have hopes that Dartford FC will continue to make changes to improve and increase opportunities for women and girls at the club. In particular, to consider the impact and importance of a continued commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in all of its work, making Dartford a place for everyone, which will take the club from strength to strength.”
This is such an important part of life, and something that is close to my heart as well. Being a disabled person, it is so refreshing to be a part of a club which is indeed inclusive and committed to equality and diversity. The club is my home, my family, and it’s nice to know I’m surrounded by like-minded souls such as Lizzie. Even her work outside of the club is equally as involved in such matters…
“Yes, I work for the Premier League around community, women, and girls’ football. It keeps me pretty busy to say the least! But I do get time to enjoy seeing family and friends, as well as play some netball with a work team too. I’ve also been enjoying various podcasts lately, in particular, one called Queer The Music, which looks into the history of lots of music and the importance and influence it had for people from the LGBTQ community.”
Does she actually have the time to focus on her own fitness and general wellbeing?
“Actually, this has always been something that’s important to me Chris. I mainly focus on having a healthy balance across everything. I enjoy the fitness side of things (mostly!), and we’ve done some good sessions this season, looking at nutrition, etc…, which have been really interesting, especially the focus on simple things that you can do with everyday food and keeping that balance.
“It can be difficult sometimes, as you always want to give everything to the various things you’re committed to. One of the biggest challenges is working full-time. People also have family commitments or, perhaps, working different shift patterns. Then you have to try fitting in training and availability for games around all of that.”
She continues, “For me in general, I find that I always feel better after training/exercise and I’m always keen to prioritise it where I can because of the positive impact it has on how I’m feeling, as well as in other areas of my life. This can be difficult though, especially when you miss out on family occasions or events with friends in order to go to football!”
I can understand Lizzie’s feelings here. Having been privileged to meet/chat with the players within both the men’s and women’s camps, I’ve gotten to know them and can appreciate what sacrifices they’ve made, and continue to make, for the love of the game and the club. It’s something that they’ve endured from an early age, and Lizzie is no different…
“I didn’t begin my football career with an Academy. I played for a boys’ team until I wasn’t allowed to… then later on, I played briefly at a Centre of Excellence school. I enjoyed the experience and I’m sure that, technically, I improved. But I then stopped playing football for several years.”
If the opportunities were available for girls to learn in an Academy back when she first started, does she think the experience would have been beneficial?
“Yes Chris. It possibly could have provided a route for me to go in the direction of playing football more formally, possibly even professionally. But it wasn’t an option for me at that time unfortunately.
“I always hoped that I’d play professionally one day when I was younger. But I knew it wasn’t a possibility. It also didn’t really occur to me that I could work in football either. But I’m very proud of what I’ve managed to achieve playing football. After not playing for many years, I’m so pleased I started again and consider it significant to be playing at the level I’m currently at, while balancing other areas of life, and playing against some teams who are being paid to play! I’m pleased that I’m able to compete with teams at a higher level too.”
With the Dartford FC Women’s team rewriting the history books and breaking records, Lizzie and her teammates have every right to feel proud. The sheer amount of effort and hard work that everyone within the camp continues to put in for success both off and on the pitch is astonishing, and should be rewarded and applauded. And to win and achieve promotion from the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League will only be the beginning of something wonderful.
As time runs out on our conversation and Lizzie’s work beckons, I’ll leave her to say a few words to the Dartford faithful…
“Have you been down to a women’s match yet? If not, would you or anyone you know… perhaps your son, daughter, niece, or nephew or a friend’s children want to come down and join us for a game? We would really love to see you there. And we can promise you a brilliant match! We also have the opportunity for children to be mascots, so please do get in touch.”
She’s not wrong! Come along one Sunday to watch the ladies play, you won’t be disappointed!
SECTION TWO
Faith or Superstition?
Faith.
Favourite Food?
Too many to choose from!
Favourite Drink?
Tea.
TV Series or Film?
TV Series.
Music or Podcast?
Music.
Sporting Hero?
Rachel Yankey.
Non-Sporting Hero?
My Mum.
Do you follow any other sports besides football?
Yes, I try to keep up with lots of women’s sports in general. I’m looking forward to the Women’s Rugby World Cup this year.
Biggest influence in the dressing room?
Ria our Strength & Conditioning Coach – a brilliant addition to the team this season!
What football players, past or present, would make up your dream five-a-side team?
Marta (Orlando Pride)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Thierry Henry (ex-Arsenal)
By Chris Palmer