Monday saw Dartford entertain Chatham Town at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Xayla-Rae Alberts featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article:
SECTION ONE
Xayla-Rae arrived at the club in October of last season, after being signed from Dorking Wanderers. And, the left-footed midfielder is already becoming an integral part of Connor Dymond and Martin McCarthy’s Dartford FC Women side… she has been named as joint Vice-Captain alongside Shauni Griffiths, while Chana Hinds is the new Captain.
And, the self-confessed Chelsea fan is in good spirits at the time of our chat on WhatsApp…
“I’m good thank you Chris. I’ve only been here since last October, so everything still feels really fresh.”
Despite her love for the Blues and her only being here at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park for a short time, the 24-year-old is happy and feeling at home at the club.
“Yes, I’ve loved every minute of it so far. The team’s great, the girls are lovely, as are the coaches and staff.”
With her feeling clear, Xayla-Rae needed no second invitation to re-sign with the club for another season, as Connor and Martin build a squad capable of going a step further (than last season) and win the London & South-East Regional Women’s Football League this time around.
“Yes, I had no second thoughts of going elsewhere. Our ambitions for this season, as a team, is to win the league. It’d be silly not to go for the title this year, along with a couple more trophies as well.”
She continues, “It feels really good to be playing for Dartford FC Women again this season. Obviously, we’re going into this campaign with the mind-set of winning the league. We’ve been training really hard, and we know what we need to do to get there… to go a step higher and keep the consistency. So, yeah, it’s great to be at an ambitious club that wants to aim for the highest place.”
Of course, in order to challenge for those higher places, the players need to be focused and fit. But, being part-time players has its own challenges in itself. So, when she’s not at Stamford Bridge watching her beloved Chelsea, how does Xayla-Rae keep herself fit?
“Fitness-wise, I go to the gym a lot outside of training. Obviously, we’ve been working on our fitness a lot during pre-season too. As far as nutrition is concerned, the managers have brought in a Nutritionist and a Strength & Conditioning Coach for the season. Those guys really help me learn to keep on top of it all.”
With the bigger clubs now possessing successful and growing Academies, does Xayla-Rae believe this is an essential part of young players’ development?
“Well, I had the pleasure of being a part of the Chelsea Academy when I was 14. I was there for about half a season. Yet, even during that short period of time, I felt that it helped me massively. It helped me see the quality at that age, and the abilities of those in women’s football. It also helped me personally just by me being around such quality players.”
Did she have aspirations of becoming a professional player?
“I did Chris, yes definitely. Especially when I started playing around the age of fourteen. Being in an Academy like Chelsea’s kind of gives you the confidence boost you need as well. However, my mind-set now though, is to just be the best player that I can be.”
After a short spell with the Chelsea Academy, Xayla-Rae moved on to play for Mole Valley where she remained for six years. Her journey then took her to Dorking Wanderers in 2020, where she played until October 2023, via a short stint at Kent from June until November 2021. And, of course, now the number eleven left-footer is plying her trade in black and white. Is she happy with how her career has been so far?
“Yes Chris I am. I never want to look back and say I regretted anything, or that I should have gone here or should have gone there. I feel that everything happens for a reason, so there’s no reason for me not to be happy. I’m also so grateful that I’m at a club which has ambitions, instead of just settling to stay in the league.”
Would she change anything if she were able to?
“No there’s nothing I’d change to be honest.”
And what about the future? Afterall, Xayla-Rae is only 24. Looking ahead, what are the midfielder’s plans?
“To be honest Chris, I kind of like to live in the present. My future plan is to help the team win the league and to be promoted with Dartford. I do truly believe that we have the potential, the mind-set, the ability, the players, the coaching staff, and the management to succeed and climb the women’s football pyramid. So yeah, that’s my plan… to grow with this club, succeed, and climb as high as we can.”
Fighting words from this young midfielder, who intends to help the Dartford FC Women’s team continue rewriting the history books. As our conversation reaches its end, I’ll save the final words for her…
“We have an unbelievable rapport with the Dartford fans. They’re unbelievable supporters. The crowds are growing game by game, and the support they give us on and off the pitch is fantastic. We hope to see more of them at the games this season because, it’s going to be a big one!”
SECTION TWO
Faith or Superstition?
Superstition.
Favourite Food?
Pasta.
Favourite Drink?
Rubicon – Guava Juice.
TV Series or Film?
TV Series.
Music or Podcast?
Music.
Sporting Hero?
Simone Biles
Non-Sporting Hero?
Ashley Cain.
Do you follow any other sports besides football?
Boxing.
Biggest influence in the dressing room?
Lizzie Adams.
What football players, past or present, would make up your dream five-a-side team?
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Lauren James (Chelsea Women)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Ji So-Yun (Seattle Reign Women FC)
Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
By Chris Palmer