Maddie Phillips: A Week in the Life | OneFootball

There’s one constant in Maddie Phillips’ weekly pre-game schedule: chilli, rice and cheese.

The Brentford Women defender says she has the meal before every game, just one aspect of her structured weekly schedule that allows her to be at her best come Sunday afternoon.

She balances football with her job at Heathrow Airport, as well as a busy social calendar that includes watching the men’s first team whenever she can.

“I work Monday to Friday at Heathrow Airport, I’m a CTIM for terminal four. The world of logistics is a bit different to football,” says Phillips.

“Normally obviously Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday we’re in at training down here [at Bedfont Sports Club] or at Jersey Road.

“Saturday is normally my chill day, my relax day, normally see some friends and family, get out and be a bit social. If the men are playing, we’ll normally go down and support them which is always nice.

“Straight into Sunday, obviously gameday. A lot of preparation goes into that throughout the week. Sunday morning, I like to take some time for myself and chill out, get myself sorted and prepped.

“Normally always have a chilli beforehand, chilli, rice and cheese, that’s kind of my go to.”

Phillips has enjoyed a successful journey throughout her football career, starting with Chelsea Academy from the age of 11 to 19, before eventually joining Charlton Athletic.

"My football career has been very up and down, a lot more highs than there has been lows. I’m very lucky I haven’t had a lot of, touch wood, significant injuries in my career,” she continues.

“I’ve had so many highs with football; obviously I spent eight years with Chelsea which is just one of the things that you dream about.

"It gives you so many life skills and things that aren’t just about football and it just changes you as a person which was a great experience for me to have.

“Then stepping straight out of Chelsea into Charlton, it was an amazing set-up to go straight into a Championship team and it gave me a real test.”

A period away from the game eventually led her back to Brentford, a club she and her family have supported their entire lives.

“Unfortunately, I did fall out of love with the game but taking that time away from it makes you miss it," she says.

"It was nice to have the time away and have the time to myself to realise what I wanted and what I wanted to do with my life.

“Being able to come back to a club like Brentford that is very supportive and enables you to take that step but in your own way.

“Karleigh’s been great in allowing me to do it in my own way and doing what’s right for me which has been really great. I’ve been able to come back and really enjoy my football and just enjoy the person that I am around around the girls.”

Phillips and her team-mates will be in action on Sunday as they welcome Ascot United to Bedfont Sports Club for the FA Cup first round clash. Kick-off is at 3pm.