Maddie Phillips appointed Brentford Women captain | OneFootball

Maddie Phillips has been appointed captain of Brentford Women for the 2025/26 season.

Now in her third campaign with the Bees, Phillips steps into the role after winning the Player of the Year award last term.

Joining her in a leadership position is Regan Graver, who will take up the vice-captaincy.

After captaining the side for the first time in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Aylesford, Phillips - a lifelong Brentford fan - said it was an honour she didn’t see coming.

"It’s amazing, it was unexpected to be honest," she admitted.

"It’s a really nice feeling to have that recognition from Carly [Williams] coming in as a new head coach and the votes from the players is obviously really nice to have."

"It obviously means a lot more to me being a Brentford fan and wanting to play for the club. To be able to lead the club means a lot to me."

New head coach Carly Williams was full of praise for Phillips and the leadership she has already shown, as well as her potential with the armband.

"Maddie is someone that leads by example, she is an effective communicator and wants to do her best by the team and herself, always striving for high standards," said Williams.

"As a club we feel that Maddie has the qualities and potential to be a great leader for the 2025/26 season, and I look forward to supporting her as she transitions into this role.

"Maddie shows good levels of humility, she is approachable and is well respected on and off the pitch by staff and players."

While the captaincy will be an important role as the Bees step into tier five, the defender said it would require a group effort this season.

"To be honest it didn’t feel any different, it just felt like a normal game. I think all of us get stuck in and we all work together to get through and get the win," explained Phillips.

"Obviously there’s an element of pressure to it as well which I definitely feel, it’s a big job.

"We need to work together as a group and that leadership comes from all of the players, not just one, so I think that’s really important going into this year that we build on that."

Phillips has replaced Mollie Holmes in the role, who retired following last season’s league triumph and subsequent promotion.

She said she would take plenty from Holmes’ leadership style into her own captaincy.

"I’ve got big shoes to fill from Mollie, she did so many amazing things as captain," Phillips continued. "If I can be half the captain that she was then I’ll be happy.

"Mollie was a really approachable person, she was a people person, she loved everyone, she got on with everyone, she was someone you could really go to for anything.

"On the pitch, she was so calm and she would control the game in that aspect. I want to take her composure, especially on the pitch, but also the sort of person she was off the pitch and the culture she created in the group."