DARTFORD FC WOMEN | IN CONVERSATION WITH ISSY LIVETT
The last home game of 2022 saw Dartford entertain Bath City. Dartford FC Women’s Issy Livett featured in our matchday programme that day. For those who missed that feature, here is the full article:
Versatile defender, Issy Livett, has been around these parts for a few years. Having been a part of London Girls, before they became Dartford FC Women, she’s considered as one of the originals…
“I’ve known Rachel Ahern (who joined the Darts a few years ago) since our Crayford Arrows playing days, which was about twenty years ago… just shows how old we are now… HaHaHaHa… Sorry Rach! It’s great to be able to continue playing with so many great players and people.”
Since we’re on the subject, how did Issy get into the sport? “I was always football mad when I was growing up and spent all my time in an Arsenal shirt! I joined my first team, Crayford Arrows, when I was eleven and have spent every Sunday playing since then!”
Like most of us who love the beautiful game, Mondays are always better after a win at the weekend… Whether that’s Dartford and/or Arsenal… two things that Issy and yours truly have in common! And, at the time of our discussion, both the Gunners and Dartford FC Women are on good form, so there’s plenty to smile about.
After featuring for Crayford Arrows, Issy changed to the colours of the Millwall Lionesses, where she played from the ages of 14-18, before she headed off to Exeter University. She then signed for London Girls, now Dartford FC Women, and the rest is history as they say.
And, she’s made many fond memories here at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park, but her favourite has to be, “…when we won the Kent Cup for the first time… Great times with great people.”
As our conversation returns to Issy’s studies at Exeter University, it soon becomes apparent that she earns a living inside the game rather than outside of it as many of her teammates do. “I work for Nike within Sports Marketing. I’m responsible for looking after our individual sponsorships for footballers in the UK… I feel extremely lucky to be working within the sport that I love so much!”
But wait… there’s more, “…I’m lucky enough to work with a number of the England Lionesses, and every single one of them inspires me. They’re so committed to creating opportunities for the next generation and what they did during the summer will change sport for girls in this country forever.”
I’m honestly impressed. A life working within the sport whilst being able to play for ninety minutes on Sundays must be extremely rewarding. But, isn’t she too busy for anything else in her life? Issy continues, “A typical day for me includes me walking my very naughty dog, Bosun, then I’ll head off to work at Nike HQ. In the evenings, I’ll spend time with my husband Ed, where we’ll usually watch some kind of sport while we relax on our boat.”
Erm… boat? “Yes, I currently live on a boat in London. My teammates sadly know all about this, as I’m constantly moaning about how cold it is or that it’s leaking… HaHaHaHa!”
So yes, you’ve read that correctly. A footballer who works for Nike, with the England Lionesses, and lives on a boat! Oh and of course, she plays in the Dartford FC Women’s defence. And, on that note, I’ll let Issy have the final word…
“A big thank you to all the Dartford fans for your amazing support. We all feel so lucky to be part of such a brilliant club and to see and hear your support every week. We continue to work really hard and hope that we bring some trophies home this season!”
By Chris Palmer
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