Brentford Women attacker Abbi Smith lives and breathes football.
In fact, the Brentford no.15 lives and breathes sport.
She has done so since her grassroots days playing for Hannakins Farm, through to time spent with the Essex Centre of Excellence, Arsenal Academy, Ipswich Town, Billericay Town and now the Bees.
It has extended into her work, with Smith plying her trade as a football coach, working with all ages and abilities in one-on-one and group sessions, as well as school visits.
Away from the pitch, padel has become a staple within her family’s life, while basketball and skiing have always played big roles for the 21-year-old.
Coming from a competitive family, it’s no wonder that Smith has excelled throughout her career in multiple sports.
“I live and breathe football; any football games that I can, I’ll go and watch. Any time that I can play football, I will play. I just love it, both watching and playing; it brings a smile to my face,” she explained.
“I live and breathe football, any football games that I can watch I’ll go and watch, any time that I can play football I will play. I just love it, both watching and playing, it brings a smile to my face"
“I really like to play padel at the minute… we’re quite a competitive family. Sometimes we’ll go and play padel as a family, and it gets quite competitive.
“When I was a kid, I represented county and region in basketball, so I really enjoy basketball. If I got to go to America, I’d love to go and watch an NBA game; that’d be really cool.
“We go skiing as a family… we mainly go to Livigno in Italy, which is a really nice place, and obviously I love Italian food… I’d love to go to Colorado in America.”
It’s been an up-and-down football journey for Smith, dealing with multiple releases throughout her junior career.
They are setbacks that have helped drive the midfielder to improve, however, which has seen Smith start every game this season at the time of writing in her first campaign with the Bees, while scoring three goals and registering two assists.
“At Arsenal I got released, which was really tough. Being there five years, I was captain at Under-14s and Under-16s, so that was really hard to hear,” she explained.
“All the rejections, they set you up for something else, and what’s meant to be will be. You’ve just got to get on with it and keep going and keep working towards the dream.
“My family have been a massive support in my career and still are to this day. I wouldn’t be the player or person I am without them; they’ve just been with me every step of the way.”
Throughout her time with Arsenal, Smith played alongside the likes of Michelle Agyemang and Freya Godfrey, the latter a friend from their days playing grassroots.
“She’s still to this day one of my really close friends; I talk to her quite a bit, so it’s really nice,” said Smith.
“We were at Hannakins Farm together and then we were also at Arsenal for a period of time together, so we’re really close.
“I really admire Freya; she’s gone on to have an unbelievable career and one that she’s worked really hard for. I’m really happy for her and really proud of her.
“It’s quite funny, at Arsenal I was a left-back and she was a winger, but now since Ipswich I’ve moved into that more attacking role, I’ve 100 per cent asked her for a bit of advice on that attacking mindset.”
“At Arsenal I was a left-back and she was a winger! But I’ve moved into that more attacking role... I’ve 100 per cent asked her for a bit of advice on that attacking mindset"
Smith has settled in beautifully to the attacking role at Brentford, starting in all 13 games to date and building clear chemistry with the group in the early stages of the season.
“It’s been really good, it’s been really nice to come into a professional environment, and it’s a privilege to play here. The girls are really nice and welcoming, and it’s a challenging environment, which is a good thing,” she said.
“I’m feeling challenged in my position; the opposition each week is different, so it’s a different challenge. It’s just really enjoyable and a really nice, together environment.
“I get on well with all the girls. I’ve really enjoyed playing in midfield in that 10 role with Katie [Gilligan] and understanding her strengths and where she’ll want the ball and where she’ll be on the pitch.
“As an attacking midfielder, goal contributions are what you want and, to be fair, I’d like to contribute a bit more if I can, making sure that I’m putting away the opportunities that I get.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the 2026/27 campaign, Smith outlined clear goals for herself and the team.
“Personally, I just want to contribute as much as possible and help the team achieve our team goal, which is promotion,” she explained.
“We’re a really experienced side and the togetherness that we all show is great, so that’s a positive.
“If I can be the best player I can be, then I can help achieve our team goal, which is promotion. Other than that, just go as far as we can in the FA Cup and win some cups too.”
The Bees turn their attention to the League Cup on Sunday, a second-round trip to face AFC Greenwich Borough next up on the list, kick-off at 2pm.