Maddie Phillips is a dynamic and hardworking player, known for her attacking mindset, aggressive approach, and relentless work ethic.
She brings a wealth of experience from a footballing journey that spans elite youth academies and international representation. Maddie’s football journey started early, playing in the Chelsea FC Women’s Academy from the U13 to U19 levels. She also captained the Elmbridge girls’ football team and the Surrey County team at various youth levels. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed, and she went on to represent England at the U18 level, a proud moment she regards as one of the highlights of her career. Maddie also gained professional experience with Charlton Athletic Women’s FC before joining Brentford in the 2023/24 season.
Off the pitch, Maddie balances her football career with a challenging job at Heathrow Airport, where she manages logistics and relationships for deliveries across various airport locations. Her role in this high-pressure environment is a testament to the discipline and teamwork she’s honed from football. She believes the values of respect, professionalism, and teamwork learned on the pitch help her thrive in both worlds. Despite her professional attitude, Maddie also brings a jokey, bubbly personality to everything she does, finding the right balance between fun and focus.
One of Maddie’s proudest moments at Brentford came when she scored at the Gtech Stadium in front of her family and friends, many of whom had never seen her play live before. Reflecting on her time at the club, Maddie emphasises resilience with her motto: “Keep moving forward.” This attitude helped her navigate challenges both in football and life, motivating her to push through and succeed.
This season, Maddie has set personal goals to create more goal-scoring opportunities from wide areas and to contribute more goals herself, helping Brentford in their push for promotion.
To young girls aspiring to play football, Maddie offers empowering advice: “Always put yourself and your happiness first, but never stop believing in yourself. No matter what other people's opinions may be, your actions decide your future.” She encourages girls to pursue their dreams with self-confidence and perseverance.
Looking ahead, Maddie sees a bright future for women’s football, particularly in the lower leagues. She hopes for more investment, larger crowds, and increased opportunities for sponsorships and recognition, changes that were once unimaginable. Maddie is passionate about leaving Brentford in a stronger position than when she joined, ensuring that future generations of young girls have even greater opportunities for success. With her drive and experience, Maddie Phillips is not only making her mark on the pitch but also helping pave the way for the future of women’s football.