Behind the Boots

Episode 1: with Naomi Bull

Phoenix literally wouldn’t exist without the absolute dedication and innovation of our esteemed chair and co-founder, Naomi. Known for her commitment to shooting at the goal, her off-pitch hollering and a reliable scent of Tiger Balm, Naomi is the very heart and soul of Phoenix.

It seems that Naomi was born with football in her blood. The game has been a part of her life from the very beginning, and it’s impossible to imagine a world where Naomi and football don’t go together. Naomi’s whole family was into the game, and everyone played.

“Looking back, football wasn’t just something I did. It was woven through my life, in every chapter, every team, every pitch.”

Perhaps then, it’s unsurprising that Naomi spearheaded the foundation of Burgess Hill Phoenix Women’s Football Club. Even in childhood she was trailblazing a way for women in the sport:

“I’ve been playing football for as long as I can remember. At school, I was the only girl on the pitch, but that never stopped me – if anything it made me love the game more.” 

“One day, at a Crystal Palace community session, literally just mucking about, a coach noticed me and invited me to a trial. I went along, loved every second of it, and from that moment football just took over.”  

It’s highly unlikely that Naomi’s version of “just mucking about” looked like how the majority of others might define the phrase. Instead, “mucking about” probably looked like some serious tekkers and a soul-deep passion for the game. This tracks given that Naomi played competitively throughout her teenage years:

“When I was 11, I joined Crystal Palace Ladies. The photo of me at 13/14 – taken at Kent County Cricket Club where we trained – captures that era perfectly. I remember those days so clearly: the early mornings, the excitement, the feeling that football was where I belonged.”

“As I got older I moved through different teams, each one adding something new. There were moments I’ll never forget: stepping onto the old Wembley turf with my school, competing in the secret scorpion competition at what used to be the Millennium Dome, playing in the FA Cup against Tottenham for Croydon Athletic, and representing Sussex at County level while at university. I even got to travel internationally on football tours!”

It's clear that football has shaped Naomi’s whole life, and inevitably contributed to the amazing woman, leader, mother, friend and teammate that we all know her to be. It’s hard to imagine who Naomi would be without the sport. Indeed, it’s impossible to imagine what Phoenix would be without her dedication, skill, warmth and guidance each week. But somehow, life’s demands took her away from the pitch for a time:

“I came back to football after a seven-year break while I was off having kids. And as much as I love my family truly more than words can ever express, I’d lost a bit of myself in the labels: wife, mum, work, repeat. I needed something that reminded me of who I was outside of all that. Football did exactly that.”

For Naomi, football had been the constant through all of life’s highs and lows. Growing up meant growing in a team, and finding her place on the pitch meant finding her place in the world. In the midst of shifting roles and identities, it’s no wonder, then, that Naomi sought security, belonging and a space to be fully herself between the touchlines.

“When I’m on the pitch, I get to be me again. It’s freedom, pure uncomplicated joy. I can just play, breathe, move and forget everything for a while. It helps me reset, recharge and show up as a better, happier version of myself for me and for everyone around me.”

Naomi’s personal experiences inspired her to set up Phoenix – with a deep commitment to the club being accessible for women who are balancing multiple roles and responsibilities in their lives.

“Our club is supportive and inclusive, a welcoming space for women of all footballing abilities to play, learn and grow.”

After years of dedication to the game, Naomi has built a club that inspires more women to discover their own love for football – a place to find belonging, pride and joy no matter what stage in their lives they come to the pitch. For Naomi, the next steps are to complete her Introduction to Coaching course, and the team sees her balancing pitch-side guidance with her usual magic in the game.

“I’m usually an attacker, give me a goal to chase and I’m happy. I’ve got a decent shot, love a bit of hold-up play and I live for that perfectly weighted, defence-splitting pass! And despite what my teammates like to joke about… I do actually pass the ball (sometimes even on purpose!)”

Even as a seasoned player with a killer shot, Naomi is quick to celebrate the talents of her teammates. When asked which skill she’s most like to borrow from another player, she shared:

“Fran’s uncanny ability to get to any ball and keep it on the pitch! Literally no matter how seemingly impossible it looks!” 

Considering that Naomi used to be a County-level sprinter, it’s saying something that she sees Fran as fast! Interestingly, athletics was Naomi’s first sporting love, and it was an injury that brought football into the spotlight:

“I was all about athletics. I was a County-level sprinter obsessed with the 100 metres, dreaming of becoming the next Marion Jones. Then I injured my ankle and everything changed. I started doing football to rebuild my fitness… What started as rehab became passion, and the rest unfolded from there.”

Naomi is no stranger to resilience. At Phoenix, that same determination is impossible to miss – we watch her give her everything for the game, even when we think she could do with a little extra rest. Tiger Balm can’t solve everything! No wonder Naomi’s three words to describe Phoenix are:

                “Never Say Die!”

Naomi’s football mantra seems to be Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” – and we’re not sure she can ever get enough football (or Michael Jackson for that matter)!

“I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan, always have been, always will be!!! I appear in an ITV News interview talking about what an inspiration he was when I went to watch him announce the ‘This Is It’ concerts at The O2.”

Just as Naomi is a lifelong fan of Michael Jackson, we at Phoenix will forever be grateful for the incredible person that Naomi is. So much of her work and commitment goes unnoticed behind the scenes, but we are deeply appreciative of the trailblazing force of our beloved manager, friend and teammate. We asked the team to describe Naomi in one word, and our choices reflect how thoroughly valued, respected and appreciated Naomi is:

“Captain. Trailblazer. Innovator. Dedicated. Confident. Loud. Shooter. Playful. Powerful. Strong. Shouter. Guide. Chief. Commander. Tiger Balm. Strong tower. Persistent. Passionate. Skilful. Encouraging. Spirited. Honest. Winner.”