Behind the Boots

Episode 3: introducing Jude Wilding

Not all Phoenix football stories begin with childhood obsessions, family legacies, or lifelong fandoms. Some stories begin with disinterest in the game, and the learned expectation that “girls weren’t allowed to play football”. Our team is made up of phenomenal women who came to the pitch seasoned in life, curious, and ready to discover something new. They bring with them full, busy and complex lives – and along the way become absolutely central to everything we do. Our beloved Jude’s story echoes this:

“Mine is not a classic tale of a lifelong love of the game. In fact, I had no interest in playing or watching it for most of my life. Girls weren’t allowed to play football when I was at school… so it totally passed me by.”

With no football influences growing up, and no opportunities to play at school, football simply didn’t feature in Jude’s world until an unexpected morning in 2021.

“My very first kick of a football (that I remember) was in summer 2021. My boxing/circuit coach got a group together to have a kickaround in the park one Sunday morning… I just went along for some exercise, but with my second touch of the ball I scored a goal! It was such a great feeling – I was hooked!”

It’s no surprise that Jude scored a goal on her second touch of the ball – her commitment is unrivalled, and she doesn’t do things by halves!

“I have loads of hobbies, but never find enough time to devote to them… With football there’s so much to learn, not just the technical skills of how to actually kick a ball but also learning about the game itself – the positioning, the tactics, the formations and the rules. It’s a constant learning curve and when you’re playing, it’s completely absorbing.”

What started as a casual Sunday kickabout quickly became a weekly ritual, and in 2022 Jude took her love of the game to the next level, joining a women’s over-30s football training session, and eventually joining Bobcats at Lancing Festival.

[Ed’s note: I remember meeting Jude at Lancing – my first impression of her was that she seemed like a lovely person, and nothing I have learned about her since has changed that!]

“I was terrified – playing a ‘real’ game of football with a ref and rules was very daunting. I remember someone asking me what position I played and I had no idea – we just ran around everywhere on a Sunday!”  

For those who know Jude now – our midfield maestro, our coach, our warm-up lead, our sideline cheerleader, our tactical strategist – it’s impossible to imagine that she might have been terrified, or not know the positions on the pitch. Now, Jude is at the centre of our club – both on the pitch and behind the scenes.

“I mainly play centre mid. I enjoy being in the heart of the game – plus, in the centre it’s harder to be in the wrong place.”

Jude somehow manages to be everywhere all at once – from leading play in the centre of the pitch, to designing the very badge we wear, her impact runs deep. She isn’t just central in the way that she plays, she is part of the fabric of the club itself. As the designer behind the Burgess Hill Phoenix crest, she has quite literally shaped our identity. The badge we proudly wear carries her creativity, her commitment to growth, and the fire of her passion for the game. Behind the scenes, as a long-term committee member and now also one of the coaching team, she contributes more than we will probably ever appreciate to the running of the club. Other committee members have tried several times to come up with a job title that covers everything that Jude does, and it’s an impossible task – maybe ‘Multitalented Legend’ might just about do it.

Jude’s presence – her willingness to step up, support, guide and contribute wherever is needed – makes her integral to the team, and loved by all. Even while Jude naturally deflects the spotlight, we cannot help but see her shine – her uniqueness and value is undeniable.

Jude may not have grown up with football, but she’s grown into it in a way that feels entirely her own. In doing so, she’s become an inspiration to all the women arriving later to the game. A reminder that with a playful spirit, a commitment to learn and perhaps a dash of competitiveness, anyone can grow and develop in the game. Even now, having just celebrated her 50^th birthday, Jude is still pushing herself to improve.

“I’ve been working on putting more power into my kicks (thanks Sheen) and always trying to improve my touch and ball control. I’m also trying to be better at taking on a player and moving with the ball.” 

This determination is felt across the whole team. Jude gently encourages everyone to be the best player they can be, her steadfast encouragement and grounded presence making others believe that it’s all possible. Off the pitch this commitment to development shows up everywhere.

“I’m an amateur photographer and shoot mainly black and white film with a 60s Rolleiflex twin lens camera… I’m currently learning to knit (my first attempt is a bit holey but it’s a start), I learned to solder at Christmas (an essential skill when you have an old motorbike), and I’m learning to embroider.”

This eclectic mix of hobbies, alongside her love of music, art, historic motorsport and everything vintage, feels like a perfect reflection of Jude herself. She is far more expansive, layered and unexpected than first impressions might suggest. Jude is phenomenal – and bloody cool, as anyone who has seen her iconic van will know!

Just as Jude balances a number of vastly different hobbies off the pitch, she found it impossible to pick just one player when asked what skill she would like to borrow from a teammate.

Jude is proof that there is no one way into football – and there is no limit to what you can bring when you arrive to the pitch. Her three words about Phoenix say it all:

                “Empowering. Supportive. Fun.”

And, somehow, Jude manages to be all three at once. Here at Phoenix, we couldn’t love her more! We asked the squad how they would describe our beloved teammate Jude, and they shared:

“Vital. Legend. Kind. Lovely. Thoughtful. Talented. Creative. Calming influence. Team player. Adorable. Retro. Little northern captain. Indefatigable. Vintage. Classic. Super fit. Force of nature. Calming influence. Team player. Encouraging. Reliable. Leader. Fun. Loveable. Positive. Beloved. Persistent. Surprising.”