Hello everyone, my name is Daisy, I'm 18 years old and I am setting up this fundraiser during what has been the most difficult and challenging period of my football career so far. Unfortunately, I have suffered a full rupture to my ACL and a radial tear in my lateral meniscus and if I want to be back playing football, I need surgery and loads of rehab.

Football has never just been a hobby- its my passion and something I have dedicated my live to everyday since I was 5. Ive spent years working towards my dream of becoming a pro footballer, making sacrafices, overcoming challenges and taking every opportunity that has come my way. As a young athlete I have experienced minor set backs like smaller, more managable injuries- but this is different. ACL is a term you hear in the sporting world often, espcially in the women's game- I never imagined I would have to experience this in my life, but now that it is, its hard to process and actually comprehend that it's real...

My Football Journey :)

I began playing football 5 years old, I just quit ballet classes and insisted to my mum it was boring- so my dad thought he'd buy me a forest kit, oversized shin pads and some boots. And that was it! I joined a local boys team called Emmanuel, where a lot of the boys in my class played. Safe to say I absolutley loved it, I remember my first megz on one of my team mates- afterwards I was running around, laughing, doing cartwheels and I didnt stop talking about it for the rest of the day.

I won't bore you with all the different teams I played for growing up - but there is a team which changed the course of my journey.

I moved to Allexton and New Parks u13s, where I played as a left winger. One game, a scout was there watching and I was the only girl to be scouted. My parents informed me he was from Leciester city scout RTC and offered me a trial for the team! I was carried through to Leicester Academey U13s when the RTC dispanded and I was offered a spot in the team. From that point onwards, each season I was given a new contract without a retrial. But when it came to the u21s, I was told I wasn't in the clubs plans for the following season- this was heartbreak for me, academy football is brutal, but I wasnt ready to give up.

Instead I moved to Derby County, where I experienced another milestone- at just 16 years old, I was offerend an u21s contract, completely skipping the u18s age group, just after 1 training session! I settled into the team and continued to develop and thrive. One of the biggest highlights was winning the Reserve League Cup at St Georges Park in March 2025. I was also regularly training with the first team and featured in their pre-season and post-season games. Last summer, I training with the first team in pre-season, hoping to be a part of the squad for the 25/26 season, however I was told I was not quite ready yet, so I got sent out on loan to another team...

Where I am Today :)

I am currently out on loan to Northampton Town women, playing in the 4th tier of the women's football pyramid (Derby are a league above). Last season, at 18 years old I started and played in every game- I was also nominated for Player of the Season and I also won Young Player of the Season.

My Education and Future Ambitions :)

As well as football, I've always made sure to work hard academically and build a future for myself within the sporting world.

In secondary school I received grades of 6 and above in all my subjects.

Then I went on to do the football and education programme with Derby County in partnership with Derby University where I studied a Sports BTEC and achieved a Distinction Star.

I'm now studying a Bachelor's degree in Strength and Conditioning at Loughborough University.

One of my long term goals is to become a sports performance coach working with youth athletes in football teams, to help them reach their full potenital.

My ACL Injury :(

Suffereing an ACL injury has been devastating, as soon as I went down in the game, I just knew what I had done. After spending most of my life working towards being the best footballer I can be, the thought of being away from the pitch for such a long period of time is incredibly difficult.

An injury of this magnitude involves much more than an operation - it means a lengthy rehabilitation process, ongoing physiotherapy, specialist support and months of hard work before I can even set foot on a pitch again. After surgery, I have to learn to walk again- something you learn in the first 2 years of life. I have to learn to trust myself again to be able to move forward. As much as this process is about the physical milestones, its about mentality too.

I've therefore decided to set up this fundraiser to help towards the costs of my surgery and rehabilitation. In the women's game, especially in the leagues below WSL2, insurance and a lot of other things are expensive and are not funded by the club. It will also help ease the financial pressure of not being able to work my part time job. Being able to focus on my recovery without the added financial pressure will make an enourmous difference.

If you have made it this far, any donation, no matter how big or small would mean the world to me. Every contribution will help me take another step forwards to surgery, recovery and eventually get back to doing what I love.

If you are unable to donate, please share this fundraiser with family, freinds and your wider network, it would be appreciated just as equally.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my journey so far. Your kindness, generosity and encouragement will mean more than you could ever imagine.

Thank you for being a part of my journey <3