This Sunday at the women’s first team home game vs Denham United, it will be Daisy Davis‘s last game of the season as she’s packing up and jetting off Down Under to pursue a new opportunity in Sydney.
Team captain Verity Phillips said: “Daisy trialled with the Women’s 1st team last summer, during previous Coach Claudio‘s final weeks with the team. He saw the potential in Daisy, however clearly the travel bug is part of her DNA as she spent the first month of the season in Canada, returning to us at the end of September.
“Her first game with us was our fixture vs Welling United away in the Cup on 8th October. We played three at the back with Annie Lyons, myself and Daisy and won the game comfortably. In that game, Daisy slotted in like she’d played with us for years, and put on a defensive masterclass for 90 minutes, including a goal line clearance and the like! Annie and I exchanged multiple glances at each other throughout the game: this girl is good!
“Just three days later we had our midweek league fixture vs Hackney at home where, during the warm-up, Annie broke her ankle, ending her season devastatingly early. Daisy stepped into Annie’s role with ease, and the new centre back partnership between her and I began.
“Daisy is effortlessly cool under pressure, and has covered my back more times than I can remember. She’s fiercely competitive and hates to lose, and has been known to take the ‘aggravating striker’ role on corners if she knows we really need to win.
“Off the pitch, she’s a huge Clapton CFC fan. Spending more time than most at the men’s first team games (I wonder why?) and always keen to chat with our volunteers who make this club so special. She has a deep found appreciation for Clapton, and we do also for her. We wish her all the best as she takes off on a new adventure, but she will be hugely missed as we enter the last three challenging games to finish up our season. We hope to see her again on the Clapton pitch in the future.”
Jay Murray, women’s first team head coach, added: “Daisy has been a mainstay at the heart of our defence since my arrival her performances have been both equally consistent and cultured. A natural born defender that’s also equipped with the ability to pick a pass and the composure to do so under pressure. Daisy will definitely be missed both on and off the pitch with her attitude and commitment to the team and the club. Since hearing the news the coaching staff have seriously considered apprehending her passport ,but settled for making it very clear to Daisy that the door is always open.”
Daisy herself said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed playing football at Clapton this season. I just want to thank the girls and the Clapton community for making me feel so welcomed and one of the team. Playing in front of the fans has truly been an atmosphere like no other. I have loved being a part of the back four and a highlight of mine would be winning 3-0 away against Denham. Hoping to do the same on the 7th April and end on a high in my last game of the season. I will miss everyone and hope to return someday!”