DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET JADE CHARLTON

Saturday saw Dartford entertain Hendon at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Jade Charlton featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article:

SECTION ONE

Jade Charlton is a familiar face around these parts. The (just turned) 35-year-old goalkeeper works tirelessly for the club, both off and on the pitch, and is also a full-time mother of two delightful young boys. Not only that, she’s also a Graphic Designer, and helps run the household for her family which includes partner and Dartford FC Women joint boss Connor Dymond!

On the pitch, the shot-stopper has been in fine form so far this season, keeping three clean sheets in the Darts’ opening five league fixtures. A run of form that has seen the team collecting four straight victories since their opening day defeat at Dorking Wanderers Women.

I’m grateful that Jade managed to find the time to chat with me via WhatsApp… so, how is she?

“Hey Chris, how am I? Hmmm… very busy! It’s been mental during pre-season and into the season proper. Two kids, work… I had to work until late last night… plus we’re now training twice a week! We have a lot of social sponsors this season, so that’s increased my workload and I’m currently helping out with some video editing too. It’s all been hectic to say the least… plus, Connor fractured his cheekbone recently, so I actually have 3 kids at home! HaHaHaHa!”

Despite her busy life, this right-footed goalkeeper still finds time to help out at the club whenever she can, and keep her great sense of humour… “Yeah, I’m still working on using my left foot… HaHaHaHa!” And, her love for Dartford is written in her heart…

“I’ve got a lot of love for this team and the club as a whole. I feel that the management have great aspirations to push the team harder to reach new heights within the club. They (Connor and Martin McCarthy) really push us and get the best out of us as a team, and they’ve made some really good signings.”

She continues, “The new girls have really given us a boost. Remaining here was never in doubt for me, and my ambition is to keep my place as number one, and to beat my stats from last season. I want more clean sheets and more good performances. I’m super excited and motivated to continue giving my best and my all for the team and the club.”

Jade’s positivity and love for the club is highly infectious, and she’s a great person to have around and be around. Her kindness is always there at the surface, and she’s always one of the first to greet you and give you a warm hug. Yet, behind those wonderful personality traits lies a fierce competitiveness, a willing desire to succeed and be the best she can possibly be. And, she’s back to her brilliant best just two years on from giving birth to her and Connor’s second child…

“Well, it might not look like it… HaHaHaHa… but since last season, I’ve lost around 10kg. It was something that I needed to do, both for myself personally as well as for me to be the best I possibly can be in goal. I’ve got a long way to go, but I have a Personal Trainer to help me get there. I do my best to get to the David Lloyd gym twice a week, plus we train twice weekly as well. It’s pretty mental Chris!”

Jade has a women’s condition called Endometriosis, as well as PCOS. How does she manage these within her fitness regime?

“I have to do a lot of strength training, weightlifting and stuff. I have to be quite strict with my diet, as I do love my food, but I’ve been working on that with our nutrition coach, Dan.”

As has already been mentioned, she’s a mum of two (currently 3…) and is also a Graphic Designer for a company called KPMG, where she designs presentation bids, etc… So, how does Jade manage to balance it all?

“I have to be very organised on my lunch break at work Chris. I’ll go and meet my PT, who helps me. Work are very good and flexible. As long as I complete 7 hours of work each day, they’re happy. I get Fridays off, so I try to structure my fitness around the kids being at school and pre-school. All of this has been a massive win.”

Looking back, Jade had a rather unique journey towards making it as a goalkeeper. It all began when she started kicking tennis balls around with the boys at her primary school. She enjoyed it so much that she begged her parents to find her a team, despite already being enrolled in the Girl Guides and Karate! Once they did, she fell in love with the sport…

“Yeah, I was also tall. They needed a goalkeeper, so they shoved me in goal and I’ve never looked back… would you believe that I’ve only had proper goalkeeper training during the last five years! Before that, everything was me guessing and hoping I was doing the right thing!”

Whatever Jade did certainly helped, as she started off at London Girls in their U16s, before a short and unhappy spell with Millwall Lionesses shot her confidence. However, her mum pulled her out of there and Jade hasn’t looked back since, and believes that she has progressed as a goalkeeper.

“Yes, personally I’ve taken my role a little more seriously over the past five years or so. I kind of wish I’d done it sooner but, when I was younger, I was just doing it to have fun. And, I made the best of friends with someone who I still see today. Initially, I had no aspirations of ever being professional, which I do regret a little. But, I believe in myself and in my talents a lot more now than I did back then.”

Everything happens for a reason. And, her journey has brought her to Dartford where she’ll always be written in the club’s history books. There’s not many players who would return to action straight after having a child, let alone two!

“Doesn’t that just show how much I love the sport and the club Chris… HaHaHaHa! I know a few people who stopped playing once they’d had kids. I was like, nope, I can’t give up yet. I’ve loved how my footballing career has panned out so far. I’ve learnt more during the last three seasons than I ever did before. I’ve met life-long friends here. Some of the people here have Dartford in their blood. They’re amazing and I love meeting these and new people.”

What about the future? What does that look like for Jade?

“I would dearly love for us to reach the Women’s National League and be able to play in it. That’s my immediate dream Chris. Longer term, I’ve always said that I’d love to leave a legacy behind for the Dartford FC Women’s side. I hope to inspire the younger generation, especially young girls.  Having football in my life has giving me the best life-time experience I could ever ask for. It’s given me memories I’ll never, ever forget, and it’s certainly kept me out of trouble. I love seeing the youngsters at our games, and I love hearing them shouting my name, waving at me, and asking questions. I love the fact that I’m a part of Dartford FC Women’s history.”

And that, right there is her legacy. Jade Charlton will always be remembered not only as a Dartford FC Women goalkeeper, but also a champion of the club as a whole and of the younger generation.

As her work and children call, it’s time for our conversation to finish. So, it’s only fair to let Jade say a few words to the Dartford supporters…

“To the fans, I’d really like to say that, if the men don’t play on a Saturday, you should really try to get down and watch us play on a Sunday. Just try and watch us once. I feel that you’ll get hooked on us if you do. We really do play for the shirt and we work hard (both on and off the pitch). We train hard, and I feel that we are valuable to this club. If you watch us play, you’ll see all this. We really want to see a new generation of fans, schools, and kids watching us play, as well as families and individuals of course. I just want the people to see our work ethic and how hard we work and play for each other, as well as the club. So, please come down and support us. Give us a chance, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

SECTION TWO

Faith or Superstition?
I can be very superstitious. We had a changing room dance last season. We couldn’t start warm up with out doing it. We started it this season and lost against Dorking… the dance hasn’t been done since! HaHaHaHa!

Favourite Food?
Food. Right, this is hard hahaha! If it’s a home cooked meal from my Mum, then definitely Shepherd’s Pie. If I’m getting a takeaway, it’s a Chinese.

Favourite Drink?
I do love a sugary cup of tea but I’m a Rose kind of girl.

TV Series or Film?
TV series all day long.

Music or Podcast?
Music. I will listen to anything.

Sporting Hero?
I loved David Beckham Goalkeeper-wise, Peter Schmeichel or David Seaman. But for women, it has to be Mary Earps.

Non-Sporting Hero?
This is a hard one, but it has to be one of my best friends, Danielle. She is one of the most intelligent, loyal, and motivating people that I know.

Do you follow any other sports besides football?
I would actually watch any sport, apart from golf Zzzzz! There are so many inspirational people out there sporting-wise. I’m a big sports fan.

Biggest influence in the dressing room?
Lizzie Adams is the biggest influence.

What football players, past or present, would make up your dream five-a-side team?
Peter Schmeichel (ex-Manchester United)
Rodri (Manchester City)
Keira Walsh (Barcelona)
David Beckham (ex-Real Madrid)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

By Chris Palmer

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