These days it is increasingly rare that a young footballer has the opportunity to meet their idol face to face, but Abi Chiverton is a rare young footballer. Then five-year-old Abi and her Dad, Ian, a lifelong Portsmouth fan attended a Portsmouth Ladies fixture. It was Abi’s first ever game in 2016 and she met Lauren Peck before kick-off.
Fulham FC Women’s player Peck, then at Portsmouth, made an instant connection with the Chiverton family and quickly became young Abi’s footballing role model.
“I had seen Ian’s tweet before the game and knew it was quite a special day for Abi at her first game,” Peck said. “When I spotted them during my warm-up and waved you could see Abi’s smile straight away. From then on Abi was always coming to our games and her Dad made up posters of our team to put on her walls.”
Abi, now nine years old, said players like Peck inspired her to give football a go. “Watching the women play, it made me want to play football. Lauren was really chatty and really nice to me, it was so nice.”
Peck and Dad Ian were both encouraging Abi to begin her own footballing journey and soon Abi signed up for the local boys’ grassroots side. When it came time for Abi’s first training session it was Peck’s turn to be smiling from the side lines, making a surprise appearance to cheer on her young fan.
Both have since made Fulham home, with Peck encouraging the determined Abi to take advantage of Fulham FC Foundation’s Player Pathways programme to advance her game. Abi, a tough tackling defender, is the only girl in her age group at Player Pathways but that does not faze her one bit.
“I’ve been down to watch Abi at her Fulham sessions,” Peck continued. “She really holds her own amongst the boys. Playing with the boys at that age is the best way to push yourself. Abi has my number so we text after games, talk through feedback. She just wants to do so well in everything she does.
“It’s always really nice and a good atmosphere in the Player Pathway programme,” Abi said. “Even though I’m a different gender they treat me the same way. I like to play people who enjoy playing football and are there for improving and becoming a better player. It just feels like what I’m meant to do.”
Abi says her passion for football and her progress in the game is owed to her biggest supporter, Dad Ian. “My Dad has helped me a lot. He’s always by my side when I’m on the football pitch, he helps me all the time. It’s just amazing.”
Peck sees similarities between her own family and the Chivertons as well. “Ian and Abi remind me very much of my Dad, taking me to and from games, watching training session every week. They have such a strong bond because of football. I’ve known them around five years now and I see them as my family as well.”
Despite the recent lockdowns, Abi has been kept busy, getting involved in a number of online Fulham FC Foundation webinars and practicing from home three or four times a week. When conversation turns to the future, and Abi following in the footsteps of some of the players, she admits it’s Peck again that comes to mind. “She’s just a really good player. I admire her because she is really talented, and I just think she has put in a lot of hard work when you see her play. I want to grow up to be like her because she’s hard working, determined and nice.”
By all accounts Abi has all three characteristics in abundance and is well on her way in following Peck’s journey into senior football!
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