Olivia has received national media coverage recently for her huge efforts as one of the nurses carrying out the vaccine programme at Elland Road. The club are immensely proud of her work, and that of all our NHS heroes, as we continue the battle against COVID-19.

Away from the frontline, we got to know the defender a little better, in a time where the pandemic has stopped Leeds United Women from playing matches. 

Olivia, can you tell us a bit about what you get up to away from football and work?

“When I’m not at work and not at football, I am surrounded by friends and family. I have been part of a group of girls that all went to school together and all live within 10 minutes of each other, which is amazing. When we’re not in a lockdown, we’re always together!  

“My grandparents are massive people in my life, my two Grandma’s are top of the leaderboards in the Smart family for me, they’re both close by and my other half looks after me well at home too, so no complaints. I’m Leeds born and bred, I was born at Jimmy’s.

"I have a twin sister who is close by and is my best mate, she keeps me sane and away from anything medical because she hates it! So she gives me a nice break from work. I am lucky to have such a nice family and be so well looked after at home.”

So on the pitch, how did your footballing journey begin?

“I started playing for my local boys team in the Under 7s for Kippax Athletic. My dad always encouraged my sister and I to play football, he absolutely loved it and was pretty good at it himself. I became obsessed with it and to be fair, I was pretty good at it. My grandma has kept all the newspaper clippings that I found myself in! I played as a striker, no idea how, but I scored a few then luckily got scouted for Leeds when I was 10, I went straight up to Thorp Arch and here we are today. 

“I still love football now, but back then I was totally obsessed, it was all I wanted to do. I got shin pads for Christmas and football boots from grandparents. My sister and I in three-piece football kits is not how she wanted life to go, but that’s what happened! 

“I never lost my love for it as I grew older, my friends and family kept supporting me and when I got to 18 I think I could have gone on to play football in different places and I was offered scholarships. I decided to get a job and stay at home and that meant I can stay at Leeds United Women too!”



How does it feel to represent the club you love and can you tell us about yourself as a player? 

“I'm a left-back nowadays, I think I'm known as ‘the defender who doesn’t defend’, I get shouted at all the time, I am always in trouble! I like to consider myself a box-to-box wing-back but I do love attacking and putting the ball in the box. I love a left-peg, and I'm not even left footed, work that one out! I am pretty nippy, but not as nippy as I used to be, but I am better than some and not as good as others.

“When I put a Leeds United shirt on, it’s such a privilege. Being able to get changed in the changing rooms at Elland Road, then go out and play on a pitch that I have watched Champions League games on, whilst my family are watching me from the East Stand… it’s just all a massive honour for me."

Women’s football is getting bigger around the world which is great. Just how much does it mean to you that you can play for the team you love and help to grow the sport in the city you’re from?

“Women’s football is tough. It’s such a varied standard which makes the league very hard as there are always a few teams together at the top, at the end. The last few years for us as a club, we’ve made massive steps forward as a team. We’ve had some glory days in the past and then some dark ones, a bit like the men’s team. I think now we’ve stabilised it, the club are fully supporting us and there is a structure in place for us to go ahead. We will be successful again, and especially in these times, we’ve just got to be patient. 

“I think it’s a testament to Andrea and the ethos he has brought into the club, we’ve felt a change and we are so well supported. We all feel the stability and it truly is one big family, that is truly the best way to describe it. I feel it is vital to support women’s sport and to encourage young girls to take part, it’s vital in their development. 

“It’s hard to explain to people just how much this club means to you if you’re a fan. I used to go to presentation nights at Elland Road, where Alan Smith or Matthew Kilgallon would be presenting awards for us. For me, that was the epitome of being cool and I have never lost that love for the club. Even in League One, all the darker days of Leeds United, myself and my family never stopped supporting Leeds United. It’s a privilege to be part of this club in brighter days now.”