Once A Spur | Maya Vio

In each matchday programme, to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we speak to a former Spurs player to look back at their career and get their thoughts on the current side in our seventh season in the WSL.

This time, former midfielder Maya Vio reflects on progressing through our set-up to making her senior debut at 16 years old before taking the difficult decision to step away…

When did you first join the Club and how did it come about?

Maya: “I first joined the club when I was nine years old and played for the Under-10s. The late Glenn Weaver saw me playing football in the park and he wanted me to come down for a trial. He's the reason I came to Spurs, and he supported me throughout my journey. I know he would be so proud of what the Club has gone on to achieve today in the WSL.”

Talk us through your journey with the Club, from Academy level to the first team?

Maya: “After joining the Club at nine, I progressed through the youth teams - from Under-10s to Under-17s before going on to debut for the first team at the age of 16. There were many girls that came with me from Under-10s to the senior team, which was lovely. Funnily I was a striker in my youth years and I loved scoring all the goals, so I didn't realise my rightful position would actually be in midfield until I stepped up to the first team.”

How did it feel making your senior debut at the age of 16?

Maya: “It was amazing! I couldn’t quite believe it. I was so proud to be playing with the first team at such a young age and I was so grateful that the management saw that belief in me and trust me in that environment. I remember making my debut against West Ham United at Ware in October, 2013, coming on late in the second half. I was so welcomed by the girls too – it felt like I joined the family instantly."

Favourite memory while wearing the Lilywhite shirt?

Maya: “It has to be winning the league at White Hart Lane - that felt like a dream come true. It was also the first time we had names put on our shirts, so I remember walking into the dressing room and seeing all our named shirts. We had been doing so well in the league and it just so happened that the final game we got to play at White Hart Lane was the fixture we had to win to claim the league trophy. It was just incredible. We won 4-0 but, more importantly, we got to play in front of all the fans and especially our loved ones.”

In 2019, after promotion to WSL, you made the decision to step away from football – how did that come about and how difficult was it?

Maya: “It was a very difficult decision – one of the hardest of my life so far! I was thinking, ‘how do I leave the game I love when we are doing so well?’. I had gone through my A-levels and a few years of medical school whilst also playing for Spurs, having so much support from the club which I was very grateful for. But as the football got more serious, so did medical school and in the end, it was too much for me to be training four times a week alongside a weekend match whilst also being in my penultimate year of studying. Ulitmately I was burnt out and I made the decision to step away from the game. I chose to leave but also knew I'd built memories there to last a lifetime. I met incredible people that still feel like family to this day and I left at a moment that was right for me. I remember thinking ‘how have I already had some of the best memories of my life all before the age of 24!’”

You left to pursue your career in medicine – was that something you were always interested in alongside playing football?

Maya: “When I debuted for the first team, we weren't in the Women’s Super League and I was doing my exams with a plan to apply for medical school in London. I loved playing so wanted to do it for as long as I could, then I got into medical school and decided on a game plan to do both medical school and football. I was only able to do that for as long as I did due to the immense support of my family and the Spurs coaching team.”

What are you currently up to now?

Maya: “I'm currently an A&E doctor working in East London. I hope to be able to come back to the footballing world as a team doctor for matches. I'm currently working on trying to do this at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for future games, hopefully for a Women’s first team match.”

Lastly, do you still manage to keep an eye on the Club and keep in contact with any former team-mates?

Maya: “I try to keep up when I can! I think we’ve been playing well and a big highlight was reaching the FA Cup Final, which was a massive achievement for the Club. I hope we keep building on our strengths and go on to achieve great things this season. I keep up with a few of my old team-mates and it feels like no time has passed when I see them. They will always feel like family to me.”