Matchday Diary | Abbi Jenner

First thing

I try not to wake up too early on a matchday because I love my sleep. Waking up too early is almost worse, so I try to leave it until 45 minutes before I need to leave. That gives me enough time to look at my phone for a bit, eat and get ready. I don’t like to sit around not doing anything, I’d rather get it all done, then go.

Food and drink

I always eat the exact same thing every matchday as well as on the Saturday evening, which some of the girls do come at me for because it’s chicken and sweet potato. It’s obviously not what most people would usually be having for breakfast on a Sunday! It’s not something that I’ve always eaten, but only since I’ve been consistently playing minutes, during last season and this season. I don’t really like breakfasts, so I used to struggle to find something to eat on a matchday, but I know that once I’ve eaten what I do, I feel fuelled. I have to not look at the time and just eat it because I know it’ll get me through a match. I also take my own yoghurt with me to eat when I get to the stadium and I have to have a Squares bar before I go out for the match – even if it’s just a bite.

Talking a good game

I’ll speak to my parents on the morning. My dad will always speak to me about the game and tell me to do my thing and remind me that I’m a no-nonsense defender at times and that I don’t need to be and that I know where ‘row Z’ is if I need it. I’ll talk to my mum as well, but it’s normally chatting to my dad about tactics. When I get to the ground, I have my little group who I’m close to, but we don’t really talk about the game, usually just general random chat.

On the headphones

I always just listen to Olivia Dean on repeat! I think she’s just the best, no matter what mood you’re in, and it brings me familiarity. I don’t want anything new, just what I’m used to, so I’d stick my playlist on shuffle and whatever comes on is fine for me. Something just to chill me out.

Bus buddies

I’m usually always with Abi [Loydon], and I’ll be sitting with her or opposite her, and also Louanne [Worsey], G [Georgia Marshall] and Quigs [Racheal Quigley]. There’s usually four or five of us around the table, but depending on if it’s a long coach journey, then we’ll be rotating, because we get sick of each other! But that’s usually our little group.

At the ground

I’ll always put my stuff in the changing room first and then I’ll go and check out the pitch. For me, it’s knowing what boots I’ve got to wear, especially because most of the forwards will just wear moulds whenever, but as a centre-back I need to know what I’m wearing. The pitches are a big thing for me, especially in our league, because the pitches can really change the way you play, but it’s not only the surface, but also the pitch size. For example, Rugby Borough’s pitch is tiny compared to Telford or Molineux, so it’s completely different. I always like to go and check out the pitch, even if it’s just a quick walk around for two or three minutes, just see what it’s like and see if there’s any bad spots to avoid – especially in this weather.

Game mode

If I have too much time to prepare, I’ll overthink situations. I like that once we come in from the warm-up, we have about five minutes, but I have so many things to do that I don’t have time to think. I take my boots off, put new socks on, put my shirt on, put my boots back on, and it feels like most of the girls get ready quicker than me, but I give myself longer so it means I’m not thinking about the game. I just try to keep myself distracted and then the next thing you know, Macca will be talking and then we’re ready to go.

Post-match plans

My routine after the game doesn’t really change whether we have a good result or not. I always like to get in the shower and kind of reset. Then usually I like to stay around and talk to the girls, not even about the match but more social than anything else. Sometimes we’ll talk about the game and things, but more often than not it’s something else. Then I like to come home and spend time relaxing with my family and have a meal with them, which I really enjoy because I’m not really home that much as I’m busy in the week with work and training, so it’s nice to have time to spend with family. Then I try to get an early night and get ready for the week because before you know it, it’s Monday morning again.

Switching off

I do find it easy to switch off, usually because I’m always so tired! A 90-minute match really does take it out of you. I realise when I haven’t had a game and I can’t switch off, it’s because I haven't actually been running around for 90 minutes, so that’s why I’m not tired. But on a matchday, it’s mentally a lot, physically a lot, so I’m ready for bed and will be asleep before 10 o’clock because I know my best form of recovery is sleep. I know that if I get a good sleep, I’ll wake up better.

This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2025/26 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.