Heather Payne: The life of a professional footballer

By Kevin O'Neill

The life of a professional soccer player is full of ups and downs, joy and anguish, and many twists and turns.

For Ballinasloe native Heather Payne, her seven-year professional career, which has seen her win 51 caps for the Republic of Ireland, has certainly proved the case.

Currently playing for Leicester City, after a two-year spell at Everton, 26 year-old Heather has seen it all since moving into a professional set-up at Florida State University in the United States.

She has played her part as the women's game professionalised more each year, and if anyone local is positioned to advise and encourage young female players in the midlands, it's definitely Heather.

For not only has she won major honours in the US and played at the World Cup, as well as at the top level in England, she has also suffered the downside of an intensely competitive business; her release by Everton coming as “a big shock”, and injuries restricting her outings in the last year.

Now though, she is back in full pre-season with Leicester, who she couldn't save from relegation from the English Super League last season, and seeking to regain a place in Karla Ward's Ireland squad for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs later in the year.

Going back to the start, Heather enjoyed youth soccer with Ballinasloe Town, where she cited Tony Coyne as the main inspiration. At the time, she was playing soccer in the Athlone & District Schoolboy League (there was no organised girls' soccer at that point), but her progress was such that Salthill Devon came calling at Under-14 level. She spent two years with the Galway club before joining leading women's side Peamount Utd, who were winning plenty of national league titles at the time.

Still 16, Heather said she learned a lot before, two years later, a chance presented to join Bristol City.

“I just finished secondary school (at Ardscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe) and decided to take a gap year. Moving to Bristol, on my own, was hard at 18. It was my first time away from home but it taught me a lot. I lived with two other players but you probably grow up a little,” Heather told the Westmeath Independent.

She had a chance to stay at Bristol when “a life-changing opportunity” arose, as Florida State University offered a four-year soccer scholarship, which included a course in dietetics.

“Bristol was good but women's soccer was very different to what it is now. You weren't earning enough to keep going and I was always interested in getting my education, so the US opportunity was great. I didn't have to do much research because everyone knew that America was the place to be for women soccer players. And I went on to enjoy the best four years of my life, it was life-changing,” she said.

“I didn't know what was going on, to be honest. We were treated better than some professional sports-people, getting chartered planes across America and all that. It was crazy. We were very successful and won several national titles. And if any young girl asks about America, I tell them it's a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she added.

Before that journey, Heather already played for the Irish senior team, making her debut away to Scotland, in 2018. She is now the proud holder of 51 senior appearances and has scored twice. But the highlight came when Heather was part of the Ireland squad for the 2023 Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand.

Ireland were grouped alongside Australia and played in the tournament's opening match, against the co-hosts, in front of 75,000 spectators in Sydney. Ireland narrowly lost the match, 1-0 to a penalty, and Heather played the whole match. She also started the final group game, a 0-0 draw against Nigeria, and Heather – a daughter of Brendan and Grainne Payne - described the tournament as one of the greatest experiences of her life.

“It was unbelievable. The crowds were amazing and we were unfortunate to be drawn in one of the strongest groups. It was the country's first time to qualify, so I think we did ourselves proud,” she said.

Her main objective this season is to help Leicester in its bid to return to the English Women's Super League, which hopefully, in turn, encourages Karla Ward to recall her to the international set-up.

“I've had problems with tendonitis the last year or so, and that's why I haven't made the last few squads. But I've spoken to Karla and she's been really good with me, so hopefully I will be back in the fold shortly,” Payne said.

Injuries and the memory of leaving Everton, who she joined in 2023 after America, are disappointments along the way, but also act as inspiration for Heather.

“I loved it at Everton. I loved the city and the club. It's a special club and you fall in love with it when you're playing there. And I was a Liverpool supporter growing up! But the achilles tendonitis started having an impact. Still, I was shocked when I didn't get a new contract after two great years. But these things happen and you have to keep going,” she said.

Outside the game, Heather enjoys meeting friends for coffee or dinner, and relaxing at home after training. Usually, as a professional, she arrives to the training ground for breakfast at 9am before team meetings. They train for 90 minutes and then have lunch. Gym-work, pilates and other exercise classes then take place before the players head for home about 3.30pm.

“I'll be honest, there's not much you can do when you are in-season. You have to focus on what you are paid to do. I never planned to be a professional. I didn't even think of it as a young girl. It just kinda' happened. But look, young girls have never had as many role-models and that's great. Women's soccer, and women's sport in general, is continuing to grow. But for younger players, you really need to enjoy the game. Those days, playing with your close friends, are the very best ones. If you have talent and work ethic, the opportunities will come,” Heather finished.