King to Raise Us Up

Jen O’Neill’s feature on the Lewes FC forward and her rap track Raise Us Up, released on 1 June and backed by the club’s Equality FC campaign. King explains that the chorus makes the point that women want more and want respect, without simply being a complaint with a negative vibe. She credits Lewes roommate Katie Rood for nagging her to do something with her poetry, which led to a conversation at the club and then a producer. Her mother, who played for Hoylake and Leasowe Pacific before they became Everton, is proud of her for being brave enough to speak on behalf of others. King hopes for Merseyside radio play but has prepared for the song reaching only the women’s football community. She is candid about a disappointing season juggling work with Age UK and cleaning, and about longing to return to full-time football.