“I am The Secret Footballer” – Dave Kitson opens up on writing career

Former Reading FC striker and current Maidenhead United Women’s manager Dave Kitson has revealed himself to be ‘The Secret Footballer’ – the man behind a series of books and newspaper columns from inside the football industry.

Since retiring from professional football, Kitson has put his heart and soul into non-league and grassroots football, first taking over chairmanship of his former club Arlesey Town and more recently taking on a management role with Maidenhead United Women in the FA Women’s National League.

In between he has put himself up to support the charitable exploits of Caversham United – coming out of retirement and scoring on his debut – for one game only, while launching his own mobile coaching academy and becoming a motivational speaker.

On ‘outing himself’ on the Champions Speakers YouTube channel, Kitson revealed he had never wanted to be a footballer and that he was far keener on writing.

He said: “I never set out to be a footballer. It was one of those things that just happened, I wanted to be a travel writer. I wanted to get around the world and have someone pay me to do it. So, I fell into football.”

Related: ‘Not making it as a footballer doesn’t mean you can’t have an incredible career in football’, says Dave Kitson

The video begins with the Reading 106 hero saying: “I am The Secret Footballer. I’ve never said that out loud before.”

“It was an idea that came to me when I wasn’t happy with where football was going and I needed an outlet to express it for my own mental health,” he added.

Watch Dave Kitson’s announcement on the Champions Speakers YouTube channel:

In the dugout, Kitson has had a huge impact on Maidenhead United. The Magpies are flying high in fifth in the FA Women’s National League South West Division One and have just reached a second consecutive Berks & Bucks County FA Women’s Senior Cup Final, beating MK Dons on penalties.

Speaking to Football in Berkshire’s Abi Ticehurst about the mindset Kitson has instilled in his side – and was evident in the semi-final win, defender Katie Vince said: “We all fight for each other and that’s what won us the game. We couldn’t be more proud of how our game plan was executed, to go 1-0 down and then have the right mindset to fight back and go through to the final is really rewarding for us as players and our management team.”

Maidenhead United Women are next in action at home on Sunday 22nd February (York Road) to Moneyfields. The Cup Final against Berkshire rivals Ascot United is on Sunday 15th March 2026 at Beaconsfield Town FC.