Olivia Rabjohn, a midfielder for West Bromwich Albion, and her sister Evie Rabjohn, a defender for Manchester United, have both had similar journeys in their football careers, but their paths are now set to cross in a unique way. The sisters, who have been close throughout their careers, found themselves eagerly anticipating the FA Cup fourth-round draw, knowing their teams were destined to face each other. Unfortunately, Evie, who has been recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, won’t be able to take part in the match. Despite this, the excitement remains high as both siblings prepare for an emotional encounter.
The match, set to take place at Leigh Sports Village, will have a bittersweet edge for the Rabjohn family. While Evie’s injury means she won’t be on the pitch, she will still be supporting from the sidelines, and family members are expected to attend in support of both players. Olivia admits that the situation is unusual, as she and Evie have rarely had the chance to watch each other play, given their careers have often overlapped in terms of scheduling. Despite the circumstances, Olivia is grateful for the opportunity to have her family present at the match, even if they will be divided in their loyalties.
The sisters’ football careers have followed a similar trajectory. Olivia was scouted by West Bromwich Albion after playing for a grassroots team, and Evie followed in her footsteps, eventually joining the same club. Both players moved on to Birmingham City’s academy and later transferred to Aston Villa’s under-21s. Although they never had the chance to play together in Villa’s first team due to their different age brackets, they did share a pre-season experience. Olivia recalls how difficult it was to see her younger sister thrive while she struggled to break into the first team.
The two sisters made their senior debuts together in November 2021, in a League Cup match against Sheffield United, but their paths soon diverged. Olivia moved to Coventry United in search of more playing time before returning to West Brom in 2024. Meanwhile, Evie signed with Manchester United in 2023, where she has since become a key player. Despite playing in different leagues now, Olivia has no regrets about her decision to move down to the third-tier Northern Premier Division with West Brom. She believes that dropping down the leagues can be beneficial for young players looking to gain experience and playing time, as the competition for spots in top-flight teams is fierce.
For West Brom, the FA Cup match against Manchester United represents a rare opportunity to face a top-tier team, and Olivia is determined to make the most of it. She describes the game as a “free hit” for her team, with no pressure on them to win. However, she recognizes the challenge ahead, as Manchester United is a full-time professional team with superior fitness and technical skills. Olivia believes that the mental aspect of the game will be crucial, and her team will need to stick to their principles and support one another throughout the match.
West Brom’s FA Cup form has been a bright spot in an otherwise difficult league campaign, with the team having struggled in recent months. However, their cup run has kept spirits high, and Olivia is optimistic about the lessons they can learn from facing a team like Manchester United. If West Brom were to pull off an upset, Olivia knows her sister would never let her live it down, adding a touch of sibling rivalry to the occasion.
