Karen Hills' Addicks enjoyed a successful first season as a professional outfit in England’s second tier last campaign, but it is a mass rebuild again this summer, as often is the case in the Women’s Championship.
The most notable departure is 2021/22 Player of the Season Eartha Cumings. The beaming Scottish goalkeeper has gone to join newly promoted Liverpool in The Women's Super League. Other notable names we won’t be seeing at the Oakwood next season include Welsh international trio Anna Filbey, Megan Wynne and Elise Hughes, as well as Charlton Athletic Community Trust favourites Lois Heuchan and Jess King. (Luckily, the community won’t be losing Jess, as she took on a Vanguard Officer role for CACT’s Crime Reduction Team.)
There have been seven confirmed contract extensions so far - Lauren Bruton, Emma Follis, Ella Rutherford, Mia Ross, Beth Roe, Hannah Godfrey and Kiera Skeels will be in the squad for the new season. Two players who suffered long term injuries last season (Lois Roche and Rachel Newborough) are also likely to be staying.
We have seen eight new faces come through the door:
Angela Addison - one of Karen Hills' former players during her time with Tottenham. She is a 22 year old striker who will bolster the attacking ranks for Charlton.
Freda Ayisi - the former Arsenal midfielder brings some Champions League experience. She was recruited from fellow Championship side Lewes.
23 year old full back Sophie O'Rourke and 21 year old winger Heidi Logan have also signed from Lewes who are beginning to look like the Women's Championship equivalent of Swindon Town. The latter has signed a rare two year deal.
Tegan McGowan is an 18 year old striker who has also signed a two year deal. She is a former Chelsea youngster and Welsh youth international.
Corinne Henson is an 18 year old winger who has joined from Arsenal having spent last season on loan at Watford.
Arguably the marquee signing of the summer is 32 year old midfielder Emily Simpkins who has joined from WSL side Brighton. Simpkins brings a wealth of Women’s Super League, Champions League and promotion experience. She will no doubt be a key figure in helping Karen Hills lead a young squad.
While the recruitment so far has been good, it looks to be another tough battle in the Championship with a number of teams putting strong squads together to fight for that one promotion spot to the top tier of English football.
Supporters can have an early look at the new arrivals when the women host West Ham in a friendly at The Oakwood on August 14th. The season proper starts with an away game at Southampton on August 21st and the first home game is against London City Lionesses on August 28th.