It has been a summer of change so far for the women’s team.
The most significant of all are the changes to the league structure. For starters, the WSL Championship is no more and the Addicks are now a Women's Super League Two side. This season’s competition also sees an extra automatic promotion spot and the opportunity for the third place side to compete in a play off with the side who finish bottom of the WSL. Had the change been in place for last season it would have meant a Charlton v Crystal Palace play off.
On the pitch there will be significant squad turnover. Mel Filis, Beth Roe, Mary Bashford, Ellie Brazil, Jess Gray, Francesca Stables, Katie Godden, Kayleigh Barton and Sophie O’Rourke have all left the club following the expiration of their contracts and Greta Humphries will return to parent club Chelsea.
Gloria Siber, Karin Muya, Elisha N’Dow, Keira Skeels, Charlotte Newsham and Mia Ross have all put pen to new contracts. Ross is back training with the squad having recovered from an ACL injury sustained in September.
New signings are starting to arrive. Last week defender Lucia Lobato signed from Marseille. Although only 24 she brings experience of playing in four different countries. Earlier this week 22 year old midfielder Gillian Kenney joined from South Shore Select in the USA and on Thursday forwards Mary McAteer and Ellie Mason arrived from Sunderland and Birmingham respectively.
Addicks fans will hope that these new signings and the contract extensions in particular of Siber, Ross and Skeels signal intent to target those extra promotion spots. This season is the best chance the club will have to get promoted and it makes sense to really go for it.
It is worth remembering too that season tickets are now available. The price for eleven games is £45 for an adult, £25 for over 65s and under 18s pay just £10. In addition, season tickets include free entry to League Cup games and half price tickets for the FA Cup.
Lets make sure to get down to SE7 in numbers and push Karen Hills’s side to promotion.