Charlton Athletic Women are back in the Women's Super League (WSL) for the first time in nearly 20 years after securing promotion through a playoff victory over Leicester City at the Valley. The team, managed by Karen Hills, will now compete in the top flight, 20 years after the club's successful women's side was disbanded following the men's team's relegation from the Premier League.
Promotion and last season's performance
Charlton impressed for much of last season, going on a 27-game unbeaten streak and boasting the meanest defence in WSL 2. However, a mid-season blip affected their title race, and they lost out to Birmingham City on the final day of the season, ultimately going through a playoff to achieve their goal of promotion. Beating Leicester in that game has given Hills and her players confidence that they can compete, but there will be no complacency, having seen how newly promoted sides have fared in recent history.
Key players and new arrivals
Six players have departed since last season, including the influential Katie Bradley. They have been replaced with a blend of knowhow and exciting young talent. The arrival of Ashleigh Neville and Emily van Egmond will bring experience to Hills's dressing room, while Leah Davidson's and Grace Johnston's arrivals from Australia are intriguing moves. Meanwhile, Sophie Whitehouse was the hero of the previous campaign, and Charlton will be looking to the goalkeeper to again lead from the back. It is the attacking side of the game that perhaps causes the most concern, as Charlton managed only 31 goals last season, the lowest of the WSL2's top six.
Pre-season and off-field developments
Preparations got under way with a pre-season trip to Cádiz, a chance for a new-look side to come together. Off the pitch, a record-breaking partnership has seen haircare brand Sofnfree become the women's team's official sleeve partner. The branding will feature on all playing and replica shirts this season, while content creation will be a focus as Charlton hope to access new and existing audiences. The club have also launched their first women's-centric TikTok channel. However, the news that ownership group Global Football Partners have put the club up for sale could cause a bit of instability in the short term.
Manager and star signings
Reaching the WSL was part of the five-year plan Hills had when she was appointed in 2021, bringing a club close to her heart back into the limelight. The 51-year-old represented Charlton for six years as a player, winning the FA Cup in 2005. This is the second time in Hills's coaching career she has guided a team to the top flight, having previously done so with Tottenham in 2019. Watching Charlton walk out at the Valley against Liverpool on 6 September will inevitably be an emotional moment for her.
Neville, only three months ago, was lining up against Charlton in the promotion playoff. Now she is a fully fledged Addick, joining from Leicester on a two-year deal. The full-back brings a wealth of experience, having made more than a century of appearances in the WSL, the majority under Hills at Tottenham after arriving there from Coventry United. A tough-tackling, intuitive defender, Neville never shirks a challenge and has the ability to push forward, and she will also be a strong leader in the dressing room.
Statistical highlights and future prospects
Despite finishing third in WSL2, Charlton kept the joint-most clean sheets and conceded the fewest goals in the division. No club saved as high a percentage of their shots on target faced, with Whitehouse playing every minute. She saved four penalties in the playoff shootout too.
Johnston was named Charlton's first signing of the summer during a transfer window that has seen many A-League players depart for Europe. The versatile young full-back arrives at the Valley hoping to make her mark on English football after three seasons with Perth Glory. She impressed during her time with her home town club, played every minute of last season, winning the club's 2026 best young player award. Johnston's form led to her being called up to the Young Matildas in 2023, representing the under-20s and now the under-23s, and she was an integral member of the squad that won the Asean Women's Championship last year.
Ashleigh Neville said: “I know what Karen’s about and vice versa; she knows what I bring. I’m really looking forward to working with her again.”
Charlton will play their home games at the Valley for a third consecutive season. Season-ticket sales started almost immediately after their successful promotion push. Alcohol will also still be allowed in the stadium, with an alcohol-free section established, and other fan activations include giving supporters the opportunity to sponsor a player.
