Women's team

The Charlton Athletic women's team competes in the Tesco FA Premier League Southern League, and has been overseen by the Charlton Athletic Community Trust since summer 2007.

Previously one of the giants of the female game, the Addicks won the FA Cup in 2005, but the relegation of the men's team from the Premiership in 2006/07 had financial ramifications across the club.

The trust took charge of the women's set-up, also comprising the girls' academy and centre of excellence, the following summer.

And although results on the pitch took their expected downturn as players departed amid the upheaval, leading to relegation from the National Division the following season, the future looks bright for the Addicks.

History

Charlton were formed in 2000, when Croydon, who had won the league title and lifted the FA Cup the previous season, came under the umbrella of the Addicks.

And the club immediately lifted its first trophy following a draw with Arsenal in August of that year in the Charity Shield - with both clubs sharing the trophy.

First manager Gill Wylie left the club midway though the 2000/01 campaign, and was replaced by Keith Boanas, who was then manager of the Ryman League Tooting & Mitcham United men's team.

Boanas immediately led the club to the semi-final of the Premier League Cup in his first season. Charlton also lifted the London Cup, competed for by a mixture of the first-team and reserve side in April 2003, and reached the FA Cup final the following month.

More than 10,000 fans flocked to Selhurst Park to watch Charlton take on treble-chasing Fulham in the final, with two million-plus people also tuning in to see the game live on BBC, but unfortunately the Addicks lost 3-0.

Charlton lifted their first major trophy the following season, 2003/04, when a goal from substitute Emma Coss, with her first touch after entering the pitch as a substitute, gave the Addicks a 1-0 win against Fulham at Barnet FC's Underhill.

But disappointment again followed in the FA Cup, with another 3-0 defeat to all-conquering Arsenal at Loftus Road.

It was third-time lucky, therefore, when Charlton finally claimed the biggest prize in the women's game 12 months later thanks to a 1-0 victory over Everton at Upton Park; Eniola Aluko scoring the winner.

Arsenal had again emerged victorious in the Premier League Cup final that season and also in the league, as the Addicks ended the campaign as runners-up for the second successive season.

After three years in a row of playing in the FA Cup final, Charlton were beaten by Arsenal in extra-time of the semi-final in 2006/07, but had already won the Premier League Cup for a second time by that stage, beating the Gunners 2-1 in the final at Wycombe Wanderers' Causeway Stadium.

Charlton began 2007/08 with a new man in charge, former Addicks winger Paul Mortimer, appointed as technical director to oversee the entire women's set-up.

And after a slow start, as the Addicks competed with arguably the youngest and least experienced squad in the top flight, several draws from Christmas onwards, plus a series of battling performances, gave the team no small amount at the end of the campaign, even though the club finished bottom of the table.

The 2008/09 season saw the Addicks competing in the second tier - the Premier League Southern Division - when Mortimer was targeting a quick return to the top flight.

Notable former Charlton players include England internationals Pauline Cope, Jo Broadhurst, Casey Stoney, Katie Chapman, Eniola Auko and Amanda Barr.

Honours

Premier League National Division: best finish - second 2003/04, 2004/05

FA Cup: winners 20005

Premier League Cup: winners 2004, 2006

Charity/Community Shield: winners 2001, 2004

London Cup: winners 2003, 2005, 2006

Kent County Cup: winners: 2003

The set-up

The women's team currently plays home games at Dartford FC's Princes Park ground, with matches usually kicking off at 2pm on Sundays.

But while the first team grabs most of the headlines, the Addicks have a thriving academy and centre of excellence set-up, working with partners such as London Leisure College and Canterbury College. Girls receive guidance from experts in areas such as nutrition and health, and can use the City Learning Centre and the Greenwich Leisure gymnasium at The Valley for numerous educational and fitness programmes.

Players receive support away from the pitch from counsellors, and the women's set-up is also backed by Addicks fans thanks to donations from Valley Gold members.

What's more, Charlton Community Scheme Solutions provides a series of football courses for girls, girls-only session in schools, and even a girls-only Charlton Challenge award scheme throughout the year.

To find out more about the Charlton women's set-up, click here.

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