Planning for a new season

Riteesh Mishra CAWFC Manager The Charlton women’s team wrapped up a third place finish in the first ever FA Women’s Championship season with an impressive 4-0 victory over Leicester City. With Durham losing to Tottenham, the win, their second 4-0 against the Foxes this term, cemented an excellent maiden season in the second tier.

Just barely into the close season first team Manager Riteesh Mishra turns his attention to what lies ahead through the remainder of the summer and the forthcoming season with a special message to readers of The Installer Magazine:

“Charlton Athletic Women FC is in a good place right now, it has picked up a lot of new fans throughout the previous 12 months and I want to say thank you to them for driving us to a third place finish last season. I’ve said it a lot but everyone makes a big difference and you notice the crowd when at the game. Help from sponsors like the BiKBBI is immeasurable too and has undoubtedly played its part in our successes. 

The off season for us, like many clubs, has been just as busy as the season itself, managing lots of changes, strengthening the squad which is never easy. Every effort is being made by all at the club to continue our progress. This, coupled with the men’s team’s success in gaining promotion to the SkyBet Championship for next season has a set a real feel good factor to all at the club at every level. The win in the play-off final at Wembley against Sunderland was an amazing experience for all connected with the club, none more so than the supporters.

The promotion all serves to strengthen our brand as a club attracting players of a higher calibre and more sponsors etc., not to mention increased attendances.

The close season is one of the hardest periods of the year, 

The Oakwood

The promotion all serves to strengthen our brand as a club attracting players of a higher calibre and more sponsors etc., not to mention increased attendances.”

and has already been a very challenging one. As always, we've had some changes both with players and staff, but we've worked harder than ever before to make sure we are building on everything that has been put in place here over the past few years. After a few tough weeks, I can't wait now to get back to the real work, which is out there on the grass!

I'm really pleased with how the squad is shaping up. We've brought in some really good, hungry players who are joining us for the right reasons, and importantly, a lot of our core squad who have been with us through our journey remain. That's the most important thing for me. We have been on a journey and our story continues and I'm pleased we've got a lot of those who've been at the core to continue on helping me improve the club.

Of course at every successful club your players get attention from elsewhere and therefore have had a few players move on, which is part of the game. But I think we still have one or two new players on the horizon to join, and if we can get them over the line, I think we'll be in fantastic shape for the new season.

There was a 131% increase on our overall attendances for last season and we are sure that the huge exposure of the Women’s World Cup in the summer, combined with the England team’s success, will see crowds grow hugely next season. A whopping 6.1 million viewers watched the Lionesses opening game alone for example!

We have announced some of our pre-season friendlies which includes a testimonial match for Kim Dixson. Kim has been an outstanding player, coach and role model and no one deserves a testimonial more than her for her loyalty to the club. I encourage readers of The Installer Magazine to come down to The Oakwood on July 31st to support us in saying thank you to Kim for her loyalty and all she has done for the club to date, and will be doing in the future as her journey with Charlton Athletic Women is by no means finished yet.” 

MATCH DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Kim Dixson testimonial Charlton Athletic Women V Gillingham Ladies 19:45. July 31st 2019 Oakwood, Crayford, Kent. DA1 4DN

HOW TO GET THERE TRAIN

The nearest train station is Crayford (South-Eastern Rail) -Fare Zone 6. From London Charing Cross and London Bridge or Dartford.

BUS

96 bus stops in Old Road

If you’re in any doubt then just plan your journey to VCD Athletic with Transport for London. Readers can get more information about Charlton Athletic Women and Women’s football including season tickets, marketing and advertising by emailing: charltonwomen@cafc.co.uk