Charlton Athletic Womens FC 2007-08 Season

National Premier League: 12th (relegated)
League Cup: 1st round; lost by a walkover to Sunderland.
FA Cup: 4th round; Fulham h. 0-3

Highlight:
0-0 draw at home to Chelsea.

Low Spot:
The withdrawal of backing from Charlton Athletic FC last summer.

Good:
Danielle Farmer
Having pitched in from Fulham, with whom she suffered in similar fashion last season, this talented attacking midfielder chipped in with four of the six goals Charlton managed during the course of a harrowing season.
The two she popped in to gain the clubs’ first draw away at Leeds provided a particular highlight.
Becky Musial
The teenage goalkeeper could have been excused if she had crept into a corner pleading shellshock after suffering the brunt of some terrible poundings but Musial impressed everyone with her bravery and ability and was a massive part of the teams’ improvement over the course of a trying season.

In Brief:
Relegation was basically inevitable once the club had been left fighting for survival after the withdrawal of funding by Charlton Athletic FC and the defection of their entire playing squad for various greener pastures.
Despite only managing four draws and no victories from their league programme the club ended the season in an apparently stable financial position and there was a real sense of optimism regarding the clubs’ future.
In this respect the season can be viewed as a triumph and there is no doubt that there is a willingness and a belief within the club that they can return to the top flight in the near future and establish themselves amongst the countries’ elite again.

Charlton Athletic Ladies are one of the top womens football clubs in England.

The club was formed in 2000 when Charlton Athletic FC took the Croydon WFC under its wing. Croydon had been one of the countries top teams in their own right, winning the Premier League title on three occasions (1996, 99 and 2000) and the FA Cup twice (1996 and 2000).

Since becoming Charlton Ladies the club have had to live in the shadow of Arsenal Ladies but have challenged strongly in the last two Premier League seasons before finishing as runners up.

Charlton Athletic Ladies have reached three FA Womens Cup finals, losing to Fulham Ladies in 2003 and Arsenal Ladies in 2004, both times by 0-3 scorelines, before lifting the trophy in 2005 after defeating Everton Ladies 1-0 with an Eniola Aluko goal.

They have also reached the last two National Premier League Cup finals, beating Fulham Ladies 1-0 in 2004 with an Emma Coss goal before losing to Arsenal Ladies 0-3 in last years final.

The club are currently challenging Arsenal Ladies for a potential domestic treble and boast an outstanding squad including England internationals Casey Stoney, Katie Chapman, Jo Potter, Amanda Barr and Eniola Aluko.

Charlton's commitment to womens football is perhaps best illustrated by the Centre of Excellence and the Academy established to develop young female footballers.

The Centre of Excellence offers opportunities for young girls to recieve coaching and development while the Academy offers a genuine footballing apprenticeship for talented young footballers.

Five players from the academy have already gone on to play for England with many more progressing through into Charlton's senior sides.