Charley Clifford: To surpass Kim Dixson’s appearance record for Charlton Women means so much

BY MATT VERRI

It may not have come in the manner she would have hoped, but Charley Clifford became Charlton Athletic Women’s all-time record appearance holder in her side’s recent defeat to West Ham.

The midfielder’s appearance was her 273rd in for the Addicks and took her clear of Kim Dixson.

The 27-year-old, who joined the club when she was 12, was finally able to reach the landmark she was set to hit last season.

“It’s really rare now in women’s football for someone to be at a club so long,” Clifford said.

“To be able to break the record makes me incredibly proud, and to be able to overtake Kim – who growing up was an idol for me – was really special.

“I remember last year she mentioned something about the record to me, but with coronavirus hitting I forgot all about it. It had been brought up again this season as I’ve been getting closer, but it’s not something I keep track of.

“Between me, Kim, and Grace Coombs we’re not too far off 1,000 games, which is incredible. When you see that it sort of hits home, because that’s a hell of a lot of games.”

Clifford joined the club’s Centre of Excellence 15 years ago and stayed despite the first team having their funding taken away in 2007. She made her first-team debut at 16.

Clifford feels the women’s game has come a long way since her junior days, both in terms of opportunities and exposure.

“The girls growing up now can have those aspirations to be a professional footballer, which I didn’t necessarily have at that age,” Clifford said.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t really know of any women’s teams around. The changes have been massive, the amount of people watching has grown so much.

“The fact that American players are coming over here to the WSL shows how much our game has improved and how widely it’s broadcast around the world.”

From being selected for England U19 camps to silverware at domestic level, Clifford has enjoyed considerable success during her career so far.

She holds the 2017-18 campaign most dear, culminating in promotion to the Women’s Championship.

“The feeling that season between the squad, the staff, and the team spirit we all had was a pleasure to be around,” she said.

“It was an unreal year for everyone involved, and I don’t think anyone in that team can say they’ve ever had a better season. It was all just amazing.

“To go into the play-off against Blackburn with so much riding on it and then to win was a big highlight.”

It’s been a year of uncertainty for so many and that’s no different in the Women’s Championship, which went six months without matches until the new season got under way in September.

Having avoided relegation last season due to the results from lower tiers being null and voided, Charlton have endured a tough start this season.

The Addicks lost 1-0 to Sheffield United on Sunday to drop to the bottom of the standing.

“It’s difficult to look at the table because it makes you feel quite bad,” Clifford admitted.

“But we have games in hand, and hopefully we can get the points on board to try and climb up the table.

“It’s been a bit frustrating – we’ve performed pretty well against the big teams, but we’ve had other games where we didn’t play well at all.

“The leagues have improved this year, and everyone has been beating everyone, which shows how competitive it is. We need to pull together as a team and come back strong after the international break.”

PHOTOS: KEITH GILLARD