Elise Hughes discusses decision to leave Everton and sign full-time deal with Charlton Athletic Women
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Elise Hughes is set to be part of a little bit of history on Sunday – as Charlton Athletic Women play their first competitive match as a fully professional side.
A number of positive Covid-19 cases in the Addicks camp saw last weekend’s Championship opener at Lewes postponed. Karen Hills’ team now start their campaign at home to Coventry United (2pm).
Wales international Hughes had been on the books of Everton – who she supports – since the age of 13. Then Charlton came calling for the striker this summer.
“I got a phonecall from Karen and Riteesh [Mishra, assistant manager] and I’ve never looked back since,” Hughes told the South London Press. “I had been in talks about staying at Everton and probably going on loan. I was thinking about coming to Charlton on loan. But Karen knew my situation, that I hadn’t signed a new contract. She offered me the chance to come over and help start the project.
“Being an Everton fan it made that decision a little bit harder. But it was time to move on and have a new adventure, to see where it takes me. Later in my career it could be a possibility that I go back. But I’m glad I’m here now.”
Hughes has had two previous spells in the FA Women’s Championship.
She spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers and also featured for Bristol City in 2020, before tearing her anterior cruciate ligament.
“I went to Bristol in January and I was back at Everton in February doing my rehab,” explained Hughes. “Then lockdown hit. It was awful for everyone but it helped me – in the respect I didn’t miss many games.
“I played a lot of minutes at Blackburn and I’m grateful for that experience of the Championship. We struggled as a team towards the back end of the season. Anyone can beat anyone at this level if you’re not 100 per cent, and in some games I just didn’t think we were.”
Charlton’s move to a full-time set-up over the summer has raised expectations of a promotion push.
Prior to being acquired by US-based Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard the Addicks had struggled to compete at the top end of the table.
But Hughes is making no bold assertions.
“If you look at the first week of results they underline it is about which team turns up and plays the best,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to Sunday. All the girls were a bit disappointed last weekend, but it has to be safety first. It just means we are even more raring to go.”
The lifelong Evertonian joined their Regional Talent Centre before signing her first professional deal in August 2019.
Hughes credits Nicola Anderson, now Wales Women’s U19 head coach, for getting her in at the Toffees.
“There were about 60 girls at the trial and I was the only one that year to get through,” said Hughes. “I think Nicola might have swayed it and that she knew before I got there that they were going to take me on and try and make me better.”
Hughes bagged her first senior goal against Liverpool in the WSL Cup.
Dad Peter played in the Welsh leagues while grandfather David represented his country as a youngster as well as Wrexham.
“My whole family was there when I scored against Liverpool,” said Hughes. “Someone told me that my dad was crying. We won the game. I’m hoping for more of that this season when we come up against Liverpool again.”