‘There’s unfinished business’ – Charlton summer signing targets going one better in upcoming Championship campaign

EXCLUSIVE

BY GINA BAGNULO

Charlton Athletic’s FA Women’s Championship campaign kicks off on Sunday with an outing against newly-promoted Portsmouth.

The Addicks’ first signing of the summer transfer window was midfielder Katie Bradley from Blackburn Rovers. 

Bradley – a Bolton native – spent her youth career at Manchester City academy before moving to play at college level for University of Central Florida. 

“I’m really excited,” the 22-year-old told the South London Press, when asked about Charlton getting ready for competitive action.

“All of the girls are really excited for the season to start as well. We’ve put a lot of hard work in over the pre-season – it’s time now to put that on show.”

The last Championship season saw Charlton finish second behind South London rivals Crystal Palace, who were automatically promoted to the Women’s Super League for the first time in their history.

Bradley said: “Everyone has their motivations and desires and obviously there’s unfinished business. 

“We need to make sure we do what the team did last season and then make some minor tweaks that cost them a draw or cost them two points last season. We need to alter those and then keep what they had last season. 

“We’re all really together as a group and that’s something that the staff have mentioned as well, compared to the last year. It feels like we’re all in a really good place with togetherness and on the pitch as well.” 

The Addicks have impressed in all of their pre-season fixtures, including a 2-2 draw against WSL side Aston Villa. 

“We’ve been unbeaten, and there were some really hard opponents,” she said. 

“Three opponents are in the WSL, so there are really big takeaways from the pre-season, which has given us loads of confidence heading into the Championship.” 

Charlton’s first opponent of the season Portsmouth secured promotion from the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division at the end of last season and have since become a fully professional club.

“I’m sure their motivation is going to be as high as ours and any team in this league,” said Bradley.

“As you saw last year, everyone was up and down the league in positions and anyone can win any game. 

“You think the higher you are in the league, the more likely you are to win against a lesser team, but that’s just not the case – anything could happen.

“We can’t take them for granted. We’re going to treat them like any other opponent, and it should be a really exciting game.”

PICTURE: CAFC