Thomas Sandgaard committed to rebrand of Charlton Athletic Women
Thomas Sandgaard looks set to continue pushing ahead with his plan to rebrand Charlton Athletic Women – despite one national newspaper claiming that there has been opposition from some of the team’s players.
US-based Dane Sandgaard took control of the side towards the end of last season and turned them full-time over the summer as he looked to mount a promotion challenge and reach the domestic top flight.
Sandgaard had already acquired the men’s team before he took over the women’s set-up from Stephen King.
“The women’s football world is moving on so rapidly,” King told the South London Press at the time. “My resources would not have facilitated what Thomas has said he will commit.
“The reason it is happening is not because all of a sudden I have fallen out of love with women’s football or Charlton. I just couldn’t expect Thomas, or anyone else, to supply that financial commitment unless they were in control of the club.
“I wouldn’t have been happy relinquishing control to someone I didn’t have the utmost confidence in. Thomas has shown genuine commitment and aspirations. He has got the resources to do it. It is the right move at the right time.”
The club have referenced that Sandgaard had decided six months ago to change the name to ‘Charlton Athletic Ladies’ and that the players were asked for their view at that point.
He has been keen to press home a ‘one-club approach’ for both sides of the business and opened the women’s new training facility – Pippenhall – at Sparrows Lane in July. The facility includes changing rooms, medical rooms, meeting rooms and a kitchen area.
It has been described that Sandgaard sees the name change as a refresh as well as a nod back to the club’s roots, initially as Croydon Ladies, in 2000.
The Telegraph claim that some of Charlton’s players described the change of moniker as “insulting” and “derogatory” at a meeting with Sandgaard at the end of last week.
They add that manager Karen Hills is “staunchly opposed” to the move.
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