Thomas Sandgaard: Name change for Charlton Athletic Women is still happening

Thomas Sandgaard says he is still full steam ahead on renaming Charlton Athletic Women.

It was revealed at the start of December that the club’s owner wants to rebrand the Addicks as ‘Charlton Athletic Ladies’.

There is some resistance to the name change within the playing ranks of Karen Hills’ squad.

Danish businessman Sandgaard, who resides in the United States, has reiterated that his decision to rebrand the women’s team was taken when he acquired control.

The club went full-time in the summer with Sandgaard targeting promotion to the Women’s Super League.

Asked by our paper if the potential name change was still in the pipeline, Sandgaard responded: “First I have to correct you – it is not a potential name change.

“That decision was taken seven months ago. Our communications department has been a little clumsy as to how it got implemented. That’s why it’s probably got a lot more attention than it probably would have if we had just done it at the end of last season as we were transforming to a full-time set up.

“We were getting everything integrated with new facilities at the same training ground. It was also discussed with the team back then, one of many things I’ve looked at for making that name change, and it was received very favourably.

“A number of players have changed in the squad since then and there are a few that are very vocal about that – they don’t like it.

“But, in a season or two, the squad is going to change again and maybe the Red Robins would be favoured more by the players? I can’t keep changing the names all the time as we change the squad, which we know you do all the time in football.

“There has been a little noise from the side that they don’t appreciate the word ladies as much as women. But on social media you also get people saying ‘I think that’s a better name’ or they are neutral to it.

“We’ve had a lot of conversations internally. Does this conflict with being the most progressive club in all of England when it comes to EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion)? There is absolutely no conflicts with that. I think it’s just as good as the word women – I consider maybe a little more respectful, if there is any difference.

“It looks like it is turning out to be a non-issue.”

For the name change to take formal effect it requires FA approval.

Sandgaard said: “That’s a process, a form that needs to be filled out. We have until the end of the season to get that in.

“Eventually the name will be changed at Companies House. There is some housekeeping that we are getting done.”