ON THE UP – Hills Alive To Promotion

Charlton Athletic are always there or thereabouts, and Izzy Gilligan thinks Karen Hills and her lively Addicks team have a real chance of returning to the top flight, and about time too…

Head coach: Karen Hills has been in charge since March 2021, leading Charlton through their transition into a fully professional club and quickly establishing them as consistent promotion contenders. A former Addicks player who lifted the Women’s FA Cup with the club in 2005, Hills previously managed Tottenham Hotspur in the WSL until 2020.

New Signings: Lucia Lobato, Gillian Kenney, Ellie Mason, Mary McAteer, Anna Pedersen, Lucy Fitzgerald, Zoe Barratt, Amalie Thestrup, Keira Flannery

Outlook: The Addicks once again came close last season, finishing third in the Championship, just six points off leaders London City Lionesses. It marked the third straight year they have been in the mix, with finishes of second, third, and fourth across the last three campaigns.

Hills’ side are desperate to make the next step, and with an additional promotion spot now available, plus the possibility of a playoff with the lowest-ranked WSL side, this may be their best chance yet to return to the top flight for the first time since 2008.

Charlton opened their 2025-26 campaign with a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, a promising sign against a side recently relegated from the WSL. Although they lost last season’s Golden Boot winner Melissa Johnson over the summer, Hills has strengthened well with nine new arrivals, adding depth and experience to sustain a push across the campaign.

With Hills’ proven leadership and Charlton’s growing pedigree at this level, the Addicks will once again be among the favourites for promotion. After years of near misses, expectation around The Valley is that this could finally be the season they get over the line. 

Will finish: 2nd