Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce that Head Coach Karen Hills has been named the Barclays Women’s Championship Manager of the Month for September.
In September the Addicks claimed two victories in their league campaign. an impressive 3-0 victory at The Valley against Birmingham City, and a five-goal thriller away to Sunderland which witnessed a stoppage time Addicks winner meaning Hills' side left the Eppleton Colliery Football Ground with all three points.
Hills highlighted that this award is not down to her, but for the hard work that goes on not just on the pitch but behind the scenes. Everyone played a role in September’s success:
“It’s an achievement, not for myself but for the group. If it wasn’t for the players doing what they do on the pitch then we wouldn’t be in this position. I am pleased to pick up the award on behalf of all my staff and players."
“Always happy to pick up awards, just goes to show the work being put in comes to the forefront. A massive team effort, I have some fantastic staff that work alongside me, backroom staff that never come to the forefront. If it wasn’t for those people doing what they do on a daily basis then the team wouldn't be able to perform the way they do week in and week out. An absolute credit to where we come from in a very short space of time. We have only been full-time for this second season, to pick up this award early on in the second season is a credit to the current staff and players."
The Addicks have made a strong start to the league campaign, they currently sit in second place just one point behind Bristol City. Hills’ claimed that it is early days and this season will not be easy, a number of " top quality" sides will be competing for promotion and it is down to her side to keep that momentum going:
“At the end of the day it is a very good start to a season, we all know how tough this league is. We looked at it last season and knew we had a really good foundation and base to kick on this season, luckily for us we have started really well. We needed to add more goals to our tally and we have been able to do that. It is going to get harder 100% it is not going to be plain sailing. We are in a great position but at the same time it is early days. I always say that any team will beat anyone on any given day and that hasn't changed, if anything the league has gotten tougher. We need to stay focused on what we do."
Attention turns to next Sunday as the Addicks host Blackburn at The Oakwood on Sunday, October 16th (12 PM KO GMT). Hills claimed she is aware of the threat that the visitors will possess and how she wants to build from the defeat to Lewes in the Continental Cup last weekend.
“We want to make The Oakwood a harder place to come as anywhere, we know Blackburn are going to be a tough side and they always have different threats that we need to be mindful of. What we need to focus on is how we bounce back from that defeat on Sunday, coming off the back of two very good wins and it's now about rebuilding that momentum and starting again."
"That game against Lewes in the Continental Cup was disappointing but lot's of positives as the younger players had the opportunity to get some minutes, players we haven’t been able to look at in the league campaign so far. That is all really positive but now we must take this momentum into Sunday against Blackburn, knowing it is going to be tough and we have to bounce back from that defeat. We have got to regroup because a lot of international players have gone away and picked up a few knocks, we are going to get the group together.
The Head Coach provided a message for Charlton fans as she hopes to encourage as many as possible to come down and support her side as they look to push on and build from their previous defeat.
“It will be an exciting game and I want to encourage everyone to try and make the effort to come down and support these women."
Charlton vs Blackburn Rovers will take place at The Oakwood on Sunday, October 16th KO 12PM.
Click here for more ticket information.
Supporters who have a men's first team season ticket can redeem a free ticket for Charlton Athletic Women's game against Blackburn Rovers by following the below instructions:
- Log into the account of the 2022/23 season ticket holder.
- Click on Women’s home games
- Add a ticket to your basket
- The ticket will discount to zero value as it will recognise that you have logged in under as a 2022/23 season ticket holder.
- Proceed to checkout.
- Select delivery method
- Agree to terms and conditions and click pay.
