Mentality Monsters
Since taking charge in 2020, former Charlton player Karen Hills has transformed the Addicks into one of BWSL 2’s most consistent sides.
Across her five full seasons in charge, Charlton have never finished lower than fourth, regularly challenging for promotion. Before last season, their closest opportunity came in 2023/24, when they agonisingly missed out on the title by just one point to Crystal Palace.
That consistency stems from the standards Hills sets every day. Her ability to build a competitive, disciplined side will be vital as Charlton prepare for the step up to the BWSL. Perhaps even more impressive, though, is the mentality this squad has developed.
Last season tested Charlton more than any other. They went unbeaten throughout the whole of 2025, putting together a remarkable 26-game unbeaten league run, and spent the majority of the campaign at the top of the table.
With just six matches remaining, they looked destined for automatic promotion. Charlton held a 10-point advantage over third-placed Crystal Palace and sat nine points clear of Birmingham City, who still had a game in hand. Then everything unravelled.
A shock defeat to struggling Portsmouth sparked a dramatic collapse in form. Charlton won just one of their final five league matches, losing three, including a heartbreaking title decider at home to Birmingham City that saw automatic promotion slip away. For many teams, that would have been the end. Instead, Charlton regrouped.
Given one final opportunity through the promotion play-off against Leicester City, Hills and her coaching staff lifted the squad once again. After battling to a goalless draw, goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse produced a stunning display in the penalty shootout, saving all four Leicester spot-kicks to seal promotion.
That ability to recover from disappointment, reset mentally and deliver under immense pressure is a quality that cannot be underestimated. The BWSL presents challenges every single week, but Charlton have already shown they possess the resilience needed to compete.