Review of the week: Sophie Whitehouse ready for WSL 1 test with Charlton Athletic women, Ezri Konsa wins Europa League and West Ham United drop into Championship
Dykes makes Scotland's World Cup squad - Coady and Wright-Phillips part of punditry teams - plus ex-Addicks enjoy play-off success at Wembley
It’s the latest review of the week. Charlton Athletic Women have followed the club’s U18s in experiencing play-off success this month.
Plus we round up other events, including a number of ex-Addicks playing their part in Hull City’s promotion to the Premier League and Ezri Konsa winning the Europa League and inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.
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Sophie Whitehouse reads the side of her water bottle - which listed the preferred finishing positions for Leicester’s penalty takers/Picture: Keith Gillard
Addicks achieve Super League dream
Sophie Whitehouse reckons that Charlton’s reliance on defensive strength will boost their prospects of being successful next season in the Super League.
The Addicks sealed their promotion on Saturday with a 2-1 penalty shootout victory over Leicester City.
The play-off tie, pitting the third-placed WSL 2 side against the bottom club in WSL 1, ended 0-0 after extra-time at The Valley.
Whitehouse, who kept eight clean sheets in the WSL 2 campaign, saved four of the Foxes’ spot-kicks.
The 29-year-old won the WSL 2 Golden Glove award and was named in the WSL 2 Team of the Season a week ago.
Asked how excited she was out of 10 to be playing in the top flight next season, Whitehouse responded: “Higher than a 10.
“The way we played this season was very defensive and that probably prepares us very well for going into the WSL. We now have that base of out-of-possession work - we just need to do it again. When we have played against WSL sides this season we have done really, really well. I’m really excited to see what happens.
“We put ourselves in a position to have a couple of opportunities to go up and we have proved we have deserved it.
“We say it is a marathon not a sprint. Today it felt like the longest marathon ever, but we pushed it over the line to finish where we wanted to finish.”
Charlton’s players celebrate after the full-time whistle and Sophie Whitehouse savours a penalty save/Pictures: Paul Edwards
Manager Karen Hills was part of the Charlton side which won the 2005 FA Cup final at Upton Park.
Now she has led the Addicks back to the top division for the first time since they were disbanded in the summer of 2007, a cost-cutting measure after the men’s team lost their Premier League status.
“It’s up there with one of my career highlights,” said Hills. “I feel incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved, but I couldn’t have done it without the team behind the team. I’m just leading that. I’ve enjoyed every moment of working with the players and staff I’ve got around me.
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve this unless we were a collective group.”
Charlton were not one of the top spenders in WSL 2 and face a huge challenge to retain their newly-acquired status.
Hills said: “I’m excited, nervous and apprehensive, because I have been there and done it before. It is tough. There is no hiding from the fact we are three weeks behind Crystal Palace and Birmingham doing it. You have potentially the best league in the world and it is an opportunity for Charlton to compete against these top teams.
“We have to be realistic and we have to be honest. The club is progressive and it wants us to keep progressing. I was here as a player and we were a top team, in a top division. That will be my ambition.
“Enjoy these moments - but football doesn’t stand still. We have to stay with it. It is an unbelievable moment that these players and supporters should enjoy. But then it parks and a new chapter opens.”
Karen Hills watches Saturday’s play-off final/Picture: Keith Gillard
European trophy is sealed with a kiss
Ezri Konsa posted the above picture on his X account after Aston Villa won the Europa League trophy with, let’s be honest, a very straightforward 3-0 victory over Freiburg on Wednesday evening.
The Premier League side were head and shoulders above their German opposition as they produced a dominant performance in the final, held in Istanbul.
Konsa, 28, played the full tie for Villa.
He joined Charlton from Senrab in 2008 and had two seasons of League One football before he was sold to Brentford, then in the Championship, in 2018 for a reported fee of £2.5million.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Konsa told broadcaster TNT Sports as Villa celebrated their victory against Freiburg on the Besiktas Arena Stadium pitch. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs at this club. To finally bring back some silverware is amazing.
“The fans have been through thick and thin with us. If you guys saw my letter it said ‘believe’. If you did that, thank you. This is for them.”
Konsa joined Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) and Joe Gomez (Liverpool) in being Charlton academy products to win a major European trophy.
Ian Maatsen, who had a loan spell with the Addicks, came on as a late substitute for Villa.
The week got even better for Konsa as he was named in England’s World Cup squad. The tournament takes place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Three Lions start with a June 17 fixture against Croatia in Arlington, USA.
“It has been a tough process to decide on the nomination, but I have full belief in this group of players,” said England boss Thomas Tuchel. “They all deserve their place. The squad and everyone involved with the team will give all we can to make the country proud. We know they are behind us and we hope for a very special summer.”
Lyndon Dykes/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Lyndon Dykes is going to the World Cup
A key part of Lyndon Dykes’ January switch to Charlton Athletic was about getting enough Championship minutes to make sure of his place in Scotland’s World Cup squad.
Mission accomplished.
The big striker was named in Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad on Tuesday afternoon. The former Birmingham and QPR player is one of five forwards selected.
Scotland start their Group C campaign against Haiti on June 14 before facing Morocco (June 19) and Brazil (June 24).
Dykes, 30, scored three goals in 20 appearances for the Addicks, who confirmed earlier this month they remained in talks over agreeing a longer stay in SE7.
Conor Coady is going to the World Cup too
But unlike Lyndon Dykes, it won’t be in a playing capacity.
The Liverpudlian, 33, will be part of the BBC Radio 5’s analysis team and the station describe him as being “a regular voice” on England matches.
Coady, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Charlton from Wrexham, was in England’s squad for the 2020 European Championships and 2022 World Cup but did not make an appearance.
He has been capped 10 times by his country.
Coady still has 12 months left to run on his Wrexham contract. He has not ruled out a return to the Addicks.
Former Charlton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is on the ITV panel as part of their coverage of the World Cup.
The Lewisham-born 41-year-old won the League One title with the Addicks in 2012. Wright-Phillips signed for New York Red Bulls after being released in 2013.
News on ex-Addicks - including promotion to the Premier League
Former Charlton Athletic manager Dean Holden will be pitting his wits against Premier League bosses next season after Hull City won the Championship play-off final on Saturday.
Oli McBurnie’s late goal, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, clinched a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley.
Holden, sacked by the Addicks in August 2023, became head coach Sergej Jakirovic’s assistant at the start of July.
Ex-Addicks centre-back Semi Ajayi played the full match against Boro, reinstated back into the knockout competition after Southampton were booted out for spying on opponents.
Liam Millar, who had a loan stint with Charlton in the second half of the 2020-21 League One campaign, played 63 minutes with goalkeeper Dillon Phillips an unused substitute.
West Brom have offered a new contract to Karlan Grant, who is due to be a free agent at the start of July.
Sam Lavelle has been made available for transfer by Grimsby Town.
Chesterfield have released Freddie Ladapo.
WEST HAM UNITED, COME ON DOWN
We now know the full make-up of the Championship next season after Sunday’s fixtures.
West Ham United were relegated on the final day of the Premiership campaign despite a 3-0 home victory over Leeds United.
It will be the first time since the 1992-93 season that Charlton, Millwall and West Ham will be in the same division.
Charlton posted on their X account yesterday
Tottenham were also in danger of the drop but only required a point on Sunday to make sure of their survival - Joao Palhinha’s goal earning a 1-0 victory against Everton.
It ends a 14-year stay for the Hammers in the top flight, during which time they won the Europa Conference League in 2023.
Charlton’s most recent league visit to West Ham was a 3-1 reverse in August 2006. Darren Bent’s penalty put the Addicks ahead but the hosts bounced back through Bobby Zamora (two) and Carlton Cole.
The Addicks lost 3-0 in an EFL Cup tie at London Stadium in September 2020.
Bolton Wanderers took the final promotion spot from League One as they beat Stockport County 4-1 in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
Charlton loanee Isaac Oloafe came on in the 65th minute of the tie for County and had a close-range shot saved by goalkeeper Jack Bonham when the score was 2-1.
Rob Apter, also a winter transfer window loan exit from the Addicks, did not make the Bolton squad for any of their play-off matches. The Scouser’s last action came as a second-half substitute against Stevenage on April 14.
Mason Burstow, who came through the Charlton academy, set up Ruben Rodrigues’ third-minute opener for Bolton.
Dartford friendly locked in
Charlton’s first pre-season tune-up match will be at Dartford on July 3.
The Friday night fixture, which has a 7.45pm kick off, is a repeat of last summer.
Dartford were also the opening opposition for Nathan Jones’ side when they started to gear up for life back in the Championship. Daniel Kanu, Greg Docherty and Micah Mbick scored in a 3-2 victory on July 12, 2025.
Tickets for the match are already on sale here.
The Darts finished sixth in the Isthmian Premier Division last season, just missing out on the play-offs.
The Dartford game was our first ever post-match pod. Want to listen back to it? You do? It’s here.
Scott Wagstaff/Picture: Paul Edwaeds
Waggy reunion in July?
Dartford announced the signing of Scott Wagstaff on Thursday. The 36-year-old, who started his career in Charlton’s youth ranks and made more than 100 senior appearances, was previously at Tonbridge Angels.
Darts manager Ben Greenhalgh told their club website: “Scott’s someone who will bring brilliant experience and leadership around the dressing room. He’s a model professional and will add a lot of quality out on the pitch too.
“We are really happy to bring him into the squad.”
Wagstaff was released by Charlton in 2013. He joined Bristol City on a free transfer.
The experienced midfielder could make his first appearance for Dartford in the friendly against the Addicks.
Watt assists in play-offs
Tony Watt set up Aidan Fitzpatrick’s equaliser in Partick Thistle’s 1-1 draw against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership play-off final first leg.
The former Charlton striker made a run on the right of the penalty box before his low cross was converted first time in the 62nd minute.
Thistle finished second in the Championship table and the second leg takes place this evening at 8pm. They have not been in the Scottish top flight since the 2017-18 season.
Unity Cup takes place this week - but Dixon is only Addicks connection
I know this is supposed to be a review of the week, but I also felt the need to plug the Unity Cup, which takes place at The Valley this week.
There actually aren’t too many Charlton links for the tournament with only Kaheim Dixon due to be in action for Jamaica. Karoy Anderson and Amari’i Bell are expected to take on a watching brief in SE7.
There is also no Ademola Lookman or Joe Aribo in the Nigeria squad, which does include Millwall winger Femi Azeez.
Nigeria-Zimbabwe takes place on Tuesday (7.30pm) with India-Jamaica the following evening at the same time.
The finals day is on Saturday (2.30pm) with the two winners facing off along with a third-place tie.
Dixon saw his loan cut short at Crawley Town last season as he struggled for first-team outings.
The Unity Cup has officially been announced as a FIFA tier 1 event.
Kaheim Dixon is in Jamaica’s Unity Cup squad/Picture: Kyle Andrews
Content that appeared on this website last week
The full story behind how Peter Varney became Charlton Athletic chief executive
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire on how new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) will affect the Addicks
South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition podcast discussing Spygate
More reaction to Charlton’s play-off win to reach WSL 1