While this summer was a watershed moment for Women’s Football as the Lionesses won Euro 2022, Charlton Athletic women’s Emily Simpkins knows a little bit about making it to the top and the hardships it takes to get there.
In a career featuring promotions, title triumphs and Champions League football across a 15-year period, the 32-year-old has witnessed first hand the evolution of the women’s game as well as the personal sacrifices players have had to make to get to this point.
Speaking exclusively to London Football Scene, Simpkins said: “When I look at where I’ve come from, sometimes I have to pinch myself.
“I used to have to make a three-hour round trip after working all day, which was paid for out of my own pocket, just to get to training.
“I’ve now been a full-time professional at three clubs and the change is incredible – ultimately the difference is in the amount of support and the funding provided to players.”
Simpkins was the first ever women’s player to sign a professional contract with Doncaster Belles back in 2015, enabling her to ditch her day job as an FA skills coach mentoring youngsters.
With this summer’s success, there has been increased calls to make football more accessible for young girls – something Simpkins is wholeheartedly behind.
“I was the only girl to play with all the lads. It was never a thing growing up for girls to play football, we would always play netball while the boys would play football,” Simpkins said.
“Before I became a professional, I was going into schools and delivering football sessions for girls, I was pushing it myself, doing girls only football sessions. “
Since joining Charlton from Brighton in the summer on a one-year deal, the midfielder has also noticed an upturn in attendances at domestic level in comparison to previous seasons.
“Home and away, we’ve seen greater support and it’s great from a Charlton perspective as we’re aiming to play half of our games at The Valley this season.
“From my time in football, even though I’ve played in the WSL and taken the step down to the Championship now, there’s a lot of spectators here.”
So far, the side have played away from their usual home ground of The Oakwood in Crayford once – a 3-0 win over Birmingham in August which brought out a bumper crowd to The Valley.
“You’ll see pictures from the day and the number of fans in the crowd: we had young fans who had things for us to sign as well, which was nice to see,” Simpkins said.
“We had an early goal which helped us play with so much confidence at the Valley, it was just a great atmosphere.”
Charlton have made a solid start to the season, sitting fourth in the table with Simpkins quickly finding her feet under manager Karen Hills – so much so she’s even been appointed captain.
“Before signing, I came and had a look around and spoke to Karen (Hills) who explained where I would fit in at Charlton.
“I clicked straight away with her, she’s good to talk to, open and honest and good at managing players.
“It’s been a real honour (to be appointed captain), but I do feel I’m ready for it at this stage in my career, having played under lots of different captains.
“It’s given me the platform to go and lead now, which I’m enjoying and it’s been a great experience so far.”
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Simpkins was also full of praise for the amount of investment owner Thomas Sandgaard has made since taking over the running of the women’s side and bringing it fully into the Charlton Athletic fold under a ‘One Club’ mantra.
And she believes the training facilities and recruitment means Charlton Women are now on par with most WSL clubs.
“Going from a WSL club to a Championship one, the structure is exactly the same, and I can only speak highly enough of it,” explained Simpkins.
“We’re coming in, having breakfast, training, having lunch then using the gym – credit to Charlton for having a set up identical to a WSL club.”
With everything appearing to be taking shape at Charlton, there just might be another cause for another women’s football celebration next summer, but a little bit closer to home.
Images of Emily Simpkins provided with thanks to Charlton Athletic Women.