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Charly Clifford Commits to Charlton Charley Clifford has committed her future to Charlton Athletic by extending her stay in south London ahead of the 2020/21 season. Clifford is a product of the Addicks centre of excellence and has gone on to make 265 appearances for the club and is just seven games away from equalling the all-time record for most appearances for Charlton Athletic Women, currently held by first team coach Kim Dixson. She follows Rachel Newborough, Alice Griffiths, Lilli Maple and Grace Coombs in extending her stay at Oakwood. Former England under 19 international Clifford said when signing her new deal “We have something to prove this season so I’m looking forward to the challenge!” Last season, Clifford made 10 appearances for The Addicks in the FA Women’s Championship and went on to score four goals. The 2020/21 Championship season is set to begin on September 5 with Charlton set to discover their first two opponents when the fixtures are released this coming Friday (August 7). Ellie Dorey Extends Stay At Charlton Charlton Athletic Women have announced that Ellie Dorey has re-signed for the 2020/21 season. The forward has 25 Addicks appearances to her name to date. The 24 year old signed from Women’s Super League side Brighton and Hove Albion and has impressed the Addicks fans since south London. Dorey appeared in 11 of The Addicks’ 12 fixtures in the Championship netting her only goal in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United. She also featured for Riteesh Mishra’s side in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup and Women’s FA Cup. Dorey followed Rachel Newborough and Charley Clifford in extending her stay at the club over the weekend. “I’m happy to be staying with a club that’s looked after me through injury and illness. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch and put the hard work into play, it’s felt like a lifetime.” Lily Stevens Makes Oxford Move Lily Stevens has left Crystal Palace Women to sign for Oxford United ahead of the new 2020/21 campaign. The 21 year becomes the Yellows 14th summer signing as U’s boss Liam Gilbert assembles a new squad. Stevens started her career with Reading before moving to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2019. The defender has represented Wales at various youth levels from Under 16’s to Under 19’s. The versatile Stevens who can either play in defence or midfield spent the second half of last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon before the coronavirus pandemic ended the season. Speaking on signing for Oxford United she said “I think after speaking to the manager we instantly got on really well and I really liked his values and where he wants to take the football club moving forwards. It took just one conversation to sort everything and convince me. I’ve been into a couple of sessions and I’ve met all of the girls, and it moved pretty quickly from there.” “I think the main aim for everyone at the club is to get promotion and win the league, so I’m really looking forward to that challenge.” “I like being on the ball, I like passing the ball. I’d say that I’ve got quite good vision, so I like looking for passes and trying to link up the defence to the attack. I’ve previously played with a couple of the players here already. I know Daisy [McLachlan]; I grew up playing with her at Reading, so it will be good to play with some of them again.” Stevens then went on to add how she was keeping fit during the Lockdown period as she said “I’ve had a lot of programmes to do physically, so that hasn’t been a problem, but mentally I’ve just communicating and speaking to loads of the girls and my friends who are in the same situation, staying motivated and waiting for it all to get back to normal. “I just want to play and enjoy my football, hopefully help the team in securing promotion and winning the league.” Matilde Fidalgo Leaves Manchester City Manchester City Women have confirmed that defender Matilde Fidalgo has left the club and signed for SL Benfica. A senior Portuguese international since 2013, Fidalgo joined City in May 2019 from SC Braga and made five appearances in all competitions. The right back had earlier spent eight years at CF Benfica and had a spell with Sporting CP. The 26-year-old now returns to her homeland ahead of the new season. Netherlands Scheme To Allow Women To Play In Senior Men’s Team A new pilot scheme that will allow amateur women to play in a senior men’s team in the Netherlands has been approved by the Dutch Football Association. The KNVB has given permission for one woman – 19-year-old Elle Fokkema – to join fourth-tier VV Foarut for the 2020-21 season. The pilot could lead to regulations amended permanently to allow more women to play ‘category A’ men’s football. “The KNVB stands for diversity and equality,” the organisation’s head of development Art Langeler said. “We believe that there should be room for everyone in every way in football.” In a statement, Langeler confirmed the KNVB receives a request from an association “every year” to allow women to play in a first men’s team. “In these cases there is a nice sporting challenge that we do not want to block,” Langeler added. “That is why we are starting this pilot. Experience will tell if and how it works and based on that, we could apply a change of regulation.” Mixed football in the Netherlands was introduced in 1986 and the current rules allow girls to play in those teams up to under-19 level. VV Foarut play in the ‘category A’ fourth tier of Dutch football meaning Fokkema would have been left ineligible for the first team and forced to play in a ‘category B’ team after reaching the age limit. “I was sorry that I wouldn’t be able to play with them in a team next year,” Fokkema said. “From the KNVB I was always advised to continue playing with the boys for as long as possible, so why shouldn’t it be possible? “It is quite a challenge, but that only excites me more. I dare not say how it will go, but I am very happy anyway that I can participate in this pilot.” Bristol City To move Into New Home Bristol City Women will play their home games primarily at Bath City’s Twerton Park next season, plus some matches at Ashton Gate. The move sees the Women’s Super League side leave their previous home of Stoke Gifford Stadium in north Bristol. With a capacity of 3,528 – including 1,006 seats – Twerton Park is 15 miles away but has larger terraces than Stoke Gifford’s removable, temporary seating. The Robins finished 10th of 12 teams in England’s top division last season. A club statement said: “The switch in home venue enables attendances to increase further and, subject to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, present even more supporters with the exciting opportunity to watch the Robins squad, which is filled with internationals and exciting young talent from across the world. “The move to Twerton Park will provide supporters with upgraded facilities creating a better matchday experience with more food and drink options, better transport links, as well as greater seating access.” Article by Josh Bunting – @Buntingfootball