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      Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard agrees terms to historic takeover of women’s side

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      THOMAS SANDGAARD has agreed terms of a historic takeover of Charlton Women.
      The women’s side has been a separate organisation from the men’s team for more than a decade.

      Thomas Sandgaard has agreed terms of a historic takeover of Charlton Women

      The takeover would bring the two clubs under the same ownership for the first time since 2007.
      Addicks Women were controversially booted out and were kept afloat initially by Charlton Athletic Community Trust and then by fan and local businessman Stephen King.
      Sandgaard completed a takeover of the men’s side from East Street Investments in August.
      He said: “I am looking forward to being able to complete the takeover of Charlton Athletic Women.

      “I have loved my first few months in charge of the club and people will have probably seen that I’ve been bitten by the Charlton bug. 
      “One of the first things I did when I was in London after the takeover was go and watch Charlton Athletic Women play and I knew then that I wanted to bring the two clubs back together.
      “Women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and you can see that a lot of the big clubs are investing in their women’s team.

      “My long-term aim for Charlton is to reach the highest levels with both the men’s team and the women’s team, so I’m looking forward to getting started.”

      The team currently play in the Championship and signed five aces ahead of the January transfer deadline.
      King added: “I am delighted to be able to direct Charlton Athletic Women into such safe hands.
      “The last ten years has been an exciting yet challenging time in charge with some great highs, including the promotion in 2018 and turning semi-professional.”

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      Arsenal teenager Rugby Mace joins Birmingham City on season long loan in a boost to Carla Ward’s injury hit side

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      ARSENAL teen Ruby Mace has joined Birmingham City until the end of the season.
      The 17-year-old is a duel signing, meaning she will remain a registered player with the Arsenal academy and can compete in youth games with the Gunners.

      Ruby Mace will be joining Birmingham City until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The defender shared the news via Instagram and said she was “delighted” to be joining Blues.
      She said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to loan out to Birmingham, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.”
      The news was welcomed by fellow Blues stars who shared their well wishes on the post.
      Christie Murray said: “Looking forward to playing with you Ruby! Welcome to Blues.”

      And Abbi grant added: “Welcome girl.”
      Boss Carla Ward also expressed her joy over Mace’s loan move.
      She said: “I am delighted that Arsenal have allowed us the opportunity to work with Ruby, she’s a gifted young player with so much potential.
      “This a great opportunity for her to come in and get valuable WSL experience and add some real quality to the group.”

      The move will suit Mace as she is likely to get more playing time with Blues after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.

      Blues boss Carla Ward also shared her optimism about the moveCredit: PA:Press Association

      Her first team opportunities have been limited since a host of stars returned from injury, meaning Mace hasn’t featured in any games since November.
      Blues fans won’t have to wait long to see the England national in action as it is rumoured she could make her debut against Everton this weekend.
      It is hoped that she can add some steel to their defence and help them improve on their WSL position where they currently languish in 8th place.

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      Scotland ace Hanson seals new deal to extend Man United career for three more seasons

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      KIRSTY HANSON has signed a new contract with Manchester United that will see her remain at the club until June 2024.
      And the Scotland striker, who helped her team win promotion to the women’s top-flight, could have the option extend her stay at the end of 2023-24 season.  

      Kirsty Hanson has signed a new contract that will keep her at Man United until June 2024Credit: Rex Features

      Hanson was part of the United squad that won promotion to the WSL in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hanson, 22, has made 57 appearances netting 11 times across all competitions since moving to Casey Stoney’s side from the Doncaster Belles in July 2018.
      And the lifelong Red Devils fan, who came on as a sub during her team’s 2-0 win against Everton, could be in the running for a place in the squad that plays Reading. 
      Hanson said: “This club means so much to me; I have grown up as a United fan, played in  the girls’ academy, and I’m now part of the senior side competing in one of  the most competitive leagues in the women’s game, which is a dream come true. 
      “It makes me proud seeing the way we have developed over the last few years and I am so happy to be signing a new contract. 

      “I feel like I’m improving as a player every single day and that is down to the environment here, we as players push each other constantly, and Casey and the staff have given me the confidence and belief to express myself on the pitch. 
      “I am really excited to continue my journey here and I know we can achieve some big  things in the future.” 

      Hanson was part of the newly formed Manchester United side that won promotion to the WSL from the Women’s Championship ahead of the 2019-20 season. 
      And the former Liverpool youth forward is one of seven players to have returned to United as a senior player following a spell at the club’s Centre of Excellence. 

      United boss Stoney said: “I’m so happy Kirsty has committed her future to the club, she is a fantastic player and character to have in our environment. 
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      Hanson and her United team-mates are battling for the WSL crown this seasonCredit: Rex Features
      “Her strong performances at club level have resulted in regular call ups with the senior Scotland team which I know is something she is extremely proud of, so long may that continue during her time with us too.
      “Her work ethic is incredible and she is very much a student of the game, she is constantly looking to improve which as a head coach is always pleasing to see. 
      “The future is bright for Kirsty and I am looking forward to continuing our work with her for many years to  come.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Chelsea ace Pernille Harder says facilities and opportunities should be main focus in equality battle – not wages

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      PERNILLE HARDER says she thinks the equality battle in football should be focused on facilities and opportunities rather than on salaries.
      Harder, 28, said that while men and women’s football salaries may never be par, she believes that their academies and training facilities should be on a similar level.

      Harder says the equality fight should be focused on facilities and opportunities for womenCredit: PA:Press Association

      Harder believes women’s football shouldn’t always be focused on comparing salaries to men’s gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      While speaking on Uefa’s The Football Podcast, she said: “Equality is having the same facilities and opportunities to succeed as the men’s team.
      “It’s not equal pay that we’re asking for right now – we want equal opportunities and the respect for what we do every day.
      “I want to see equal opportunities for young boys and girls. You see a lot of good football academies for boys – where are the ones for girls?
      “There is a big opportunity there. Can you imagine if girls had the same opportunities as the boys? There was nothing like that when I was young.

      “My parents had to drive hours to take us to training – girls have to work a lot harder for it.”
      Harder went on to say that this is something she is passionate about and hoped that her record breaking transfer to Chelsea can help shed light on the issue.
      She added: “I’m passionate about it and I want to speak up when I have the opportunity.
      “To make the world a better place, we have to change the mindset of the decision makers – we have to speak up and let them see we aren’t satisfied.

      “I hope my record-breaking signing for Chelsea is the start of something new for women’s football.
      “Everyone should have the same opportunities in life – it shouldn’t matter what sex you are, what religion you follow, or what skin colour you have. I want to fight for these things.”
      The Danish striker has had a glittering career thus far and has won an array of awards including the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2018.
      She was also shortlisted for the women’s FIFA best Footballer Award in November 2020.
      Harder has been a revelation since she joined the Blues from Wolfsburg in September last year for a record fee of over £250,000.
      Blues boss Emma Hayes has credited her for playing a major part in their recent success.
      Hayes said: “Pernille has got a fantastic mentality and one that has put her where she is today.
      “I think it’s important to note that we, as a football club, can’t take any of the credit for this.
      “What I know about the best – and I have coached a lot of top players in my career – is that they have unbelievable attention to detail. 
      “And the best always do it on training pitch, day-in, day-out, and Pernille is exceptional in training. 
      “The goals she has contributed, the assists and the involvement she has in creating our goals have been unbelievable.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Crystal Palace star Leigh Nicol reveals hell over having iCloud hacked and private images leaked to adult sites

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      CRYSTAL PALACE midfielder Leigh Nicol has opened up on her traumatising experience of having private images leaked online.
      The Scot, 25, took a year out of the game and shut her social media accounts after the terrifying discovery in the spring of 2019.

      Leigh Nicol has revealed her trauma at having private images leaked onlineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Nicol is now ready to speak out on her experience in a bid to help others educate themselves on the adult online world.
      She told Sky Sports: “The sickness was extreme.
      “It was a mixture between having a panic attack and being sick. It got to the point where there was nothing to sick up and that went on for weeks.
      “When I take myself back to that place, I can still feel the sickness in my tummy.

      “It was a vicious cycle. There was never a point where I was sitting there and feeling calm.
      “There was always some form of emotion, whether it was sickness, anxiety, sadness or tears. It was absolutely atrocious.
      “I still suffer with anxiety. I still have moments where I cannot get out of bed. It could be something so stupid that triggers me and puts me in a bad place again.”
      Nicol was a star of the Celtic academy in her teens before a move to Arsenal in 2013, which was followed by stints with Reading, London Bees and Millwall.

      People watch these videos and do not realise the damage to people’s lives.
      Leigh Nicol

      After being told of the leak, she suffered from suicidal thoughts and panic attacks.
      Therapy sessions were organised by the PFA and she hopes to use her experience to raise awareness.
      Nicol continued: “It is just about educating people.
      “I did not even know this was a thing. I had always assumed that the people in these videos put it out there themselves and I was OK with that.
      “It did not really cross my mind that this could be anyone. There is ignorance. I was ignorant.
      “People watch these videos and do not realise the damage to people’s lives. They are giving these websites a lot of money with their views, their sharing and their downloading but there are victims here.
      “The damage is done for me so this is about the next generation. I feel like prevention is better than someone having to react to this.
      “I cannot change it alone but if I can raise awareness to stop it happening to others then that is what I want to do.

      Nicol has described her return with Crystal Palace as ‘key’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “There are situations where these websites have underage kids on them, for example.
      “The more that you dig into this, the more traumatising it is because there are 14-year-old kids on these websites and they don’t even know about it.”
      Nicol continues to suffer abuse online as a result of the leak and admitted she is still ‘a work in progress’ from overcoming the severe anxiety the episode has caused.
      But a return to football with Women’s Championship club Crystal Palace has been a godsend, particularly after a number of teams turned her down after hearing of her past.
      She noted: “Football has been the key to my recovery.
      “I am so grateful that I have found a club like Palace that allow me to be myself. They have supported me as a human being.

      “They didn’t really care about the past, they just offered me an opportunity to get fit and train by following their off-season programme.
      “I loved it from the moment I came back in pre-season because I was so proud of the place I had gotten myself to physically.
      “From the moment I walked through the doors, I have not looked back. When we got the first win and first clean sheet, that is when I remembered there was no better feeling in the world.
      “I had missed that emotion.”

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      England goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck pens three-year contract extension with Man City

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      ELLIE ROEBUCK has penned a new three-year deal with Manchester City to keep her at the club until 2024.
      The 21-year-old goalkeeper revealed she looking forward to “exciting times ahead” after extending her contract with City.

      Ellie Roebuck has penned a new three-year deal with Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The new deal comes after she helped City retain the Women’s FA Cup in DecemberCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      The club and the youngster shared the exciting news on Tuesday .
      City tweeted: “Yes Ellie Roebuck has signed a new three-year deal.”
      To which Roebuck responded: “Three more years in blue. Exciting times ahead with this team.”
      Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We are really pleased to secure Ellie’s future with us and look forward to seeing her add to the continued success she has had so far here at Manchester City in the years to come.”

      Women’s Managing Director, Gavin Makel said: “I’m delighted that Ellie has committed her future with the Club.
      “Since she joined us as a teenager, we have seen just how hard she has worked to develop into the player that she is today.
      “I know that she has the drive and hunger in wanting to continue to progress and I am excited to see what her future holds.”
      The new deal comes after an amazing season for Roebuck, where she secured the WSL’s first-ever Golden Glove award, and helped City retain the FA Cup.

      But she still remains hungry for silverware and has eyes on a quadruple trophy haul this season/
      When asked what a successful season would be, she said: “A Champions League medal, a League medal, a Conti Cup medal, an FA Cup medal and hopefully, an Olympic gold medal and then I’ll be quite content.”

      Roebuck started her career with City in 2015 and it has been on a meteoric rise since.
      She signed her professional contract with them in 2018, and played a key role in helping the club lift the Continental Cup and FA Cup.
      During the same year she also made her debut for England’s national team and has become their no.1 shot-stopper.

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      Emma Hayes rubbishes AFC Wimbledon role as step up from Chelsea job as ‘insult’ to women’s football

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      EMMA HAYES has slapped down speculation linking her to League One strugglers AFC Wimbledon.
      And the Chelsea boss rubbished the view that the Dons’ managers job would be a step up from her current role at the helm of the WSL champs. 

      Emma Hayes says AFC Wimbledon cannot afford her Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hayes has dismissed rumours linking her to the vacant manager’s role at AFC Wimbledon Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hayes, 44, was speaking to journalists following reports of her being shortlisted to become AFC Wimbledon’s new manager. 
      But the Blues gaffer revealed she is happy to be leading her WSL title-winners and that her focus is on Chelsea’s Conti Cup semis clash with West Ham. 
      And the highly-rated coach reckons the Dons could ‘absolutely not’ afford her. 
      Hayes said: “First of all, I think it’s important we talk about my game tomorrow – I’m the manager of Chelsea. 

      “I manage and represent elite world-class players and for me, this is an amazing job I’ve spent nine years cultivating all of my energy into. 
      “I’m not looking for another job, I’m blessed with working with wonderful humans day-in, day-out.
      “I just don’t know why anybody would think women’s football is a step down. 
      “If coaching World Cup champions, winners, players who have represented their countries in the Olympics or Euros is a step down from anything.

      “I think the football world needs to wake up and recognise that women’s football- while the game is played by a different gender to men – is exactly the same sport.”
      “This is not a conversation about Emma Hayes and AFC Wimbledon, but we should be having larger conversations about creating opportunities in the men’s game are not limited to those in privileged positions.”

      Hayes has won 11 major trophies with Chelsea’s women’s side Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Hayes, who is highly regarded by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, has won 11 major trophies with the club. 
      A move to the Dons would have seen the Camden-born coach become the first woman in history to take charge of a men’s football league side.

      Women’s football is not a step down from anything
      Emma Hayes

      However the former Arsenal assistant manager questioned why anyone would want to leave elite women’s football management for coaching a lower tier men’s side battling relegation.
      And her view was echoed by England Women’s legend Fara Williams who believes Hayes would face an uphill struggle in the Dons’ hotseat. 
      England’s most-capped player said: “Do I see it as a good opportunity for Emma to go and take on a relegation battle with a League One club? No. I think the odds would all be against her going into that position.
      “The positions she’s in with Chelsea is a much better position.”
      WRONG STEP
      Hayes added: “Women’s football is not a step down from anything. 
      “Women’s football in its right is something to celebrate and the quality and achievements of all the females I represent.
      “Fran Kirby, Pernille Harder, Beth England, Magda Eriksson, Millie Bright, Maren Mjelde, do you want me to keep going? 
      “These are world-class players and I think that’s what I’m disappointed with, not being linked to a football job as a football coach, regardless of gender.
      “But as you can see with – I’m happy at Chelsea and I love my job here and I’ve always been clear about that. Nothing has changed.” 
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Hayes says she is happy to be managing world-class talent at the BluesCredit: Prime Media

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      Reading ace Williams thinks odds could be ‘stacked against’ Emma Hayes in AFC Wimbledon hotseat

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      FARA WILLIAMS reckons Emma Hayes could face an uphill struggle if she takes charge of AFC Wimbledon. 
      And the England Women’s legend thinks the highly-rated Chelsea manager is better off at the helm of the WSL champs.

      Reading ace Fara Williams believes Emma Hayes would be better off staying as Chelsea bossCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Emma Hayes is reportedly on the short-list for the vacant manager role at AFC WimbledonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Williams, 37, who is the country’s most decorated Lioness, was speaking hours after the Express revealed Hayes is reportedly on the shortlist to become the next Dons manager.  
      Such a move would see the Kingsmeadow chief, who led Chelsea to a record-breaking 33 game unbeaten run, become the first woman in history to boss a men’s football league outfit. 
      The League One strugglers, who are currently one place above the drop zone, called time on Glyn Hodges’ tenure after a 2-0 loss to arch-rivals MK Dons.
      Williams told talkSPORT 2’s Women’s Football Weekly: “I think it’s credit to the work Emma has done over the past years and certainly for the past year with her Chelsea team. 

      “Do I see it as a good opportunity for Emma to go and take on a relegation battle with a League One club? No.
      “I think the odds would all be against her going into that position 
      “I would say the position she is in at the minute with Chelsea is a much better position for her.
      “But I think it’s great that she is being spoken about in that bracket to go and work within the men’s game. 

      “If it is to happen, it’s fantastic and it opens up doors for many other women within the game.” 

      Hayes, 44, is highly regarded by Chelsea owner Roman AbramovichCredit: PA:Press Association

      Hayes, 44, whose Blues will take on West Ham in the Conti Cup semis, is considered to be one of the best coaches in women’s football.
      In addition to leading Chelsea to three league titles and two FA Cups, the Camden-born gaffer won 11 major trophies during her three-season spell as Arsenal’s assistant manager. 
      Hayes, who joined Chelsea in 2012, is reportedly being eyed for the AFC Wimbledon post alongside ex-Dons players Ian Holloway and Luke Garrard, and ex-England and Gunners star Sol Campbell.

      We just need somebody to break the mould
      Emma Hayes

      Other names being touted include Morecambe coach Derek Adams and former Fleetwood manager Joey Barton.
      Days before the story broke Hayes told SunSport that she hoped to see women coaching men’s sides in the future.
      The Chelsea boss said:”I’m like everyone, I would hope for a fair and equal society and making great strides to create opportunities for women in the men’s game. 
      “Are we at the stage where a Premier League or Championship club is close to hiring a female?
      “You would have to ask the board because they’re the people that have to make the decisions about who they hire.
      “I just hope we do start to see more females coaching teams like you see across American sports.
      “And I suspect that when that happens the first time and there is a success to it, that it will happen subsequently. 
      “We just need somebody to break the mould.”

      Hayes has led Chelsea to 11 major trophy wins since taking charge of the WSL side in 2012Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Reading ace Williams, who is working with England Women’s Under-17s as part of an FA Elite Coaching Programme, believes Hayes could blaze a trail for women managers in men’s game. 
      And the Royals striker, who has 168 England caps, hopes to see the Blues gaffer one day take charge of the Lionesses.
      Williams added: “I would like to see Emma be that driving force for women to take opportunities within the men’s game.
      “I certainly think she has the capabilities to do that and I hope an opportunity comes up for her but I just don’t think this AFC Wimbledon one is the one. 
      “But for me in the long-term, I would love to see Emma Hayes – after she has achieved things at Chelsea and worked in the men’s game – take the England Women’s job further down the line. 

      Hayes and her Chelsea stars are targeting a WSL title and Champions League win this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “That would be something special.” 
      Hayes was heavily linked with managing Chelsea’s Prem side following Maurizio Sarri’s departure in 2019.
      And the Blues boss has previously worked as a W-League coach in the USA where she managed Long Island Lady Riders, Iona College and Chicago Red Stars. 
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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