by Ben Gilby (15/11/26)
Above: Grace Johnston signing on with Charlton Athletic during the close season. Photo: Charlton Athletic.
Grace Johnston has been one of the stand-out young players from Western Australia in recent seasons. That growth, consistency, and ability was rewarded with a close-season move to Charlton Athletic in the Women’s Super League.
South-East London has been quite a change from Perth for the 21-year-old – but it has importantly enabled the defender to move outside of her comfort zone, which can exceptionally character building for a young player.
“I grew up with a lot of those girls (that I played with at Perth Glory), I lived at home, it was somewhat comfortable. I must say the girls and the club at Charlton have made it a smooth changeover, everyone has welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to feel at home and another plus is it seemed to be a bit of a long summer which I have enjoyed.
“It has always been on my mind to play overseas, but especially in England and in the WSL. I grew up watching and loving the English game and I really think it’s the best league in the world.
“When Charlton came into the picture and I spoke to Karen (Hills, head coach), her philosophy and team vision was something I wanted to be a part of, it’s no secret that this season is going to be a challenge but I felt and feel like it’s something I’m ready and wanting to do.”
The extreme heat of this particular English summer may well have been familiar for Johnston when she arrived, but as the year moved towards autumn, and the new WSL campaign opened, the defender and her Charlton team-mates began to appreciate the reality of life in the WSL.
The club had been one of the strongest sides in the English game during the early 2000s when they took over the running of the successful Croydon FC. Charlton then went on to make FA Cup Final appearances and recorded second and third placed finishes in the top flight before funding was pulled in 2007.
‘The Addicks’ returned to the top level of the English game for the first time since those days in May when they won the play-off for the final spot in the WSL for 2026/27 on penalties against Leicester City.
The eagerly awaited return to the top flight was always going to be tough for the club, with financial input considerably below the majority of their opponents.
The WSL is unforgiving, and it’s always tough in the early months of the season for newly promoted sides. The danger is that with only 26 league games, you can’t afford to lose too many games too early or else the gap between the relegation zone, which now impacts two teams, and safety starts to become big.
One of Johnston’s earliest experiences with her new club was marking and tracking Canadian international Liv Smith when Charlton travelled to Arsenal for a pre-season friendly. Coming up against the £1,000,000 signing was a new challenge, but one that the Western Australian stood up to.
Looking back on that experience, and ones against other sides with top world talent, the defender smiled.
“It was a great experience (playing against Liv). Obviously, the more time and experience I get against world class players such as Smith the better. I’ve had the opportunity to now play against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City which has been great and similarly huge for my development.”
Charlton are still looking for their first win. Last weekend, they showed great attacking threat and stubborn defence as they came from behind to lead Crystal Palace 2-1 before the Eagles hit back with two goals in the final 10 minutes to take all the points.
It was a game that saw Johnston return to the Charlton line-up after dislocating her shoulder against the same opposition in the Subway Players’ Cup (previously the Conti Cup). Reflecting on that period, the young defender admitted: “It was difficult at the time to know the best course of action.
“Thanks to all the staff at Charlton we were able to come to a decision that has enabled me to get back out playing. It was a bump in the road but one we could manage.”
With hugely experienced head coach Karen Hills, who previously led Tottenham Hotspur for 11 years as they moved up the divisions into the WSL, at the helm, and more awareness of the intensity needed to compete with the opposition, Johnston is both realistic about the situation and positive at what is to come.
“I don’t think our start has been good enough so far, although we’re learning from each game and trying to take each learning into the next game. We do need results and we’re not shying away from that challenge, it’s a long season and myself and the team are ready for what awaits.
“I want to be out there playing each week and having performances I’m proud of, so being consistent in training and in games is a main focus of mine. Obviously a big aim is also getting a call up for the senior Matildas, but I think that comes with if I can stay true to and achieve my original goal.”
(c) Impetus 2026.
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