After a Charlton career spanning over two decades, Kim Dixson will leave the club to pursue new opportunities.
The former midfielder, who hails from south London, joined the Addicks at just nine years of age and progressed through the Centre of Excellence, now known as the Regional Talent Club (RTC), right the way through the age ranks up to the first team.
In 2005, at the age of 17, Dixson, who developed into a midfield maestro and the proud wearer of the number four shirt, earned her senior debut coming off the bench against Reading.
“When I was 17/18 Keith Bonas was my manager, the squad that we had back then was ridiculous and I was trying to push for a first-team place with the likes of Katie Chapman, Casey Stoney and Hillsy [Karen Hills] as well.”
During the mid-2000s the Addicks were one of the high-flying teams in the league competing for top of spot with Arsenal.
2005 proved to be a famous year for the club when Charlton lifted the FA Cup for the first time after edging Everton 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground.
With this undeniably competitive dressing room filled with England stars, Dixson was fully aware that she would have to impress to make the grade.
To help further aid her development in 2007, she flew 1,100 miles north to Iceland as she played in a summer league and it was during this time that the midfielder received her U23 England call-up, but when she returned back to Charlton, the club was disbanded.
“The worst scenario for me happened when the club lost its status and the disbanding. At the time I was on loan in Iceland getting first-team experience to come back to be ready to play the first team.
“Paul Mortimer came in when the Community Trust took over and took it over and started the rebuild of where we are now, and then Riteesh [Mishra] after that - another really great manager and a really great friend to me as well now.”
Dixson went on to lead her team to the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division title in 2010/11, and to the FA Women's National League Play-Off Final in 2017/18, when they beat Blackburn Rovers to clinch a place in the FA Women's Championship.
Dixson went on to win various other cup finals, including the Capital and Ryman Cups but most memorably the FA Women's National League Cup in 2014/15 beating Sheffield on penalties.
Equally impressive to this was the fact that not only was Dixson playing as club captain, but she was also coaching, looking to play her part in developing the next generation of players coming through the Charlton ranks.
“From the age of 18 I started coaching and I have done literally every age group. I used to train in the evenings, and I did the RTC before it, I used to coach from 6pm-7.30pm and trained from 8pm.”
Shortly after the promotion-winning season in 2017/18, Dixson retired to pursue other opportunities with the Addicks.
She then went on to spend the last four seasons coaching at Charlton from Development Centre/RTC level to first team where she was assistant to Riteesh Mishra in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.
Last season Dixson took on the role of U21s Head Coach and led them to the FA Women's National League Reserve Southern Division title where they were unbeaten, and now after 23 years with the Addicks Dixson feels ready for a fresh challenge.
“Last season I think it was really good to be the manager of the U21s and have that sort of responsibility and really enjoyed it but I feel ready for a fresh challenge.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all the managers that I have had and players that I have coached and a big thank you to everyone at Charlton. I'm now looking forward to supporting Charlton from the stands."
The club would like to share their deepest thanks and gratitude towards Kim for all she has done throughout her time at Charlton and wish her the best on her next adventure.