For those new to Moneyfields Women, few players embody the club’s spirit and soul like Charley Wilson-Wilton.

Her football journey began at just five years old, playing for a boys’ team coached by her late uncle Fred. When the rules meant she could no longer play alongside boys at age ten, she joined Pompey Ladies—and it didn’t take long for her talent to stand out.

At Pompey, she captained the side to promotion and helped guide them to their furthest-ever FA Cup run—early signs of the leadership that would become her trademark.

After taking a three-year break from football in her mid-30s, Charley thought her playing days might be behind her. But Moneyfields manager Karl Watson, who had been her goalkeeper coach back in her Pompey days, had other ideas.

“He called, texted, begged,” she laughs. “He even came to watch me in a boxing match!” That persistence, along with encouragement from her wife, brought her back to the pitch. “The number 24 shirt was handed to me at my front door just hours after I agreed to play three games,” she recalls. “That turned into three and a half seasons.”

Since joining Moneyfields, Charley has witnessed—and contributed to—the club’s transformation. “Thanks to determination and sponsorship, we’ve become a professional club,” she says. “The kit, the training facilities, the coaching—it’s all improved massively. But the desire and DNA of Moneys? That hasn’t changed.”

Among her standout moments, captaining the team on their historic FA Cup run tops the list. “We were on TV, radio, billboards—the game streamed live on the FA Player. It was incredible. That run felt like the moment I’d always been working toward. To share it with such an amazing group was a real honour.”

Charley has also delivered when it counts. She recalls scoring a memorable brace away at Haringey, helping the team progress further in the competition. “I can’t always remember every goal,” she says, “but I remember that day clearly. Big games bring out the best in me.”

But throughout her journey, one constant has been Karl’s belief in her. “He’s always backed me,” she says. “Because of him, I feel like I’m ending my career on a high. I can’t express how much I respect Karl and appreciate what he’s done for me as a player and as a person.”

Looking ahead, Charley is optimistic about the club’s future. “Promotion. That’s the goal. The 25/26 season is Moneyfields’ year—I truly believe that.”

Though records may one day be broken, Charley’s impact, especially as captain, will be felt for years to come. “I’ve always tried to lead by example, to guide and motivate some of the league’s biggest talents. Even when I’m not wearing the armband, I’ll always be there to lift spirits and drive us forward.”

Charley Wilson-Wilton’s time at Moneyfields is more than a playing stint. It’s a legacy—one built on leadership, loyalty, and an unshakable love for the game.