Charlotte Wardlaw: “You’ve Got To Take Every Game Like It’s A Derby”.

Charlotte Wardlaw is embracing the pressure that comes with Newcastle United’s ambition to reach the Women’s Super League.

The midfielder is heading into the new season with one clear objective: promotion.
Newcastle have made no secret of their intentions, and Wardlaw believes the club has put everything in place to give the squad the best possible chance of achieving them.
“It’s a lot to say you want to get promoted, but I think we know we’re fully backed and supported and the club’s doing everything to make it possible,” Wardlaw said.
Pre-season has already given the squad an opportunity to build momentum, with Newcastle having played a couple of fixtures while continuing to integrate a number of new faces.
“It’s been going really well,” Wardlaw said. “We’ve played a couple of fixtures already and it’s just getting used to all the new faces. It’s just exciting.”
That excitement is matched by the expectations surrounding the club. Newcastle are among the sides expected to challenge at the top of WSL2, but rather than shying away from those expectations, Wardlaw sees them as an opportunity.
“We know that that’s an expectation from ourselves and probably from other clubs, but we’re using that in a positive way to push on.”
Closing the gap
For Wardlaw, promotion is not simply something Newcastle talk about; it is influencing their day-to-day work.
Every training session is viewed as another opportunity to improve, with the ultimate aim of closing the gap between WSL2 and the top flight.
“We’re just looking to always better ourselves,” she explained. “Every training session, it’s to go towards the goal of getting up to the league and to get promoted, and to close that gap.”
The midfielder also highlighted the importance of being dominant and maintaining high standards throughout the campaign.
That mentality will be tested by what promises to be an increasingly competitive WSL2, a league Wardlaw believes has grown significantly in visibility.
“I think it’s massive,” she said of the importance of media coverage.
“It’s a league that everyone’s become so much more aware of. It’s not just the WSL — this league is also considered one of the most competitive leagues.”
For Wardlaw, greater coverage gives players the opportunity to showcase exactly what the league has to offer.
“I think that is due to a lot of the media coverage and we’re being put on a platform to go and show what we can do.”
Derby day awaits
While every fixture will carry importance in Newcastle’s promotion campaign, the derby meetings with Sunderland will inevitably attract extra attention.
Wardlaw has already experienced the atmosphere of playing at St James’ Park, having featured there twice, and knows exactly what makes the occasion so special.
“It’s electric and it’s a game that everyone looks for when you see the fixture list,” she said.
The midfielder believes derby matches can reveal plenty about a player’s character — and they are fixtures she particularly enjoys.
“I think the derby games show your character,” Wardlaw explained. “For me, a game like that is something I thrive in and a bit of the rivalry and maybe the darker side of the game of how tense it can get.”
However, Newcastle will not be allowing the occasion to distract them from their ultimate objective.
Wardlaw insists the preparation will remain the same, regardless of the opposition.
“We know how intense the derby game is, so we try and take that away from it,” she said.
“At the end of the day, we need to get three points regardless of the opposition.”
There is still an understanding of what the fixture means to the supporters and the wider city.
“We appreciate how important that fixture is to the city, so we know that’s something we need to make sure we make our city proud.”
And with WSL2 expected to be fiercely competitive, Wardlaw believes Newcastle must approach every fixture with the same intensity.
“You’ve got to take every game like it’s a derby game, really.”
Family behind the footballer
Wardlaw’s development has been heavily influenced by the support of her family.
Her father has been particularly important, helping nurture her love of football from a young age and putting in the extra work away from formal training.
“He’s always loved football, so as I’ve grown up I think I’ve always been around football and he’s always been the one that’s done the extras with me, training with me.”
But she is quick to recognise the sacrifices made by her mum and sister too.
“I think my mum and my sister have also really been inspiring and really sacrificed a lot for me to achieve my goals.”
That support has helped Wardlaw develop not just as a footballer, but as a leader within a team that she believes has a strong collective spirit.
Leading on and off the pitch
Wardlaw wants to be an influential figure within Newcastle’s squad, whether that comes through her performances on the pitch or her contribution away from it.
“I want to obviously be influential, even if that’s on the pitch, off the pitch,” she said.
With competition for places expected to be high, she understands that opportunities will have to be earned.
“We’ve all got the same ambition,” she said. “Everyone knows that you are not going to play every game, but you are also going to have your opportunities to take it. Everything is about the team.”
Maintaining that team spirit could prove vital during a long promotion campaign.
Wardlaw also acknowledges that the season will not always go according to plan and has developed her own approach to dealing with difficult results.
“You’ve got to acknowledge the result and not hide away from it,” she said.
“Tough results happen. We are already aware that this season is not always going to be smooth sailing.”
For Wardlaw, the key is finding a way to reset both individually and collectively.
She relies on conversations with friends and family before focusing on moving forward and putting “your best foot forward.”
Enjoying the journey
For all the ambition, expectations, and targets ahead, Wardlaw’s biggest piece of advice to herself is surprisingly simple: enjoy it.
The midfielder admits it can be easy to become so focused on achieving long-term goals that the journey itself gets overlooked.
“I think you can get a bit caught up in chasing your goals that you sometimes don’t appreciate the hard work you’re putting in,” she said.
“So just put in the hard work, but also just enjoy the experience.”
For Newcastle, the destination is clear; Promotion to the WSL.
For Wardlaw, there is also the prospect of a senior Scotland call-up, the intensity of derby day and the chance to continue developing alongside an ambitious squad.
The hard work has already begun. Now, Wardlaw wants Newcastle to enjoy the journey – while making sure they take every opportunity to take the next step.

Newcastle have made no secret of their intentions, and Wardlaw believes the club has put everything in place to give the squad the best possible chance of achieving them. “It’s a lot to say you want to get promoted, but I think we know we’re fully backed and supported and the club’s doing everything to make it possible,” Wardlaw said.

Pre-season has already allowed the squad to build momentum, with Newcastle having played a couple of fixtures while continuing to integrate several new faces. “It’s been going really well,” Wardlaw said. “We’ve played a couple of fixtures already, and it’s just getting used to all the new faces. It’s just exciting.”

That excitement is matched by the expectations surrounding the club. Newcastle are among the sides expected to challenge at the top of WSL2, but rather than shying away from those expectations, Wardlaw sees them as an opportunity. “We know that that’s an expectation from ourselves and probably from other clubs, but we’re using that in a positive way to push on.”

Closing The Gap

For Wardlaw, promotion is not simply something Newcastle talk about; it is influencing their day-to-day work.

Every training session is viewed as another opportunity to improve, with the ultimate aim of closing the gap between WSL2 and the top flight. “We’re just looking to better ourselves,” she explained. “Every training session, it’s to go towards the goal of getting up to the league and to get promoted, and to close that gap.”

The midfielder also highlighted the importance of being dominant and maintaining high standards throughout the campaign.

That mentality will be tested by what promises to be an increasingly competitive WSL2, a league Wardlaw believes has grown significantly in visibility. “I think it’s massive,” she said of the importance of media coverage. It’s a league that everyone’s become so much more aware of. It’s not just the WSL; this league is also considered one of the most competitive leagues.”

For Wardlaw, greater coverage allows players to showcase exactly what the league has to offer. “I think that is due to a lot of the media coverage and we’re being put on a platform to go and show what we can do.”

Derby Day Awaits

While every fixture will carry importance in Newcastle’s promotion campaign, the derby meetings with Sunderland will inevitably attract extra attention.

Wardlaw has already experienced the atmosphere of playing at St James’ Park, having featured there twice, and knows exactly what makes the occasion so special. “It’s electric, and it’s a game that everyone looks for when you see the fixture list,” she said.

The midfielder believes derby matches can reveal plenty about a player’s character and they are fixtures she particularly enjoys. “I think the derby games show your character,” Wardlaw explained. “For me, a game like that is something I thrive in and a bit of the rivalry and maybe the darker side of the game of how tense it can get.”

However, Newcastle will not be allowing the occasion to distract them from their ultimate objective.

Wardlaw insists the preparation will remain the same, regardless of the opposition. “We know how intense the derby game is, so we try and take that away from it,” she said. “At the end of the day, we need to get three points regardless of the opposition.”

There is still an understanding of what the fixture means to the supporters and the wider city.
“We appreciate how important that fixture is to the city, so we know that’s something we need to make sure we make our city proud.”

There is still an understanding of what the fixture means to the supporters and the wider city. “We appreciate how important that fixture is to the city, so we know that’s something we need to make sure we make our city proud.”

And with WSL2 expected to be fiercely competitive, Wardlaw believes Newcastle must approach every fixture with the same intensity. “You’ve got to take every game like it’s a derby game, really.”

Family Behind The Footballer

Wardlaw’s development has been heavily influenced by the support of her family.

Her father has been particularly important, helping nurture her love of football from a young age and putting in the extra work away from formal training. “He’s always loved football, so as I’ve grown up I think I’ve always been around football and he’s always been the one that’s done the extras with me, training with me.”

But she is quick to recognise the sacrifices made by her mum and sister too. “I think my mum and my sister have also really been inspiring and really sacrificed a lot for me to achieve my goals.”

That support has helped Wardlaw develop not just as a footballer, but as a leader within a team that she believes has a strong collective spirit.

Leading On and Off The Pitch

Her father has been particularly important, helping nurture her love of football from a young age and putting in the extra work away from formal training.
“He’s always loved football, so as I’ve grown up I think I’ve always been around football and he’s always been the one that’s done the extras with me, training with me.”

Wardlaw wants to be an influential figure within Newcastle’s squad, whether that comes through her performances on the pitch or her contribution away from it. “I want to obviously be influential, even if that’s on the pitch, off the pitch,” she said.

With competition for places expected to be high, she understands that opportunities will have to be earned. “We’ve all got the same ambition,” she said. “Everyone knows that you are not going to play every game, but you are also going to have your opportunities to take it. Everything is about the team.”

Maintaining that team spirit could prove vital during a long promotion campaign.

With competition for places expected to be high, she understands that opportunities will have to be earned.

Wardlaw also acknowledges that the season will not always go according to plan and has developed her own approach to dealing with difficult results. “You’ve got to acknowledge the result and not hide away from it,” she said. “Tough results happen. We are already aware that this season is not always going to be smooth sailing.”

For Wardlaw, the key is finding a way to reset both individually and collectively. She relies on conversations with friends and family before focusing on moving forward and putting “your best foot forward.”

Enjoying The Journey

For all the ambition, expectations, and targets ahead, Wardlaw’s biggest piece of advice to herself is surprisingly simple: enjoy it.

The midfielder admits it can be easy to become so focused on achieving long-term goals that the journey itself gets overlooked. “I think you can get a bit caught up in chasing your goals that you sometimes don’t appreciate the hard work you’re putting in,” she said. “So just put in the hard work, but also just enjoy the experience.”

For Newcastle, the destination is clear: promotion to the WSL. For Wardlaw, there is also the prospect of a senior Scotland call-up, the intensity of derby day and the chance to continue developing alongside an ambitious squad.

The hard work has already begun. Now, Wardlaw wants Newcastle to enjoy the journey – while making sure they take every opportunity to take the next step.