Charitable start for women's football

Charlton: Formerly known as Croydon - FA Cup winners.

The kick-off to the most exciting women's football season ever takes place on Sunday.

Arsenal take on London rivals Charlton (formerly Croydon) in the FA Women's Charity match at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

The pre-season battle will be hotly contested as the Women's Premier League Cup holders, Arsenal were the team that denied Charlton the treble last season after they took the FA Women's Premier League title and the FA Cup.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier is backing England's fastest growing sport and the launch of the charity match.

We wanted to start the women's season off with a bang

  Adam Crozier, FA chief executive

"We wanted to start the women's season off with a bang and this game should do just that," he said.

"Arsenal and Charlton won all three cup competitions between them last season and will be challenging for honours again," he added.

The two sides - along with Yorkshire outfit Doncaster Belles and Merseysiders Everton - have dominated the game in recent seasons.

Close run

The match, in support of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, should be a close run affair with a number of international players on show.

The FA hope it will provide the boost needed to increase awareness of the women's game at the highest level after committing themselves to establishing a professional league within the next three years.