Fulham Women FC director of football Fred Brockwell has urged the FA to financially back women's football following the demise of Premier League side Charlton Athletic Women last month.

The Valley-based side, one of the few teams able to challenge Arsenal's dominance of the women's game in this country, had their funding lifeline slashed by the club after the men's team were relegated to the Championship.

The Charlton Community Trust has bailed out the Addicks women, albeit on a tighter budget, but Brockwell, whose Kingston-based club suffered a similar fate two years ago, believes the FA should step in for the good of women's football.

"Charlton are in the same position we were in last year, but they have been given time to get themselves organised. That didn't happen for us," he said. "It has been a remarkable achievement to keep this club going - a miracle.

"It's going to be very difficult for Charlton.

"With the amount of money involved in the FA and football generally, all it would need is a grant."

Fulham Women, the game's first fully professional team and winners of all three domestic trophies in 2003, were relegated from the top flight last season after being forced to field youngsters in the aftermath of funding cuts.

But, with a new home ground at Burnham FC in Buckinghamshire and training facilities at Kingsmeadow, they are on their way back.

New signings Ann-Marie Heatherson (Charlton) and Sarah Lipscombe (Reading Royals) have led an impressive pre-season.

Heatherson hit an incredible 16 goals in four friendlies, and took that form into Sunday's National League Cup tie against Team Bath, netting twice in a 6-1 victory.