The club's newest recruit was named on the bench by Tanya Oxtoby for Sunday's home win against Portsmouth Women and made an immediate impact by pinning back the visitors when she was introduced in the second half.

Charley, who joined in January after leaving Orlando Pride towards the end of 2025, was full of energy on the pitch - matching what the fans at the Gateshead International Stadium were giving her from the stands.

"It was awesome for me," said the former United States under-23 international. "I'd been so excited to get out on the pitch and play in front of our fans and get playing with the girls.

"I've been so excited to start playing for this club, and the experience of just being out there was so cool for me.

"As soon as I stepped on the pitch, I was just looking to get on the ball as much as possible and be dangerous in attacks and do my role for the team, and Tanya told me to just bring the energy."

Charley was handed a little over 15 minutes against Portsmouth, but it made little to no difference to the United faithful, who already had a chant lined up for their American attacker.

"My heart was racing when I was out there, and all I could hear were the fans cheering me on, and I was feeling so excited to be playing," she added.

"The fans have been amazing and super sweet to me since I joined, and especially here at home.

"I honestly couldn't believe it when I heard them singing my name and that they'd come up with a chant for me so quickly. They're just an awesome set of fans."

With a mixture of wind, rain and a soaking pitch, Charley got a true test of winter in the North East at the weekend.

But she insisted: "I've loved being with the team on a matchday, making my debut, but also, just joining in with the team vibe and environment on the training pitch has been great.

"I'm settling in well since I made the move, and I'm starting to get used to the weather. I've bought some more jackets and long pants, so I feel like I'm prepared, wrapped up and fully settled into the area."