'Reading FC Women should not bear the brunt of the club's ownership woes'

Dear Editor,

The Supporters’ Trust at Reading (STAR) write to express our extreme disappointment regarding the reported withdrawal of Reading FC Women from the Women’s Championship.

We understand that this decision was not taken lightly and the position forced as they would be unable to secure a licence to operate in the Women’s Championship for the 2024/25 season.

This move undermines our Club’s integrity and the progress of women’s football.
Reading FC Women have been a source of pride for many and an inspiration to the next generation of women’s footballers across Berkshire. However, this decision not only jeopardises the future of our players and staff but also will inevitably mean the closure of the Professional Game Academy pathway; a blow to the hopes of aspiring female footballers across Berkshire.

We stand united with our community, players, and staff. We also appreciate the efforts of the Consortium that have attempted to rescue the Women’s team, and are saddened that the ownership situation has prevented its completion, be that through the actions of our existing owners or prospective owners.

The desecration of Reading FC through our absent owners is already abhorrent, reports that prospective owners have blocked rescue attempts, despite seemingly not being willing to support the Club themselves, are deeply troubling.

This decision extends beyond football. It is a decision that affects our community, gender equality and our Club’s heritage.

Unlike the Men’s team, Reading Women received no punishments for non-compliance last season. While the EFL are working with Reading FC to enable them to participate in League One for 2024/25, no such concessions appear to be in place for Reading FC Women. This disparity of treatment is unjust and our plea is not for special treatment but for fairness. Reading FC Women should not bear the brunt of ownership woes.

Dedicated staff who have given their all to the club may now face the risk of redundancy, and our Women’s players risk having their lives and careers upended. Their commitment to our Club deserves recognition and our support.

Over the last decade, we have taken immense pride in watching the growth of Reading FC Women and the wider women’s game. Fran Kirby, from our academy, became our first full-time professional in 2014. She has since had an amazing career, becoming Chelsea Women’s leading goalscorer in the modern era and winning 15 trophies along the way.

For seven years, Reading FC Women held their own in the Women’s Super League, despite being one of the few WSL sides attached to a non-Premier League club. We cheered on Mary Earps and the Lionesses as they won the Euros in 2022.

This outcome contradicts the FA’s Inspiring Positive Change strategy and the intent behind the creation of NewCo. There remains a small window until mid-July where Reading FC and the FA could resolve this.

STAR call upon the FA to:

1) Offer a new, achievable, deadline to rectify the current situation;

2) Acknowledge the significant contribution of Reading FC Women to both the local community and the professional Women’s football; and

3) Partner with Reading FC to guarantee the ongoing presence of Reading FC Women in the WSL Championship.

STAR call on Prospective Owners and Dai Yongge and Dai Xiuli (recognising this may be via Mark Bowen or Nigel Howe) to:

1) Communicate. State your plans for the future of Reading FC Women; and

2) If Reading FC Women are not a priority, promptly pass on the ownership to a party committed to preserving their status in the Women’s Championship.

STAR remains deeply committed to supporting Reading FC Women and advocating for their place in football.

Supporters' Trust at Reading