Reading announce move to part-time status following WSL relegation | OneFootball

Reading have announced the news that the club will move to a part-time operating model over the summer following their relegation to the Barclays Women’s Championship.

The Royals made the announcement via an update on their official club website this morning.

Reading’s seven-year stay at the top level of the English game came to an end last month. The Royals were relegated on the final day of the season following a poor run of results. The Berkshire club had been operating on one of the smallest playing budgets in the league and were the only side to be affiliated to a men’s team in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Royals have today provided a club update which has confirmed that the costs of funding a full-time women’s professional team have soared in recent years. Club owner Mr Dai Yongge has been personally funding the team but Reading will now move to a part-time model to create a more sustainable platform going forward. The Royals will be one of the few teams in the Barclays Women’s Championship to be ran on a part-time basis in 2023/2024.

Confirming the move to part-time, CEO Dayong Pang said “Difficult but necessary financial decisions are being made across the business following the (men’s) club’s relegation to League One last season. After discussions with The FA, the decision to operate Reading FC Women on a part-time basis represents the most viable solution at the present time.

“We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and unquestionable dedication to Reading Football Club of Kelly Chambers, her coaching staff, the players and all of the staff. The club will now be working extremely hard to build a team to proudly represent our town in the WSL Championship in the 2023/2024 campaign.

“Our owner, Mr Dai Yongge, has his full focus concentrated on our club’s rebuild. He is fully committed to consolidating our efforts into a sensible and sustainable reset, designed to bring success back to RG2.”

As a result of today’s news, the vast majority of Reading’s playing staff are expected to move on with the club forming a new part-time squad for next season.