Reading Women will revert from a full-time programme to operating on a part-time basis ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The club have cited the “exponentially” growing financial commitments required to run the team, a drop in funding following their relegation from the Women’s Super League and a need to cut costs across the board following the men’s side’s relegation to League One as factors contributing to the decision.
Reading were relegated from the WSL to the Women’s Championship on the final day of the 2022-23 season, bringing an end to their seven-year stay in the top flight. They had been the only side not attached to a Premier League club competing in the WSL during the campaign.
Reading’s men’s side were also relegated this season as they dropped from the Championship to League One after being deducted six points in April following a breach of the English Football League’s financial rules.
According to the club, Reading owner Dai Yongge has “personally” invested £6million into Reading’s women’s team since 2018 and needed to provide just short of £1million to fund the team during the 2022-23 season.
A club statement read: “Ten years ago, funding Reading FC Women cost the club just over £100,000 per year. However, alongside the growth of the…
