Reading FC to Compete in Fifth Tier Amid Financial Challenges

Reading FC have withdrawn from the Women's Championship due to financial issues and will play in the fifth tier of women's football next season. The club requires significant owner funding to meet Championship criteria, which is currently unattainable. They will compete in the Southern Region Football League Premier Division for the 2024-25 season.

Reading have withdrawn from the Women's Championship due to financial problems and will play down in the fifth tier of women's football in the coming season, the Football Association (FA) said on Sunday. Reading, who were relegated from the Women's Super League on the final day of the 2022-23 season after an eight-year stay, finished 10th in the second-tier Championship last season.

"To continue to operate at Women's Championship level, the club requires further ownership cash injection to build a squad capable of competing and to meet the revised mandatory criteria ahead of the 2024-25 season," Reading said in a statement. That would have meant returning to full-time training and further investments in facilities and personnel.

"Unfortunately, given the current economic realities of the club, the outlay required to reach these levels are just not possible without significant owner funding," the club said. The Women's Championship will operate with 11 clubs for the 2024-25 season and will only have one relegation place rather than two, the FA said.

Reading will compete in the Southern Region Football League Premier Division from the start of the 2024-25 season, it said. According to the FA handbook, if a club wants to re-enter the women's football pyramid the following playing season, they must apply to join a league or division a minimum of two tiers below their current one.

"This decision has been made by the Women's Football Board in order to protect the integrity of the Women's Football Pyramid and the welfare of the players and staff members at the club," the FA said.

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