Reading’s withdrawal from Barclays Women’s Championship confirmed | OneFootball

The Football Association and Women’s Professional Game have confirmed that Reading have withdrawn from the Barclays Women’s Championship.

WSL Full-Time were informed of the news via an official press release from The Football Association and Women’s Professional Game this morning.

The situation at Reading has deteriorated in recent weeks and the club are understood to have informed players and staff of their intention to withdraw from the Women’s Professional Game on Friday. The Football Association and Women’s Professional Game have now confirmed that Reading will not be able to meet the ongoing compliance requirements needed to continue to operate in the Barclays Women’s Championship next season and they will therefore no longer be a member of the league.

Reading have successfully applied to re-enter the footballing pyramid at Tier 5 level and they will be placed into the Southern Region Football League Premier Division from the start of the 2024/2025 season.

The Football Association and Women’s Professional Game have been working with Reading for several weeks in a bid to find a solution to their problems. While The Royals’ Barclays Women’s Championship status could not be saved, The Football Association and Women’s Professional Game will continue to support the club, staff and players during this difficult period.

Speaking following this morning’s announcement, Dawn Airey, Chair of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship Board said “We are very disappointed that Reading FC Women have decided to withdraw from the Barclays Women’s Championship. We have been working closely with the club throughout the season and have made every effort to find a solution and to prevent this outcome.

“We are deeply saddened by the impact this will have on the Reading FC Women players, staff and fans, as they have all played a key role in women’s football and within their wider community. It was also very important to us to find a way to ensure that Reading FC Women could continue to participate in the Women’s Football Pyramid next season.

“Our priority now is to focus on supporting the current players and staff members at the club, including the Professional Game Academy, to ensure that they have every opportunity to continue to participate in the women’s game.”

There will be no reprieve for relegated Barclays Women’s Championship club Lewes ahead of the 2024/2025 season. It has been confirmed that the competition will be contested by the 11 remaining member clubs. Just one team will be relegated to the FA Women’s National League in the upcoming season.