Reading FC Womens World

[Royals and Racers]

Blackburn Rovers Women have indeed pulled out of the WSL 2 due to money trohbles.

Money troubles or Blackburn saying we don’t want to pay to meet all the new criteria coming in ?
Looks a little,like what is happening in non league. Clubs are being expected to meet all sorts of non footballing criteria, often that are totally pointless. Means promotions are being decided on the basis on have you got enough covered seating and are your pies up to scratch.

Sorry but ‘ ground gradings ‘ i believe are fair enough. If teams want to climb the pyramid then grounds need to meet the relevant criteria for that step.

[Sutekh]

Blackburn Rovers Women have indeed pulled out of the WSL 2 due to money trohbles.

Money troubles or Blackburn saying we don’t want to pay to meet all the new criteria coming in ?
Looks a little,like what is happening in non league. Clubs are being expected to meet all sorts of non footballing criteria, often that are totally pointless. Means promotions are being decided on the basis on have you got enough covered seating and are your pies up to scratch.

Sorry but ‘ ground gradings ‘ i believe are fair enough. If teams want to climb the pyramid then grounds need to meet the relevant criteria for that step.

Ground gradings are fair enough but “pies” really shouldn’t be relevant

[Whore Jackie]

It's not really ground gradings and Blackburn Women played most of their games last season at Ewood Park. Problem was not many people went to watch them.

WSL 2 sides are expected to essentially operate full‑time, professional teams. The list of criteria is believed to include requirements for clubs to commit to appointing a head of women’s football, marketing manager, head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist or sports therapist, doctor, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeping coach and several people in specific safeguarding and player-welfare roles within one month of the new season kicking off.

WSL Football said in a statement: “In line with recommendations for the long-term future of women’s football, every club is asked to comply with the minimum standards as part of their membership of the leagues and a compliance and development review is carried out as standard ahead of each season and monitored throughout.”

Probably safe to say, Couhig won't be pushing for Reading to be parachuted back into the second tier just yet.

[Sutekh]

It's not really ground gradings and Blackburn Women played most of their games last season at Ewood Park. Problem was not many people went to watch them.

WSL 2 sides are expected to essentially operate full‑time, professional teams. The list of criteria is believed to include requirements for clubs to commit to appointing a head of women’s football, marketing manager, head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist or sports therapist, doctor, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeping coach and several people in specific safeguarding and player-welfare roles within one month of the new season kicking off.

WSL Football said in a statement: “In line with recommendations for the long-term future of women’s football, every club is asked to comply with the minimum standards as part of their membership of the leagues and a compliance and development review is carried out as standard ahead of each season and monitored throughout.”

Probably safe to say, Couhig won't be pushing for Reading to be parachuted back into the second tier just yet.

Sure there was some mention that Couhig’s wife was keen on the idea of running a professional women’s team which was part of the reason for the alleged difficulties over saving the women’s team last year. Wonder if we might see some positive changes around the ladies team next season.

[Whore Jackie]

It's not really ground gradings and Blackburn Women played most of their games last season at Ewood Park. Problem was not many people went to watch them.

WSL 2 sides are expected to essentially operate full‑time, professional teams. The list of criteria is believed to include requirements for clubs to commit to appointing a head of women’s football, marketing manager, head coach, assistant coach, physiotherapist or sports therapist, doctor, a strength and conditioning coach, a goalkeeping coach and several people in specific safeguarding and player-welfare roles within one month of the new season kicking off.

WSL Football said in a statement: “In line with recommendations for the long-term future of women’s football, every club is asked to comply with the minimum standards as part of their membership of the leagues and a compliance and development review is carried out as standard ahead of each season and monitored throughout.”

Probably safe to say, Couhig won't be pushing for Reading to be parachuted back into the second tier just yet.

Sure there was some mention that Couhig’s wife was keen on the idea of running a professional women’s team which was part of the reason for the alleged difficulties over saving the women’s team last year. Wonder if we might see some positive changes around the ladies team next season.

Don't think it was his wife, but Couhig said he had someone lined up to take over the Womens' Team. Someone who would finance it, presumably at least to the levels of keeping it in the second tier.

[Father Flipper]

Re: Blackburn, feel sorry for the players, especially Rachel Dugdale and Tia Primmer, who both went through exactly the same drama with us the previous summer...

Suppose one saving grace for Blackburn's players is that this decision has been made relatively early in the post-season (rather than on the day most players contracts expired with us...), so gives the players a chance to try and find alternative clubs before most clubs have finalised recruitment etc for next year.

[RoyalBlue]

Re: Blackburn, feel sorry for the players, especially Rachel Dugdale and Tia Primmer, who both went through exactly the same drama with us the previous summer...

Suppose one saving grace for Blackburn's players is that this decision has been made relatively early in the post-season (rather than on the day most players contracts expired with us...), so gives the players a chance to try and find alternative clubs before most clubs have finalised recruitment etc for next year.

From what Rachel wrote, I believe the FA brought forward the date by which clubs had to declare their intentions for the next season, in order to avoid a repeat of the Dai/Pang/Howe fiasco. So at least some (limited) good came from our club's sufferings.

[RoyalBlue]

It's not really ground gradings and Blackburn Women played most of their games last season at Ewood Park. Problem was not many people went to watch them.



Probably safe to say, Couhig won't be pushing for Reading to be parachuted back into the second tier just yet.

Sure there was some mention that Couhig’s wife was keen on the idea of running a professional women’s team which was part of the reason for the alleged difficulties over saving the women’s team last year. Wonder if we might see some positive changes around the ladies team next season.

Don't think it was his wife, but Couhig said he had someone lined up to take over the Womens' Team. Someone who would finance it, presumably at least to the levels of keeping it in the second tier.

I believe that, at the time, there were a couple of individuals/groups in the US who were very actively trying to get involved in the women's game over here. The interest is probably still out there as the US view the women's game somewhat differently and appear able to market and run it so that women's teams/clubs can be reasonably self-sustainable. Quite staggeringly, in January this year, John Cohen and others paid $110M just for the franchise rights, in order that Denver can join the NWSL as an expansion team! Previously, Bay City and Boston each paid $53M for franchises.

[Sutekh]

Is the women’s team still under the auspices of the club, presume it could be sold off but then the level they’re stuck at would probably prevent any worthwhile value so just carry on.

[RoyalBlue]

Is the women’s team still under the auspices of the club, presume it could be sold off but then the level they’re stuck at would probably prevent any worthwhile value so just carry on.

I believe that the women's team is still part of the club but funded by the Community Trust.

I think that to progress in any real terms they will require further backing/funding, either from the new owners or by someone brought in specifically to fund and focus on developing the women's side of the club.

[Sutekh]

Is the women’s team still under the auspices of the club, presume it could be sold off but then the level they’re stuck at would probably prevent any worthwhile value so just carry on.

I believe that the women's team is still part of the club but funded by the Community Trust.

I think that to progress in any real terms they will require further backing/funding, either from the new owners or by someone brought in specifically to fund and focus on developing the women's side of the club.

Think a backer specifically for the women’s side would be ideal, concentrate solely their needs.

[Father Flipper]

Structure for next season is out.

Southern Region Football League Premier Division

AFC Portchester
Beaconsfield Town (promoted)
Fleet Town (promoted)
Badshot Lea
Oxford City
Reading
Selsey
Sholing
Southampton Women (Relegated)
Winchester City Flyers
Woodley United
Wycombe Wanderers

No relegation from last season as two clubs withdrew before the season started last year, so Badshot Lea and Selsey face another season as cannon fodder. Southampton Women are not the same as Southampton FC (in the WSL2). I know Fleet Town's manager, he's a lovely bloke, and that'll be the most local game to my house next season.

[tidus_mi2]

Structure for next season is out.

Southern Region Football League Premier Division

AFC Portchester
Beaconsfield Town (promoted)
Fleet Town (promoted)
Badshot Lea
Oxford City
Reading
Selsey
Sholing
Southampton Women (Relegated)
Winchester City Flyers
Woodley United
Wycombe Wanderers

No relegation from last season as two clubs withdrew before the season started last year, so Badshot Lea and Selsey face another season as cannon fodder. Southampton Women are not the same as Southampton FC (in the WSL2). I know Fleet Town's manager, he's a lovely bloke, and that'll be the most local game to my house next season.

I live in Church Crookham, so same for me too.

[Whore Jackie]

Lovely piece about Fran Kirby in yesterday's Observer.

[bcubed]

Lovely piece about Fran Kirby in yesterday's Observer.

Nice

[From Despair To Where?]

I think my over-riding memory of her is the time someone on here claimed we were linked to a new striker called Frank Irby and posted a picture of her with a moustache photoshopped on.

At the time, we had pre 3 months of not being a complete donkey era Nick Blackman leading the line and she was scoring for fun in WSL2.

[morganb]

Reading FC Women can confirm the departure of manager Pedro Bruno and assistant, Shelley Strange.

We would like to thank them both for their hard work and dedication during a season filled with challenges and uncertainties.

We extend our heartfelt wishes to Pedro and Shelley for success in their future endeavours.

https://x.com/ReadingFCWomen/status/193 ... EaeXg&s=19


Wonder how this came about? Jumped or pushed

[Father Flipper]

Really disappointed with the decision. Believe that given the circumstances, Pedro and Shelley did an excellent job, and truly feel that a full pre-season would have worked wonders for the team.

Wouldn't have thought that, this early into owning the club, RC would be have "revitalizing the women's team" on his things-to-do list, so can't imagine it's a sign that the women's team is coming back in-house. Therefore, can only assume it would be Pedro's decision to leave. Maybe been tapped up from somewhere else?

Either way, sad to see him and Shelley depart - both came across as nice people. Only hope that is doesn't mean a massive turnover of players - I've only just learned the names of the current crop...

[morganb]

Reading FC Women are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ed Jackson-Norris as First Team Manager.

He joins the Royals on a full-time basis from Tier 4 outfit Maidenhead United Women where he guided the FAWNL side to their highest ever Division One South West finish alongside back-to-back cup silverware over the last two seasons.

https://x.com/ReadingFCWomen/status/194 ... IDCRw&s=19

[Royals and Racers]

5 pre-season friendlies announced. Royals tier 5
Sunday 27th July Leatherhead ( A ) tier 6
Sunday 3rd August Slough Town ( H ) tier 6
Sunday 10th August Maidenhead Utd ( A ) tier 4
Sunday 17th August Farnham Town ( A ) tier 6
Sunday 24th August Penn & Tylers Green ( A ) tier 6