Reading Women’s 2024/25: A Success Story In A Far From Normal Season

Pete recaps a turbulent campaign for the Royals, which ultimately turned out well on the pitch.

Finishing eighth in a league of 10 teams wouldn’t be classed as a success story for most normal football clubs, but this is Reading Football Club, and for the Women’s side, this season has been far from normal.

It took a while for the season to get going, with Royals fans having to wait until mid-January - exactly halfway through the season - for the team to pick up their first points. However, that was understandable when you consider the position they found themselves in with only a few weeks until kick-off.

When funding for the Women’s team ceased in June 2024, they were left with Hobson’s choice, electing for what is termed as ‘voluntary relegation’ from the Championship. That meant going down three tiers of the pyramid to the Southern Region Women’s Football League - tier five - and in the process losing any dreams of a quick return to the halcyon days of the WSL.

Survival was the first success story, with both Long Crendon and Warminster - in the same league - having folded just weeks before the season kicked off). It was Reading FC Community Trust, a registered charity, who mercifully came to the rescue and committed to take on both the financial and administrative responsibility for the Women’s team (and girls pathway), under the stewardship of trust manager Dave Evans and head of women’s football Emma Hopkins.

The Community Trust set about the unenviable task of having to rebuild everything from scratch, and just four weeks before the season was due to start, the only certainty was where the team would be playing their home matches: 30-odd miles down the M4 at Arbour Park, Slough. The appointment of a coaching team and recruitment of a squad were still on the ‘work in progress’ pile.

Up for the cup

So when 12 players and a new-look management duo of Pedro Bruno and Shelley Strange turned up for the first match of the season, away to Sholing, it felt like a victory (it wasn’t, it was a 3-0 defeat), relief and another step in the right direction.

With league form on hold, cup matches provided a welcome distraction, together with the necessary playing time for the players to get to know each other and gain match experience.

The first opportunity came just three matches in, away to Brackley Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, with Reading passing this test with flying colours. Goalkeeper Mia Donovan, the only substitute available for Royals, had to play the whole of the second half as a centre-forward - but the visitors managed a first win of the season with a 3-2 victory.

Lily Brooke-Cousins scored the match winner, with her long-range strike the pick of the bunch, rocketing into the top corner (complete with a celebration worthy of the occasion!). The young defender recalled that scoring her first goal in the Women’s FA Cup was her highlight of 2024/25.

It was the first important milestone of the season. Although Brackley Town were two leagues below, what the Royals couldn’t have foreseen - and what makes this first win more impressive - was that the Northamptonshire team would not only go on to win their league, but they’re still in for the treble after winning their regional NTFA Cup, with a NT League Cup final appearance still to be played.

After two more league defeats the Royals enjoyed more cup success, in the process revealing a new hidden talent. They won four of their next five knockout matches on penalties, and in some style too, scoring 18 times out of a possible 20 spot-kicks.

This run of cup matches included away victories against Richmond & Kew (in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup), local rivals Tilehurst Panthers (League Cup) and Caversham United (Berks & Bucks Cup) - the latter being played in front of an impressive 346-strong crowd.

Reading saved the biggest scalp for last though, beating tier-four side Abingdon United in the quarter-finals of the Berks & Bucks Cup. It set up an exciting semi-final against neighbours Maidenhead United (screened live on YouTube, complete with commentary from Royals friend Abi Ticehurst and the Football in Berkshire team), but unfortunately ended in a 3-0 defeat.

These shootout victories not only provided a timely fillip but also a vital boost of confidence for the players and fans alike. That was evidenced by an upward trajectory which culminated in the Royals ending the season comfortably above the relegation places, with the last half of Reading’s season containing better form than both Sholing and Woodley United, who finished in the two places above them.

Season highlights

In November there was more good news off the pitch, with the announcement of Select Car Leasing being confirmed as the new principal partner for both the Women’s first team and the pathway sides. It was great news, especially when you remember that the players were still using and training in old kit left over from last season.

What else springs to mind? I turned to Sean, who provides the matchday updates on Twitter (and much more!): an Opta stats man who knows a thing or two about football. He was quick to reel off some of his highlights:

“Lucy Bolitho (captain and fans’ player of the season) scoring a brace at home to Selsey, for the Royals’ long-awaited first win of the season (2-1).”

What a relief that was, immediately lifting Reading two places off the bottom of the league and out of the relegation zone.

“Maya Raghunandanan’s last-minute equaliser, with Reading down to 10 players (nine just minutes before), in the wet and windy conditions at Woodley United.”

This was the only draw of the season (finishing 3-3), but another game which felt like a win - after another example of resilience, never-give-up attitude and strength within the squad.

“Mia Bradley’s trademark runs down the wing, knocking the ball past defenders to finish with a cross, create a chance or grab a shot or goal of her own.”

Mia chalked up six goals in total.

“You’ve got to mention the different range of playing surfaces.”

From the bobbly pitches at Badshot Lea and Selsey to the soggy autumnal surfaces at Richmond & Kew and Caversham United, the lush turf at Adams Park and the 3G artificial pitches at Ascot United, Oxford City and Arbour Park.

Talking of playing surfaces: one interesting stat was that, when looking at the nine matches Reading won this season, seven were achieved on a grass pitch (with a 100% winning record when they played on grass in the cup). That’s not really the stat you want to hear when your home matches are played at Arbour Park with its 3G surface!

A journey of discovery

Tier-five football has been a new experience and journey of discovery. Not just finding out where some of the teams are located, but also the use of rolling substitutions, sin-bin time-outs and the different standards of refereeing - assuming that there even are three officials available for the match (and the club doesn’t have to help and provide their own assistant referees from within).

Angy King, pastoral co-ordinator for chaplains in women’s football and Reading FC Community Trust, and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in football, summed it up nicely:

‘Tier-five women’s football was new to me but I have loved being involved this season and getting to know the new players. We celebrated as though we had won the league when we realised that relegation was no longer a threat.”

Reading manager Bruno added:

“This season has been one of growth and resilience. Taking over as first-team manager at Reading Women and working to build a squad from scratch - amid key player departures (original club captain Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins left at Christmas to join Wycombe Wanderers) and a reliance on youth - has posed significant challenges.”

I can’t disagree with either of them. It’s been a pleasure to witness this first step in the rebuilding project of the Women’s team - one where resilience, ‘bouncebackability’, strength and growth of character have shone through. Bruno added:

“It’s a testament to the players’ character and development.

“Our cup run, particularly the performances against Abingdon United and Maidenhead United, showed our potential. And, most importantly, we’ve laid the foundations for future cohesion and progress.

“Managing expectations during a tough run of results taught me valuable lessons as a manager, and I’m proud of how we finished stronger than we started.”

This couldn’t have happened without everyone pulling together, with King keen to provide a few shout-outs and plaudits to some of those involved.

“I’m so grateful [to Emma and the Reading FC Community Trust team] for rescuing us. For everyone at Arbour Park for accommodating us so willingly, at the last minute, and for making us feel at home.

“To the players, some of whom have travelled quite a distance to keep the name of Reading FC alive.

(Gone are the days of coach travel, the players now having to find their own way to matches.) Many are not even old enough to drive, with games played not only in Berkshire, but also in Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Buckinghamshire and Surrey. King continued:

“It is down to the hard work of all the staff and players that we have managed to stay in this league, after such a late start and injuries.”

And Lily Brooke-Cousins, on behalf of the whole team, gave a big thanks too:

“To the fans coming along to support us week in, week out, which meant a lot to us all.”

Although there are no awards or silverware to show off, an eighth-place finish (above relegated Selsey and Badshot Lea), together with a 13-point tally (from four league victories - against Selsey and Badshot Lea - and that draw at Woodley!), mean it can definitely be classed as a success.

With the recent announcement of Reading Football Club (finally) being under new ownership (thank you), it will be interesting to hear if there are any new plans, funding or strategy to be announced for the Women’s team. Over to you Rob and Todd (please).

Whatever happens, I’ll see you next season.