Football club brings women's team back home
Getty ImagesA football club has announced that its women's team will return under its umbrella after they were withdrawn from the Championship two years ago.
Reading Football Club said it is "delighted" to confirm that Reading Women will return home ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The move will see the Women's First Team return to training at Bearwood Park, while selected home matches will be played at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig finalised an agreement to buy Reading in 2025, ending the controversial reign of Yongge.
Supporters' Trust at Reading (STAR) criticised his decision to withdraw the women's team in 2024, saying it "affects our community, gender equality and our club's heritage".
Reading Women has been operated by Reading FC Community Trust in recent seasons.
The Women's First Team will be joined by the club's Under-16s and Under-14s sides within the new structure, helping to re-establish a clear pathway for young female players to progress through the ranks at Reading.
Co-operating manager Rick Catania said: "Having a women's football club is an important part of being a community club.
"Reading has a proud history in the women's game and, over time, we want to restore the prestige and success that this club has enjoyed in the past.
"To do that, we felt it was important to bring the team back into the wider football club and give it access to the facilities, support and resources available here."
Women's first team manager Ed Jackson-Norris said: ""Everyone associated with the women's side of the football club can now look to the future with optimism and be excited about what's to come."
Players will also train at Bearwood Park, with the club's state-of-the-art training ground becoming home to the Women's First Team and academy age groups.
The club also confirmed that it plans to live stream Women's First Team fixtures on Reading FC's official YouTube channel.