CHARLIE ESTCOURT has criticized a lack of communication from Reading officials over the future of the Royals women’s side.
The 26-year-old Wales ace shared her thoughts a day after the launch of an online petition hoping to save the former WSL team and its women’s academy from being sacked.
3
Earlier this month it was reported that the Royals women’s section, whose former players include English players Fran Kirby and Mary Earps, could be at risk of closure.
This follows the FA’s rejection of a proposed takeover bid for the club currently owned by businessman and entrepreneur Dai Yongge.
According to The Guardian, only two players from Reading Women’s senior squad currently have contracts.
Parents of Royals women’s academy players claim they have been advised there is “no guarantee for the club and women’s football academy for the 2024/25 season”.
And Estcourt, who helped her team finish tenth in last season’s Women’s Championship, described the situation as a “worrying time” with costs being cut across the club.
On Saturday, the 40-cap Welsh midfielder told BBC Radio Berkshire: “We haven’t heard much directly from the club but we’ve seen what everyone else has seen.
“It’s not looking good. No kit being ordered for women’s pre-season, threats of us dropping to level four or no team at all, so these are worrying times.
“There had been rumors about this for some time.
“I never took them seriously and didn’t think there was any substance behind the rumors.
“But as the offseason went on, we didn’t hear anything, and with a few weeks left on people’s contracts, it seems like it’s becoming very real.
“As far as I know, no one knows anything, but we haven’t heard from our team, so I don’t know if that means they haven’t heard from anyone at the club.
“Communication at all levels has unfortunately been very poor.”
Estcourt’s comments in a BBC interview broadcast on June 21 came two days after the creation of an online petition appeal in support of Reading Women.
The petition, which as of Monday night had 3,123 signatures, calls on the FA to help avoid “the permanent dissolution” of the team and its women’s academy.
Last season Reading’s under-21 team won the Berks and Bucks Cup by defeating MK Dons’ senior team.
Although the Royals’ future is up in the air, players who have signed PGA academy contracts with Reading Women are currently barred from contact with other clubs.
And one player’s parents say he will remain under contract unless the club loses its PGA academy status.
It is claimed that the FA will require confirmation of Reading’s academy status to be made by July 1.
After that, the Royals academy girls will be free to contact other clubs.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We were devastated to learn that there is an imminent threat to not only Reading women’s football club but also the women’s academy.
“Reading FC have pioneered women’s football over the years and have had players such as the Earps, Kirby and Fara Williams to name just a few.
“Just last year they were playing in the WSL.
“Due to a cut in funding, we saw them struggle to maintain a place in the championship, which they did successfully through a lot of courage.
“As a mother of a young player, I believe there is a huge discrepancy between how professional women’s football is portrayed and how it actually is.
3
“The FA’s narrative is that this is a great time to be an elite young female footballer in the UK and that they can offer a clear and supportive pathway to becoming a Lioness.
“However, the harsh reality on the ground is very different unless you sign a contract with a club like Chelsea or Arsenal.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
