Reading Women: Demotion from Championship ‘devastating’ – Jackie Burns

Prior to their relegation from the WSL, Reading were an established top-flight club.

Burns adds it has been a “whirlwind and spiral down” as the club has been left with “next to nothing”.

The men’s team have also been in trouble and Burns says “it comes down to ownership”.

“It was hard for us as players to see a club that could have been something, and has been something for years, to be in this situation,” she added.

“Reading have struggled for a couple of years, especially in the men’s game. In the same year we got relegated from the WSL they got relegated from the Championship.

“The women’s team is paying for the club as a whole”.

Burns joined Reading after Euro 2022, which was won by England on home soil.

While there was a burst in popularity in women’s football following the Lionesses’ win, Burns feels that Reading “went stagnant or in the completely opposite direction”.

“You had a belief this was the start of a positive impact,” Burns said about the impact of Euro 2022.

“But at some points you just think, ‘is it a tick box for some teams to have a women’s team?’. Yes, it shows growth to a certain extent, but it’s how you invest in them.”

“Everyone loves seeing the positive impact on the typical teams like Chelsea, Arsenal or Man City. They are doing great but maybe everyone else around them are struggling.

“They are the ones, at the end of the day, who will need more investment so they can do better in these circumstances.”

While many players were released, a number of the squad remain under contract, including Northern Ireland defender Rachel Dugdale, and their futures are currently unclear.

Burns admits “I don’t know the answer” as to where she will end up for the upcoming season.

“The longer it goes on the more you overthink and it becomes a bit more stressful,” she said.

“Reality sort of hits. Deadlines are coming up. I think the Championship pre-season starts very soon, in the next week or two.

“I would guess that WSL clubs are trying to finalise their teams, so it makes it a lot more stressful not knowing what the outcome is for your future.”