READING WILL GO part-time following their relegation from the Women’s Super League.

The Royals dropped down to the second tier for the first time since 2015 after finishing bottom of the 2022/23 table, amassing just 11 points from their 22 games.

Owner Dai Yongge has been financing the club but they will lose their full-time status in order to operate in a more sustainable financial manner.

“Difficult but necessary financial decisions are being made across the business following the club’s relegation to League One last season and, after discussions with the FA, the decision to operate Reading FC Women on a part-time basis represents the most viable solution at the present time,” chief executive Dayong Pang said.

“We would like to acknowledge all of the hard work and unquestionable dedication to Reading Football Club of Kelly Chambers and her coaching staff, the players and all the staff.

“The club will now be working extremely hard to build a team to proudly represent our town in the WSL Championship in the 2023-24 campaign.

“Our owner, Mr Dai Yongge, has his full focus concentrated on our club’s rebuild. He is fully committed to consolidating our efforts into a sensible and sustainable reset, designed to bring success back to RG2.”

Irish internationals Grace Moloney and Diane Caldwell were on the Royals’ books for the 2022/23 season. Their respective futures remain unclear, with Moloney understood to be out of contract this summer. The length of Caldwell’s deal is unknown, the experienced centre-half having signed for the club last August.