Reading Women are to play, and train, in Slough for the new season after taking voluntary demotion to step five.

Due to a lack of sufficient funding, the women's arm of the team were forced to go amateur after almost a decade of being a front-runner in the game.

Being one of the first sides to play all of their matches at the same stadium as their male counterparts, and moving all operations to Bearwood alongside the men and academy, the club have been forced to start from scratch.

With the Community Trust stepping in to save women's football in the town, Emma Hopkins has been appointed the new Women's Head of Football.

Open trials have taken place to fulfil a squad while Arbour Park in Slough is to be the new home of the set-up.

Emma Hopkins released an open letter to supporters on the club website, labelling the new season as 'the comeback' and will prioritise 'creating a nurturing environment that prioritises growth, resilience, and determination.'

Reading Women open their Southern Region Women’s Football League campaign away to Sholing on Sunday, September 8.