2023–24 Reading F.C. Women season

The 2023–24 Reading F.C. Women season was the club's 17th season and their first season back in the Women's Championship, the second tier of the football pyramid, since 2013 following relegation the previous season.

Reading
2023–24 season
ManagerLiam Gilbert
StadiumMadejski Stadium
Recreation Ground (select cup matches)
Women's Championship10th
FA CupFourth Round vs Bristol City
League CupGroup Stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Madison Perry (4)
All: Charlie Wellings (5)
Madison Perry (5)
2024–25 →

Season events

On 28 July, Reading announced the return of Charlie Estcourt to the club from Birmingham City.[1]

On 31 July, Reading announced the signing of Ava Kuyken from Hibernian.[2]

On 3 August, Reading announced the singing of two goalkeepers, Emily Orman on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, and of free-agent Rose Kite following a successful trial.[3]

On 18 August, Reading announced Liam Gilbert as their new First Team Manager.[4]

On 25 August, Reading announced the signing of Rachel Dugdale from Coventry United.[5] Later the same day, Reading announced the signing of Georgia Wilson from Plymouth Argyle.[6]

On 1 September, Reading announced the signing of Josie Longhurst from Lewes.[7]

On 7 September, Reading announced the season-long loan signing of Halle Houssein from West Ham United.[8]

On 14 September, Reading announced the season-long loan signings of Lulu Jarvis from Brighton & Hove Albion and Freya Gregory from Aston Villa, whilst Caitlin Smith joined on a permanent transfer from Clemson Tigers.[9][10][11]

On 21 September, Reading announced that Jacqueline Burns had signed a new contract with the club.[12]

On 4 January, Reading announced the loan return of Freya Gregory to Aston Villa, the dual registration of Freya Meadows-Tuson with Maidenhead United and the departure of Rose Kite by mutual consent.[13] On the same day, Player Pathway graduate, Mae Hunt, was registered for the first team.[14]

On 11 January, Reading announced the departure of Sanne Troelsgaard from the club by mutual consent.[15]

On 12 January, Reading announced the signing of Jesse Woolley on loan from Bristol City until the end of the season.[16]

On 26 January, Reading announced the signing of Jessie Stapleton on loan from West Ham United for the remainder of the season.[17] Five days later, on 31 January, Keira Flannery also joined Reading on loan from West Ham for the remainder of the season,[18] and the departure of Lily Woodham to Seattle Reign for an undisclosed fee.[19]

Squad

As of match played 28 April 2023[20]
No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (Age)Signed fromSigned inContract endsApps.Goals
Goalkeepers
1Emily Orman GK (2002-11-05)5 November 2002 (aged 21)on loan from Chelsea2023[3]2024[3]190
25Jacqueline Burns GK (1997-03-06)6 March 1997 (aged 27)Unattached2022[21]160
41Eve Annets GK (2006-03-19)19 March 2006 (aged 18)Academy202340
Defenders
2Rachel Dugdale DF (1996-11-19)19 November 1996 (aged 27)Coventry United2023[5]230
3Jessie Stapleton DF (2005-02-07)7 February 2005 (aged 19)on loan from West Ham United2024[17]2024[17]111
5Deanna Cooper DF (1993-06-20)20 June 1993 (aged 30)Chelsea20202024[22]794
6Caitlin Smith DF (2003-05-20)20 May 2003 (aged 20)Clemson Tigers2023[11]130
15Brooke Hendrix DF (1993-05-06)6 May 1993 (aged 30)Melbourne Victory2022[23]2024[23]341
16Easther Mayi Kith DF (1997-03-28)28 March 1997 (aged 27)Kristianstad2023[24]2024[24]350
31Bethan Roberts DF (2003-05-14)14 May 2003 (aged 20)Academy2019[25]281
33Bella Cox DF202300
Midfielders
4Halle Houssein MF (2004-12-11)11 December 2004 (aged 19)on loan from West Ham United2023[8]2024[8]190
8Tia Primmer MF (2004-05-02)2 May 2004 (aged 19)Academy20212024[22]585
10Ava Kuyken MF (2001-06-15)15 June 2001 (aged 22)Hibernian2023[2]00
14Keira Flannery MF (2005-09-24)24 September 2005 (aged 18)on loan from West Ham United2024[18]2024[18]101
17Charlie Estcourt MF (1998-05-27)27 May 1998 (aged 25)Birmingham City2023[1]562
20Georgia Wilson MF (2002-02-01)1 February 2002 (aged 22)Plymouth Argyle2023[6]50
21Mae Hunt MFAcademy202120
22Amelia Elwood MF (2005-11-03)3 November 2005 (aged 18)Academy2023171
23Lulu Jarvis MF (2004-05-06)6 May 2004 (aged 19)on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion2023[9]2024[9]130
24Josie Longhurst MF (2002-02-24)24 February 2002 (aged 22)Lewes2023[7]210
32Stevie Kennedy MFAcademy202300
34Imogen Poile MFAcademy202300
37Gesa Marashi MFAcademy202300
Forwards
7Charlie Wellings FW (1998-05-18)18 May 1998 (aged 25)Celtic2022[21]3810
9Madison Perry FW (2006-01-24)24 January 2006 (aged 18)Academy2022215
11Lauren Wade FW (1993-11-22)22 November 1993 (aged 30)Glentoran2022[21]495
27Jesse Woolley FW (2001-03-27)27 March 2001 (aged 23)on loan from Bristol City2024[16]2024[16]110
U21
Anne Thomann MFAcademy202100
Out on loan
18Freya Meadows-Tuson MFAcademy202130
36Natasha Rasmussen MFAcademy202300
Left during the season
19Freya Gregory MF (2003-01-12)12 January 2003 (aged 21)on loan from Aston Villa2023[10]2024[10]112
27Rose Kite GK (2001-01-29)29 January 2001 (aged 23)Unattached2023[3]10
28Lily Woodham DF (2000-09-03)3 September 2000 (aged 23)Bristol City20182024[22]840
51Sanne Troelsgaard MF (1988-08-15)15 August 1988 (aged 35)Rosengård2021[26]528

Transfers

In

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
28 July 2023MF Charlie EstcourtBirmingham CityUndisclosed[1]
31 July 2023MF Ava KuykenHibernianUndisclosed[2]
3 August 2023GK Rose KiteUnattachedFree[3]
25 August 2023DF Rachel DugdaleCoventry UnitedUndisclosed[5]
25 August 2023MF Georgia WilsonPlymouth ArgyleUndisclosed[6]
1 September 2023MF Josie LonghurstLewesUndisclosed[7]
14 September 2023DF Caitlin SmithClemson TigersUndisclosed[11]

Loans in

Start datePositionNationalityNameFromEnd dateRef.
3 August 2023GK Emily OrmanChelseaEnd of season[3]
7 September 2023MF Halle HousseinWest Ham UnitedEnd of season[8]
14 September 2023MF Lulu JarvisBrighton & Hove AlbionEnd of season[9]
14 September 2023MF Freya GregoryAston Villa4 January 2024[10][13]
12 January 2024FW Jesse WoolleyBristol CityEnd of season[16]
26 January 2024DF Jessie StapletonWest Ham UnitedEnd of season[17]
31 January 2024MF Keira FlanneryWest Ham UnitedEnd of season[18]

Out

DatePositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
8 August 2023DF Diane CaldwellZürichUndisclosed[27]
31 January 2024DF Lily WoodhamSeattle ReignUndisclosed[19]

Loans out

Start datePositionNationalityNameToEnd dateRef.
September 2023MF Natasha RasmussenMaidenhead Uniteddual-registration
4 January 2024MF Freya Meadows-TusonMaidenhead Uniteddual-registration[13]

Released

DatePositionNationalityNameJoinedDateRef.
4 January 2024GK Rose KiteMoneyfields13 January 2024[13][28]
11 January 2024MF Sanne TroelsgaardAS Roma2 February 2024[15][29]

Friendlies

6 August 2023 Portsmouth 2–2 Reading Havant
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Lumsden 10', 63'ReportHendrix 2'
Perry 32'
Stadium: Westleigh Park
Note: Game composed of three 30 minute periods.
13 August 2023 Lewes v Reading Lewes
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Stadium: The Dripping Pan

Competitions

Overview

CompetitionFirst matchLast matchStarting roundFinal positionRecord
PldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Championship27 August 202328 April 2024Matchday 110th2257102040−20022.73
FA Cup10 December 202314 January 2024Third roundFourth round210152+3050.00
EFL Cup11 October 202324 January 2024Group StageGroup Stage4013114−13000.00
Total2868142656−30021.43

Last updated: 28 April 2024
Source: Competitions

Women's Championship

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
2257101938 −1922335717 −102451221 −9

Last updated: 28 April 2024.
Source: The FA

Results by matchday

Matchday12345678910121415171631813219201112122
GroundAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAAHAHAHA
ResultDDDLWWLLLDDDWLWLLLLDWL
Position688107669101010991081010101010910
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source: Results
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed
Notes:

Results

27 August 2023 1 Crystal Palace 1–1 Reading Sutton
14:30 BST (UTC+1)Blanchard  59'
Everett  70'
Arthur  84'
Guyatt  87'
Hughes 90+12'
ReportEstcourt  32'
Wade  44'
Cooper 88'
Stadium: Gander Green Lane
Referee: Lauren Impey
2 September 2023 2 Reading 0–0 Charlton Athletic Reading
17:15 BST (UTC+1)Woodham  45+2'
Primmer  45+3'
Troelsgaard  49'
ReportRoss  80'
Green  90+5'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Melissa Burgin
10 September 2023 3 London City Lionesses 1–1 Reading Dartford
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Boye-Hlorkah 45'  81'
Moloney  85'
Brougham  87'
ReportWade  64' 90+6'
Woodham  90+8'
Stadium: Princes Park
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
17 September 2023 4 Reading 1–4 Southampton Reading
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Elwood  84'
Estcourt 90+3'
ReportPike 10'
Wilkinson 28' (pen.)
Primus 73'
Purfield 82'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Adewunmi Soneye
1 October 2023 5 Durham 0–2 Reading Durham
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Clarke  25'
Bradley  72'
ReportGregory 61'
Primmer  69'
Cooper  81'
Elwood 90+2'
Stadium: Maiden Castle
Referee: Levi Gray
8 October 2023 6 Reading 1–0 Lewes Reading
13:00 BST (UTC+1)Dugdale  21'
Primmer 77'
ReportWhitehouse  21'
Hazard  57'
Cleverly  68'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Magdalena Golba
15 October 2023 7 Sunderland 3–1 Reading Hetton-le-Hole
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Jones 44'
Ejupi 51'
Kitching 62'
ReportGregory 74'Stadium: Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground
Referee: Jon Ashworth-Sears
22 October 2023 8 Reading 1–3 Sheffield United Reading
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Primmer  79' 90+5'
Woodham  90+8'
ReportBrown  22'
Hodson 33'
Goodwin 48'
Newsham 72'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Grace Lowe
5 November 2023 9 Birmingham City 2–1 Reading Birmingham
14:00 GMT (UTC)Devlin 28', 36'
Smith  64'
ReportCooper 53'
Troelsgaard  90+4'
Stadium: St Andrew's
Referee: Magdalena Golba
12 November 2023 10 Reading 0–0 Watford Reading
12:00 GMT (UTC)Gregory  61'ReportFleming  44'
Bennett  50'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Sophie Dennington
17 December 2023 12 Reading 1–1 Crystal Palace Reading
13:00 GMT (UTC)Wade 39'
Primmer  87'
ReportHughes 30'
Potter  59'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Megan Wilson
28 January 2024 14 Lewes 2–2 Reading Lewes
14:00 GMT (UTC)Farrugia 13'
Riglar 29'
Whitehouse  40'
ReportHendrix  26'
Primmer  71'   90+7'
Roberts 81'
Stapleton  90+2'
Wellings 90+4'
Stadium: The Dripping Pan
Referee: Jade Wardle
4 February 2024 15 Reading 1–0 Sunderland Reading
12:00 GMT (UTC)Stapleton  51'
Perry 77'
Wade  85'
ReportGriffiths  35'
McCatty  83'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Laura Van Lier
3 March 2024 17 Reading 1–2 London City Lionesses Reading
13:00 GMT (UTC)Hendrix 45+1'
Stapleton  59'
Primmer  82'
ReportSatchell 54'
Mukandi 57'
Littlejohn  62'
Culver  83'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Jade Wardle
10 March 2024 16 Charlton Athletic 0–1 Reading Crayford
14:00 GMT (UTC)Green 28'ReportWellings 42'Stadium: The Oakwood
Referee: Laura Van Lier
Note: Match originally scheduled for 18 February, but postponed on 18 February due to a waterlogged pitch.[30][31]
17 March 2024 18 Southampton 5–0 Reading Southampton
14:00 GMT (UTC)Wilkinson 17', 35'
Morris 27'
Pharoah 54', 67'
ReportStadium: St Mary's Stadium
Referee: Lauren Whiteman
20 March 2024 13 Reading 0–4 Birmingham City Reading
19:00 GMT (UTC)Flannery  33'ReportMoore 12'
Smith 30'
Agg 56', 79'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Laura Van Lier
Note: Match originally scheduled for 21 January, but postponed on 19 January due to an illness with the Reading squad.[32][33]
24 March 2024 19 Sheffield United 5–1 Reading Sheffield
14:00 GMT (UTC)Stapleton 14' (o.g.)
Bourne 52'
Goodwin 69', 73'
Rayner 81'
ReportPerry 62'
Estcourt  89'
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Referee: Magdalena Golba
31 March 2024 20 Reading 1–4 Blackburn Rovers Reading
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Flannery 16'ReportHornby 43', 86'
Coan 45+2'
Shepherd 70'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Levi Gray
14 April 2024 11 Blackburn Rovers 0–0 Reading Leyland
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Hornby  52'ReportEstcourt  14'Stadium: County Ground
Referee: Aimee Keir
Note: Match originally scheduled for, and postponed on, 19 November due to a waterlogged pitch.[34]
21 April 2024 21 Reading 2–1 Durham Reading
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Flannery  56'
Stapleton 66'
Primmer  79'
ReportBradley  32'
Briggs  51'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Stacey Pearson
28 April 2024 22 Watford 3–2 Reading Watford
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Johns 16'
Haines  16' 76'
Georgiou 45+5'
Harbert  56'
Agyemang  59'
ReportWoolley  59'
Perry 71', 80'
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Referee: Ali Rahjoo

Table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
8London City Lionesses2274112636−1025
9Durham2265112444−2023
10Reading2257102040−2022
11Lewes (R)2244142239−1716Relegation to the National League
12Watford (R)2243152244−2215
Source: FA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated

FA Cup

10 December 2023 Third round Cheltenham Town 0–4 Reading Bishop's Cleeve
14:00 GMT (UTC)Jones  7'
Billingham  35'
Buxton  90'
ReportCooper 9'
Wade 11'
Wellings 46', 47'
Smith  70'
Kith  90'
Stadium: Kayte Lane Stadium
14 January 2024 Fourth round Reading 1–2 Wolverhampton Wanderers Aldershot
14:00 GMT (UTC)Perry 35'ReportFergusson  56'
Will  64'
Merrick 73'
Toussaint 88'
Stadium: Recreation Ground
Referee: Aimee Keir

League Cup

Group stage

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Arsenal (Q)43100145+911Advanced to knock-out stage
2Tottenham Hotspur32010123+97Possible knock-out stage based on ranking
3Southampton311013305
4Bristol City (E)4002238−52
5Reading (E)40103114−132
Updated to match(es) played on 24th January 2024. Source: FA Women's League Cup
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated
11 October 2023 1 Tottenham Hotspur 6–0 Reading Leyton
19:30 BST (UTC+1)Zhang Linyan 12'
Graham 21'
Ale 47'
Percival 56'
Naz 62'
Thomas 71'
Ayane  85'
ReportStadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 531
Referee: Amy Fearns
8 November 2023 2 Reading 0–1 Southampton Aldershot
19:00 GMT (UTC)Gregory  61'ReportKraft  32'
Lloyd-Smith 85'
Stadium: Recreation Ground
Attendance: 235
Referee: Stacey Fullicks
13 December 2023 3 Bristol City 1–1
(4–5 p)
Reading Failand
19:30 GMT (UTC)Hayles 21'
Kendall  90+6'
ReportMayi Kith  68'
Wellings 86'
Stadium: Robins High Performance Centre
Penalties
Rodgers
Jones
Woolley
Hayles
Thestrup
Napier
Nielsen
Wade
Wellings
Primmer
Woodham
Houssein
24 January 2024 4 Reading 0–6 Arsenal Reading
19:00 GMT (UTC)Primmer  41'ReportFoord 23'
Blackstenius 35', 45', 84'
Codina 51'
Mead 80'
Catley  88'
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 3,784
Referee: Levi Gray

Squad statistics

As of match played 28 April 2024

Appearances

No.PosNatPlayerTotalChampionshipFA CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GK  ENGEmily Orman1901702000
2DF  NIRRachel Dugdale23018+302000
3DF  IRLJessie Stapleton1111110000
4MF  ENGHalle Houssein190130202+20
5DF  ENGDeanna Cooper19310+62111+10
6DF  ENGCaitlin Smith1302+501+1040
7FW  ENGCharlie Wellings1255+32221+11
8MF  ENGTia Primmer21213+22201+30
9FW  ENGMadison Perry1659+44210+10
11FW  NIRLauren Wade283222212+20
14MF  ENGKeira Flannery1011010000
15DF  USABrooke Hendrix25118+11203+10
16DF  CMREasther Mayi Kith25017+201+1040
17MF  WALCharlie Estcourt27120+11203+10
20MF  ENGGeorgia Wilson500+300020
21MF  ENGMae Hunt200+10000+10
22MF  ENGAmelia Elwood1710+131003+10
23MF  ENGLulu Jarvis1300+800+103+10
24MF  WALJosie Longhurst2105+1100+1040
25GK  NIRJacqueline Burns40400000
27FW  ENGJesse Woolley1101000+1000
31DF  WALBethan Roberts14112+11000+10
41GK  ENGEve Annets40100030
Players away from the club on loan:
18MF  ENGFreya Meadows-Tuson300+100020
Players who appeared for Reading but left during the season:
19MF  ENGFreya Gregory1126+220+101+10
27GK  ENGRose Kite10000010
28DF  WALLily Woodham160120101+20
51MF  DENSanne Troelsgaard1207+100+1030

Goal scorers

PlacePositionNationNumberNameChampionshipFA CupLeague CupTotal
1FW 9Madison Perry4105
FW 7Charlie Wellings2215
3DF 5Deanna Cooper2103
FW 11Lauren Wade2103
5MF 19Freya Gregory2002
MF 8Tia Primmer2002
7MF 17Charlie Estcourt1001
MF 22Amelia Elwood1001
DF 31Bethan Roberts1001
DF 15Brooke Hendrix1001
MF 14Keira Flannery1001
DF 3Jessie Stapleton1001
Total205126

Clean sheets

PlacePositionNationNumberNameChampionshipFA CupLeague CupTotal
1GK 1Emily Orman6107
2GK 25Jacqueline Burns2002
Total8109

Disciplinary record

NumberNationPositionNameChampionshipFA CupLeague CupTotal
2 DFRachel Dugdale10000010
3 DFJessie Stapleton30000030
5 DFDeanna Cooper10000010
6 DFCaitlin Smith00100010
8 MFTia Primmer81001091
11 FWLauren Wade30000030
14 MFKeira Flannery20000020
15 DFBrooke Hendrix10000010
16 DFEasther Mayi Kith00101020
17 MFCharlie Estcourt30000030
22 MFAmelia Elwood10000010
27 FWJesse Woolley10000010
Players away on loan:
Players who left Reading during the season:
19 MFFreya Gregory10001020
28 DFLily Woodham30000030
51 MFSanne Troelsgaard11000011
Total2922030342

References