Reading FC Women to play in Slough next season

Arbour Park is owned by Slough Borough Council

Reading FC Women will play their home matches and train at a ground also used by Slough Town, the club has announced.

It will play at the Slough Borough Council-owned Arbour Park in the fifth tier of women's football after it withdrew from the Championship.

Reading has encountered serious financial problems over recent years and cuts led to fears the women's team could be scrapped.

Present owner Dai Yongge has put the club up for sale but without a "cash injection", it said it could not meet the criteria to play in the second tier.

Slough were close to causing an FA Cup giant-killing at Arbour Park in 2023

The club said it was “eagerly anticipating” playing at Arbour Park, where Slough Town have played since 2016.

The Rebels agreed a 50-year lease for with the council for the stadium in April.

The club's co-owner Ashley Smith said at the time that the move was a foundation for the stadium to "become a beacon for Slough".

It was "a vital turning point after 14 years of homelessness", following its departure from Wexham Park Stadium in 2002, Mr Smith added.