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We caught up with Ed Norris-Jackson, our First Team Manager, to get his thoughts on the 2025/26 season, here’s what he said.

Your first season at Reading as the Women’s First Team Manager done and dusted, does it feel like it’s been one of success?

Absolutely! Although we ultimately fell short of our ambition to win the league, so much of what we’ve done this year told us that we are very much on the right track. We beat the top teams, went deep into cup competitions and provided opportunities for our promising young players. It’s all led to a belief and mindset shift, from players, supporters and the club as a whole, that’s occurred this season that means people are optimistic when talking about the women’s team – that’s huge after the few years we’ve had recently. 

What were your intentions for the season for the squad and do you think they met them?

Intentions were what they will be every year; Progression, Winning, Impact. We had to improve on last year and begin trying to change the mindset around the club from being a gritty underdog to now one that expected to win most weeks and the also be one that would use the badge and the power of football to be a positive influence in impacting the community. We’ve absolutely done that this year.

Are there any standout moments for you on the pitch?

Some of my favourite moments would be the full time whistle in the Wycombe home game, Ellie S getting her first goal against Oxford City, that 10 game run ant the end of the season which had us top of the form table and then finally completing my bingo card! 

Equally, are there any standout moments for you off the pitch?

Community Day was great, seeing Arbour Park decked out in blue and white and seeing the girls interact with all of the supporters in the meet and greet. The hospital visit was special too, being able to use the power of football and the badge in an incredibly positive way. 

Anything you’d like to say to the fans?

You are the best around! We’ve really felt your love and support all year and we’re going to need you again next year. We’re all on this journey together and you all absolutely nailed your part. We hope we’ve given you something to be proud of, remember we’re only just getting started! 

Looking ahead, what does success in the 2026/27 season look like for you?

Progression, winning, impact. All the players and staff have to feel as though they’ve improved and developed as players and people and we have to improve our processes to beat this seasons points total. To follow on from that, this should then lead to winning – we want to win the league, as well as a cup or two. We’re in 6 competitions next season so lots of opportunities for silverware.

Then, most important of all, we must impact the wider community. We want to increase our attendances and the number of young girls and boys we interact with and inspire at games, we want to do more to be a positive influence in the community, like our hospital visit last season. If we can tick off most of these, that will result in a great 26/27 season! 

We caught up with Emma Hopkins, our Head of Women & Girl’s Football, to review the 2025/26 season, here’s what she had to say.

Another season at Tier 5 complete, with a bit more stability under your belt, how do you reflect on that as Head of Women & Girl’s Football?

Although this season feels like a tale of two halves, I think my overall reflection is an incredibly positive one. Following the turbulence of the last couple of years and the transition to Tier 5, I was keen for this season to be the beginning of the ‘rebuild’ chapter.

Following Ed’s appointment in July, a very busy pre-season began with significant recruitment being undertaken. With such wholesale changes across both the staff and playing squad, the early months of the season were naturally transitional while everyone settled into the environment. Performances were overwhelmingly positive, but this didn’t always translate in the results, as our goalscoring output wasn’t reflective of the chances being created. However, the second half of the season saw considerable progress in consistency, ending the season with the second-best defensive record and six points off top spot.

I think we have laid some remarkably strong foundations this season and I am hugely optimistic that we can continue to build on these ahead of 2026-27.

The pathway has seen its own share of success, is that a signal of intention for where the female section of the club is at?

The pathway is something we are incredibly proud of; we continue to uphold this club’s reputation for player development and give opportunities for young players to thrive. This is reinforced by the fact that four of our U16 players have gone on to make their First Team debuts throughout the 2025-26 season. This included Jess Webb, who made her debut in our Women’s FA Cup fixture against Brentford back in October. Ellie Szekeres solidified a spot in the First Team, going on to make 11 appearances, contributing one goal and four assists.

Our U16’s made it to the Invitational County Cup Final and secured their highest ever finish (3^rd) in the boys’ Junior Premier League. With the U14’s winning their Invitational County Cup final 3-0 against MK Dons.

Do you have any moments that felt particularly standout for you?

There are two moments that have stood out for me this season. Firstly, hosting our Community Day at Arbour Park in April at the game against Woodley United. We were blessed by lovely weather, we raised a significant amount for Breast Cancer Now, had our biggest crowd of the season and wrapped it up with a 5-0 victory. The other moment was the 1-0 home win against Wycombe Wanderers, which was their first defeat in over a year. I think the result reinforced our belief that we can compete with any team on our day.

Is there anything fans should be looking out for over the summer?

With a settled managerial structure and core squad, I am looking forward to a summer of far less changes on the footballing side. Off the field, we are hoping there will be some progressive developments to assist us with the continued rebuild.

Looking ahead, what does success in the 2026/27 season look like for you?

2025-26 has marked a notable shift in rediscovering our identity and we are focused on continuing the momentum into next season, with the aim being competing for promotion to the Women’s National League. We hope to enable more players from the pathway the opportunity to stretch and challenge themselves in women’s football too.

Reading FC Women First Team, U16’s and U14’s came together on Friday 8th of May to celebrate what has been a fantastic season for all three squads. Here’s all your winners:

Manager’s Player of the Season

First Team Managers’ Player of the Season – Poppy Whitburn

U16’s Managers’ Player of the Season – Melissa Dawson
U14’s Managers’ Player of the Season – Lilly Morris

Players’ Player of the Season

First Team Players’ Player of the Season – Jazz King

U16’s Players’ Player of the Season – Lara Moore
U14’s Players’ Player of the Season – Ruby Dabrell

Supporters’ Player of the Season

First Team Supporters’ Player of the Season – Sophie Butler
U16’s Supporters’ Player of the Season – Lara Moore
U14’s Supporters’ Player of the Season – Imogen Helyer

Staff Player of the Season

Staff Player of the Season – Jazz King

Golden Boot

First Team Golden Boot – Nat Cowell
U16’s Golden Boot – Hollie Tushingham
U14’s Golden Boot – Baiorne Lake & Nicole Withers

Goal of the Season

First Team Goal of the Season – Isabella Rowden (Away to Badshot Lea)
U16’s Goal of the Season – Ellie Szekeres (Away to Wycombe Wanderers)
U14’s Goal of the Season – Lilly Morris (Home to Procision)

Club Values

First Team Club Values – Ava Broke-Smith

U16’s Club Values – Mia Elliston
U14’s Club Values – Chloe Beddard

First Team Breakout Star of the Season

Breakout Star of the Season – Ellie Szekeres

First Team PFA Community Champion

PFA Community Champion – Nat Cowell

First Team Staff Member of the Season

Staff Member of the Season – Aimee Comley

Congratulations to everyone on their achievements!