Reading favourite left 'angry and disappointed' with lack of communication from club

Reading favourite Charlie Estcourt has admitted that she is 'angry and disappointed' with the lack of communication from the club as worrying rumours surrounding the women's set-up continue to grow.

Estcourt, born and raised in the town, is a full Wales international and returned to her hometown club last summer after three years playing elsewhere.

Vice-captain this year, the Royals survived in the Women's Championship despite receiving minimal financial support from negligent owner Dai Yongge.

READ MORE: Reading FC petition set up as uncertainty remains over women

However, reports have emerged in the past week suggesting that the club will need to be relegated to the fourth tier or face extinction altogether unless funds can be put forward to support the women's set-up.

This includes the Academy structure, with the Under-21s lifting the Berks and Bucks Cup last season and winning their division.

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Estcourt spoke of her anger at the lack of communication coming from her employers.

"As far as I know, nobody knows anything," the 26-year-old told former Royals captain Ady Williams. "We haven’t heard from our staff, but I don’t know whether that means they haven’t heard from people at the club or if they’re in talks with them. The communication from all levels has been really poor.

"It’s been one of the most disappointing things of the whole situation- we have been left completely in the dark. It is people’s livelihoods and jobs. It’s not just us in the first team, it’s all the staff and the whole women’s set-up has been left completely in the dark and we could now be given a week before pre-season starts to find a new club. As much as they may say that there is no news to tell you, there is still clearly stuff that you could communicate to us and it would put everyone in a better situation looking to the future.

"I don’t know if I’d use the word bitter, but it has definitely made me angry and disappointed. I thought we would be treated much better by the club. The women’s side has such an amazing history in women’s football, and we’ve always worked with not as much as what other clubs get and overachieved. The way it has been handled is disrespectful and not ok."

Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, and former CEO Nigel Howe have been the recognisable faces supporters and staff alike have called for communication from this season.

However, both face a difficult period coming up after individual FA charges this year.

The club are yet to comment on the future of the women's team, leading to supporters and families setting up a petition. This has been signed by more than 2,000 people since Thursday.