READING FC WOMEN’s boss Kelly Chambers revealed that her only focus is on keeping the Royals in the Women’s Super League.
Having played a huge role at the club for more than two decades, Chambers is determined to fight to retain Reading’s top flight status.
The Royals are in the midst of a relegation battle and are currently in 10th position on 10 points, three above the drop zone.
“We know we’ve got a job to do and it is in our hands,” said Chambers.
“We have two big games coming up before the international break, they are two huge games for both teams in each of those games.
“Right now I’ve not thought about anything other than keeping the team up. I’ve got decisions to make on maternity leave in the short term, but 20 years plus here is a very long time, some might say too long. But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“We pride ourselves on our coaching. We know we can bring any player in and make them better.”
Despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league and being the only club in the division not backed by a men’s Premier League side, Chambers says she relishes the challenge of fighting against the odds.
She continued: “Every year has been a challenge here. I think me and Emma Hayes are the longest serving managers in the league so that’s an achievement in itself.
“It’s a club that I love. Sometimes it’s been a love, hate relationship in terms of the challenges. Not just for us as a women’s team but the whole club has had to go through.
“As much as it has been tough, and it’s probably turned tougher for us since covid if I’m being brutally honest in terms of finances. That’s not just us, but the whole club.
“When we were finishing fourth and fifth in the league it was great for us.
“We didn’t have a huge budget but used our resources well and I like that challenge. Right now my full focus is making sure Reading stay in this league and it’s so important that we do that.
“The facility we are at is one of the best in the league.
“We have a really good group of staff that love being here and trying to achieve the best for the club and we didn’t have that, we would be in even more of a struggle and I’m grateful I’ve been able to build that staff up.”
