Kelly Chambers reflected on a difficult day for Reading FC after they were relegated from the Women’s Super League.
The Royals’ fate was sealed on the final day with defeat to Chelsea, who sealed a fourth consecutive WSL title.
Reading finished the season bottom of the table after picking up just 11 points in what conspired to be a miserable campaign.
It’s a tough day, the league doesn’t lie,” said Chambers.
“You need to be good enough across the season but at the moment we can’t compete with the investment other clubs are putting in.
“You only have to look at the January transfer window at the other clubs in and around us and the injection they had to make sure they stayed up.
“It’s been a tough season, I’m not going to hide from that. I’m very proud that we have been in the league for eight years and every year we’ve had the lowest budget and have been able to compete and find ways to stay in this league.”
The Royals ended five point adrift of escaping the relegation places behind Brighton & Hove Albion who finished in 11th.
Chambers’ team have been in the WSL since 2015 and the Reading boss in now plotting an immediate return to the top flight.
She continued: “The first one (conversation) will be with the club to make sure what is next and where do they want to go with taking the women’s side forward.
“And then building a team for next year and making sure we step into the Championship ready to compete and be ready to bounce straight back up.
“We’ve missed quite a few players this season. We’ve had an injury hit season which hasn’t helped in terms of the squad size.”
The club has already confirmed that club captain Emma Mukandi will leave when her contract expires this summer with a squad overhaul expected in the coming months.
