The lure of home games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium might be a factor in recruitment for Reading FC Women who have been announcing new signings ahead of their third season in the Southern Regional Women’s Football League Premier Division.
Three new faces have been confirmed, with the first being Martha Riley. The 25 year-old midfielder has useful experience at Tier 4, having made 45 appearances whilst scoring 5 goals over two campaigns with Ashford Town (Middlesex) prior to spending last season at Maidenhead United where she made 5 starts and a further 13 substitute appearances.
An intelligent, ball-playing midfielder Riley’s arrival has delighted manager Ed Jackson-Norris who remarked that the capture was a “Great way to kick off our new signings this summer. Bags of Tier 4 experience, bags of energy and a great personality that fits right in with our group.”
Making a debut in Sunday’s drawn friendly game at Bognor – a match she described as “really good for a first game for me personally” – is another with Tier 4 experience having represented Chesham United last season, racking up 22 appearances. Jackson-Norris could not hide his excitement at his new capture, posting on X that Bishop has “looked electric since coming in”.
The most recent addition is richly experienced 26-year old Tarran Williams, who has worked with Jackson-Norris before at Maidenhead United. Williams has featured for the likes of North Iowa Area Community College in the US as well as Portsmouth closer to home. The central-defender – who Jackson-Norris insists “fits right into the personality of the group” – could link up again with ex-team mate Sarah Thompson at the heart of the Royals defence. Thompson being one of the players already confirmed as retained by Jackson-Norris, along with twins Keren and Keziah Benduka and last season’s manager’s player of the season for the Royals, Poppy Whitburn.
Three new faces have been confirmed, with the first being Martha Riley. The 25 year-old midfielder has useful experience at Tier 4, having made 45 appearances whilst scoring 5 goals over two campaigns with Ashford Town (Middlesex) prior to spending last season at Maidenhead United where she made 5 starts and a further 13 substitute appearances.
An intelligent, ball-playing midfielder Riley’s arrival has delighted manager Ed Jackson-Norris who remarked that the capture was a “Great way to kick off our new signings this summer. Bags of Tier 4 experience, bags of energy and a great personality that fits right in with our group.”
Making a debut in Sunday’s drawn friendly game at Bognor – a match she described as “really good for a first game for me personally” – is another with Tier 4 experience having represented Chesham United last season, racking up 22 appearances. Jackson-Norris could not hide his excitement at his new capture, posting on X that Bishop has “looked electric since coming in”.
The most recent addition is richly experienced 26-year old Tarran Williams, who has worked with Jackson-Norris before at Maidenhead United. Williams has featured for the likes of North Iowa Area Community College in the US as well as Portsmouth closer to home. The central-defender – who Jackson-Norris insists “fits right into the personality of the group” – could link up again with ex-team mate Sarah Thompson at the heart of the Royals defence. Thompson being one of the players already confirmed as retained by Jackson-Norris, along with twins Keren and Keziah Benduka and last season’s manager’s player of the season for the Royals, Poppy Whitburn.
