Steve Peart, August 2025

The Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier kicks off on Sunday 31st August, this season with eleven teams, one more than last.

It would have been twelve but Selsey, bottom last season, have withdrawn due to being unable to replace departing players. They said they intend to carry on in the future as a club when they have enough players, and a manager. The women’s pyramid simply does not have enough players and clubs to support the structure properly. Divisions are small and the difference in quality between top and bottom teams is too big. That situation will improve given time, if the game continues to grow and attract more young girls. 

With no teams relegated, three teams enter the division this season. Southampton Women (not to be confused with the separate Southampton FC Women) were relegated from National South West after recording just two wins and a draw last season. They were last in the Southern Region Premier in 2016-17, dropping just three points as champions. They then had two consecutive second place finishes in the National South West but have gradually found the going harder, just avoiding relegation the previous season before dropping down. Incidentally, Bournemouth Sports, Southern Premier champions two seasons ago, finished third from bottom in the National South West last season, seven points clear of relegation. It is a big jump up in standards. Southampton Women, nicknamed the Sirens, have retained twelve of last season’s squad, including former Chairgirl Development team captain Chloe Ball, but have lost the services of their left back legend Laura Vokes (not sure if she is related to Sam!). After 10 years she has joined Winchester City Flyers. I expect the Sirens to be very competitive this season.

Promoted are Fleet Town from D1S, and Beaconsfield Town from D1N. Normally, promoted teams carry some momentum, AFC Portchester are a good example of that last season. The Chairgirls are very quickly going to find out just how good these two newcomers are, being away to them in their first two games, starting with the Rams on Sunday who have a growing number of ex-Chairgirls in their ranks. These include new signings Molly Carter, Bonnie Messitt, Katie Hudson and Alix Todd, the latter a regular with champions Ascot United last season. They join Katie Riddington, Sarah Davern, Charlotte Hill, Freya Harris, Ruby Harris, Honor Cantrell, Poppy Lloyd and Amelia Sage, who have all played for W3 in the past.  

Reading dropped three divisions last season, due to the financial problems of the parent club, and a whole new set of players found it hard going with a third from bottom finish. There have been a lot of player comings and going this summer, and they have a new manager, Ed Jackson-Norris, who left Maidenhead United Women after three years as Head Coach. He is ambitious and, in a recent interview, said that they are aiming for promotion this season in a financially responsible way and added that potentially two promotion places are available. I am trying to get that confirmed from W3. He has also said that his team are in Rob Couhig’s thinking but he realises the main club takes priority. In pre-season friendlies, the Royals had an 8-0 win against Slough, but lost 3-2 at Leatherhead, 2-1 at Penn & Tylers Green and 4-1 at Farnham Town. The Chairgirls beat the latter 3-0 in July. I think Reading will be much stronger this season, with an outside chance of promotion, but they will only get stronger as a club, especially if they can return to playing in Reading. Slough Town continues to be their home. 

Of the other teams, AFC Portchester are likely to be top three again, they have largely retained their talented squad from last season. Winchester City Flyers and Oxford City are always top half finishers, and the Flyers welcome long serving Chairgirl Amy Leach to their ranks. Sholing, with a new 3G pitch, have kept most of last year’s squad. Woodley United have lost some experienced players, including Chloe Melton to Wycombe and former Chairgirls Katie Hudson and Bonnie Messitt to Beaconsfield. Last year’s strugglers Badshot Lea have a small squad, retaining seven from last season. 

As for the Chairgirls, they will be one of the favourites, especially given several new signings with higher level experience, including the top level, as follows: 

Chloe is a very experienced and proven goalscorer who started at Reading Academy before playing four seasons for Minot State University in North Dakota. She then played for Yeovil Town in the WSL, and has also appeared for Chichester City, Farnham Town and AFC Stoneham. Last season she appeared for Ashford Town and Woodley United, playing for the latter against the Chairgirls in their 3-1 defeat. Chloe also represented GB Police at the European Police Championship in June, in Germany, when GB reached the semi-final.

Cat joins from Fulham, with National League experience at MK Dons, and at Oxford United where she played with captain Bobby Lynch. She has played for the RAF and Armed Forces, and represented England at U17 and U19 level when a goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper Lucia has signed from Chesham United, who she joined in 2018 and is another with extensive National League experience.

18 year old goalkeeper Robyn signs from Chelsea Academy and has also played for Cyprus U19s.

Emma joins from Chesham United where she has been a midfield fixture for many years. Sister of new signing Lucia, Emma has previous experience with Chelsea first team making 99 appearances between 2004-2010, and appearing alongside players like Ellen White, Eni Aluko and Anita Asante. She has also spent time in the USA with Richmond Kickers Destiny. Emma holds a UEFA B coaching licence.

This is the 2025-26 first team squad, which includes three goalkeepers. Last season’s number one keeper, Amber Taylor, appears to be behind Lucia Delves, but Robyn Cullen played in the Sponsors Cup. There are currently 41 players registered for the first team, including many youth teamers.

The main aim for the Chairgirls this season is very clear, promotion to the National League, the quality of the new signings underlines that. Getting to the FA Cup First Round for the first time ever must be another aim, it would take two wins which would unlock £7000 in prize money, and another £6000 if they win in the First Round. Such sums would make a big difference to the club, especially if they are promoted. Winning a cup is well within their reach, whether the Berks & Bucks or the League Cup.

Without counting the Sponsors Cup, the last time the First team won a competition was in 2014, when they won the Thames Valley Counties League Plate, beating Headington 3-1 in the final. Photo of the victorious team, below, courtesy of the Bucks Free Press.

As we know, W3 never announce player departures, so here is a list of players who made first team appearances last season and are not registered this season. I thank them for their commitment shown to Wycombe Wanderers FC Women and wish them well at their next club.

• Sophie Attfield (to Milton United)

• Milana Cadore

• Molly Carter (to Beaconsfield Town)

• Beth Chapman

• Amelie Furphy-Yamakazi

• Ashleigh Harte

• Amy Leach (to Oxford City)

• Giulia Livi

• Latifa Mammeri

• Libby Monaghan

• Emma Newberry (to Beaconsfield Town)

• Mia Parkin

• Juliette Pinner (to Oxford City)

• Shannon Read 

• Molly Scott

After nearly ten years a Chairgirl, Emma Newberry joined the Rams in October. She is not registered with them this season. Amy Leach leaves for the Hoops after six seasons at Wycombe, and Ashleigh Harte after two, both key players last season. Molly Carter is another of the long termers to depart.

It is going to be an exciting season, I think the best ever, and we have at least two, possibly three, games to look forward to at Adams Park. Hopefully one of those will be against Reading when we could see a gate of over 1,000.