A girls’ football team from Maiden Erlegh School in Earley is one step away from playing at Wembley Stadium after progressing in the Utilita Girls Cup, representing Reading FC.
The national competition, organised by the English Football League (EFL), pairs school teams with local EFL clubs. Winners of the Area Finals advance to the Northern or Southern Regional Finals, with the ultimate goal of reaching the Wembley Final, scheduled before the Vertu Trophy Final on 12 April 2026.
Last week, Sky Blues in the Community, the official charity of Coventry City FC, hosted the Utilita Girls Cup Area Final in partnership with EFL in the Community. The tournament brought together local schools representing EFL clubs, showcasing the growing standard of girls’ football.
In a closely contested final, Maiden Erlegh School, representing Reading FC, defeated Kingsdown School, representing Swindon Town, 1–0. Reading’s No. 9, who was named Player of the Tournament, scored the decisive goal to secure progression to the next stage.
Reading and Swindon had advanced through the tournament by overcoming teams representing Birmingham City, Cheltenham Town, Coventry City, Northampton Town, Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion and Wycombe Wanderers.
Ian Crow, School Sport & Participation Manager at Sky Blues in the Community, praised the tournament’s standard and the players’ commitment.
“The tournament demonstrated an amazing standard throughout, with every participating school representing their respective clubs with pride, commitment, and professionalism,” he said. “The quality of football on display highlights the continued rise in female participation and reflects how standards are consistently improving across the pathway. Congratulations to Reading FC and Swindon Town, who have earned progression to the next stage of the tournament, and we wish them every success.”
Maiden Erlegh School will now prepare for the Southern Regional Finals, with hopes of reaching Wembley later this year.
