“It still pulls on my heartstrings … it took one person’s decision and then it’s all gone away.”
While the outcome of Reading’s women’s team has been decided, the feelings of displeasure and resentment remains.
Wales’ Charlie Estcourt acted as an interim spokesperson for the whole squad during the latter stages of last season, and even though she’s now departed, the disbelief at what has happened to her beloved club still lingers.
“I still can’t believe that it can go wrong to that degree so quickly. It was such a good setup, and the club had everything in place, but it just took one person’s decision and then it’s all gone away.
“I’ve spoken about it before, and Reading is something that’s very close to my heart. It’s where I grew up playing and it’s where I’m from and it’s the club I support. The end of last season was really difficult.”
Reading is in Estcourt’s blood. She was born in the city, came through the academy, and in two separate stints spent a total of seven years of her career with the Royals.
Berkshire born and bred; Reading will stick with the Wales international wherever she goes. Even if seeing where they are now is difficult, she does keep track of how they’re doing in the fifth tier.
“I do keep an eye on how things are going, but I find it hard to be honest. It still pulls on my heartstrings a little bit the fact that they’re even in the fifth tier and having to do what they’re doing.”
Wales star remains upbeat despite lack of minutes at Manchester United
American adventure
Attention over the summer turned to what was next for Estcourt, and there were plenty of suitors.
But, like many Welsh internationals over the summer, her next destination would be abroad, and to the USA, and specifically DC Power.
“Towards the back end of the season and there were a lot of rumours flying around about Reading, and I spoke to my agent and said let’s see if we can put some feelers out.
“I heard about the new league over in America, and I thought it would be a really interesting opportunity to see what it was about and see what they could offer.
“He spoke to a few clubs out there and I had a bit of interest from a few clubs, but I had calls with them and I thought DC Power was the best fit for me.”
Moving your entire life to a new country is daunting for anyone, but luckily for Estcourt, plenty of players around her boosted her confidence ahead of her move, particularly her best friend Lily Woodham.
“I definitely spoke to Lily a lot. She’s one of my close friends and she was really big in making me more comfortable in making that decision.
“I had seen her do it six months before, and that gave me a bit of an extra push as well to tell myself, I can do it.
“It was so helpful speaking to her, and also Jess and Angharad, because it’s the little things as well like your bank, your phone, all those things they were brilliant with me.”
The big positive for the former Royal is that DC Power as a whole are a new team. All the players, staff, and higher ups were all coming into the project in the same place.
As with anything brand new, things have taken time to implement, and while it has been frustrating, Estcourt has praised the togetherness in the squad.
“It’s a new league, it’s a new squad, a new club, and everyone is in the same position.
“Obviously there has been teething issues and stuff like that in terms of the running of the club, which has been challenging at times, but we’ve got a really good group of girls which makes things a lot easier, as well as a good group of staff.
“We’re definitely moving in the right direction, and it will all fall into place, but it just takes a little bit of time, as does anything new.”
Perhaps there are many of you who don’t know too much about DC Power, and what league they play in.
The club are one of eight founding teams of the USL Super League, the tier below the NWSL. Plenty of former WSL players have made their way over to join this exciting project, including Natasha Flint, Jade Moore, and Kaylan Marckese.
When a new league is formed, there is always question marks about how things will pan out, but Estcourt says the quality in the division is high.
“I’ve found the standard really good and really competitive. Going from the Championship to over there has been a step up for me.
“It’s really high intensity and there’s such a mixture of players. It’s good for the league to see a lot of variety, and the league will only get stronger as a result.”
Wales vs. Ireland preview: A view from across the Irish Sea
On the verge of history
Attention, however, for Estcourt is with Wales, as they attempt to reach their first ever major tournament.
It’s been a terrific year for the 26-year-old in the red shirt. Having been used sporadically under Gemma Grainger, she did start her final game in charge against Germany in Swansea, a game where she starred.
“That game against Germany gave me a lot of confidence in what I can do in that position on the pitch. It is still quite new to me even then, but to play against top calibre opposition and being able to perform how I did, it gave me the confidence to kick on.”
A new manager coming in presented new opportunities for everyone in the squad, and Estcourt is one of many who have benefitted from Wilkinson’s arrival.
“Rhian is very good at communicating, and she spoke with all of us on an individual basis and where she sees us, what she sees as our strengths, and how we can impact the team in a positive way.
“She did that with me, and she sees me as more of a wing-back, which is where I’ve been playing for Wales for a while now, and it’s been a really positive campaign for myself.”
And after squeaking past Slovakia, Wales are now two games away from a major tournament, with only the Republic of Ireland standing in their way.
There is obviously plenty of talk in the media and in pockets of the Red Wall about what this team can do if they get to Switzerland, but Estcourt and the squad have their feet firmly on the ground.
“It can be difficult to block out the talk about what could happen, but we do a really good job as a group to just focus on the next thing, which is the game on Friday.
“We’ve not given a thought about Tuesday. Friday is the job at hand, and we need to make sure we’re focused on what’s ahead and not on what’s happened in previous campaigns.
“It’s about the here and the now and what we can control.”
The huge positive heading into the first leg in Cardiff City Stadium is that there will be a record crowd ready to cheer on the team.
Even two years ago, a moment like this for many was only a pipedream, but Estcourt and the squad always believed they could break records.
“Our crowds have been growing over the years and we’ve got a great team of staff who have been pushing that and done an amazing job.
“Every home game, even the last home game we had here, the attendance was great, the atmosphere was amazing, and we knew the more successful we are, the more the crowds will come in and support us, and we’ve seen that grow as a team.
“We all thought something like this was possible, but it’s amazing it’s happening.”
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