At the St Mary’s Evening on 12th September the Mission Partner we prayed for was Angy King. Angy is Sports Chaplain to Women’s Football at Reading. Angy was able to join us on Zoom to share some news and prayer points.

Angy shared that there have been massive changes in Reading over the last few months due to financial difficulties at Reading FC and recent changes to the owners. The women’s team managed to stay in the Championship League at the end of last season but as neither the previous nor the new owner was prepared to finance the women’s teams anymore, they had to drop down three leagues into Tier 5. Playing in this league looks very different – part-time training two evenings per week, players paying to play, one coach who is a volunteer and games played on park pitches rather than at the stadium. Thankfully, the Reading Football Community Trust, who put coaches into schools, run holiday courses and alternative programmes for school excluders all around football, has stepped in to take on the Under 14s, 16s and the first team for three years. The first team will play and train at Slough Town FC and the younger teams will continue at John Madejski Academy school as previously. The head of the Trust is keen for Angy to remain involved as a chaplain to the players.

Understandably players have been struggling with the changes. Many players had to find new teams to play for and Angy had many supportive conversations with players and their parents through what, in effect, is a sudden bereavement. Angy is grateful for the many conversations she has had and the chance to show God’s love and compassion and pray for these players and their families at such a painful time for all involved. The three Christian players Angy met with regularly were all able to move to different teams to play for.

Angy shared the following prayer points:

Prayers for Reading FC Women

  • Give thanks for the hard work put in by Emma and Dave at the Reading FC Trust to ensure that there are teams still running in most age groups and they are fully staffed. Give thanks that they still want Angy to be fully involved as chaplain.
  • Pray that Angy will adapt to evening ministry rather than daytime, except for match days, and for safety as she travels to Slough and the surrounding area for games.
  • Give thanks that Angy has already had a good chance to chat to new players and staff who all seem willing to engage in conversation. Pray they will see God’s love and compassion for them through her.
  • Pray for opportunities to talk about Jesus with players, staff and parents.
  • Give thanks for the opportunity for the Salvation Army to play before the men’s game on 14th December. Pray that fans on the way into the game may want to stop and sing a few carols and that this will prompt them to consider Jesus this Christmas.
  • Pray for the players and staff that moved on to new clubs at the end of last season, that they will have chaplains at their clubs or other Christian players/staff. Pray the conversations they had with Angy will prompt them to investigate the Christian faith further.
  • Continue to pray for more chaplains to serve in the club. Also for wisdom as Angy decides whether to look for a chaplain living in Slough where the first team will train and play their games.

Prayers for Angy’s role as Sports Chaplaincy UK coordinator to chaplains working in women’s football

  • Give thanks that there are currently 14 chaplains working in women’s football. Give thanks for the way they care for and encourage each other and pray they may have opportunities to share their faith.
  • Give thanks that Angy should now have time to visit other chaplains at their clubs and for wisdom as she provides feedback to help them in their roles.
  • Pray she may be able to find chaplains for Everton and Cambridge who are waiting. Also, for the men’s chaplain at West Brom as he chats to the women’s team about Sports Chaplaincy. Pray they will want to know more.