Reading have a long, hard winter ahead as they prepare for their first dalliance in The FA WSL 1.
But for now, manager Kelly Chambers wants her players to revel in their achievement of being crowned WSL 2 champions.
The Royals were already promoted, along with Doncaster Rovers Belles, at the end of September but the destination of the title was still up for grabs going into the final day of the season.
Though the teams were level on 42 points after extraordinary seasons, Reading held the advantage of having a superior goal difference, effectively meaning that three points at Aston Villa on the final day would seal the title.
Reading boss Kelly Chambers with The FA WSL 2 trophy, following promotion
But it was only shortly before half time that they broke the deadlock at Villa, with the Belles already leading at home to Millwall.
An eventual 3-2 victory at Sutton Coldfield was Reading’s 14th in the league this season – a remarkable run when you consider key player and England star Fran Kirby moved to Chelsea midway through the season.
The standard of competition in WSL 1 is as tough as ever, highlighted by 2013 and 2014 champions Liverpool finishing seventh this term.
But Chambers says her hardworking squad must enjoy the moment.
"It feels amazing, winning the league is fantastic and it’s the reason we play football because we want to win stuff," said Chambers, who originally joined Reading in 2002 as a girl’s centre of excellence age group coach.
"The girls have worked hard to achieve what they have and I’m over the moon for them.
"I think it all came down to the sheer hard work that the girls have put in this season, and the depth and quality that we have had in our squad this season.
"We’ve got a squad of 24 and not just a starting 11, which has been the case all year and every time we have stepped onto that pitch it has been a whole squad effort and not just those on the pitch.
Doncaster Rovers Belles celebrate their promotion to WSL 1
"But the hard work the girls have put in all season has been fantastic.
"I want the girls to enjoy the moment because it is special for them. Behind the scenes there is still a lot of work to do and in preparation for being part of WSL 1 next year, but I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be brilliant."
For Doncaster, it has been a season of achievement too, of course.
Runners-up only to Sunderland in 2014, there are more than deserving recipients of the newly-created second promotion spot.
Like Reading, Doncaster claimed 14 league wins this season and in striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk they boast the sharpest shooter in WSL – with the former Notts County star having struck 25 goals in 24 games in all competitions.
Work to prepare off the pitch has begun already with the launch of ‘Project Phoenix’ which will see a new training facility built and several of the players offered full-time contracts.
So although there is five months to wait until they discover what will happen when it all begins again – one thing’s for sure: WSL 1 has gained two forces to be reckoned with.
