The Academy/Development squads watch thread 2024/25

[Snowball]

Jeez, Dolan too? Must be a money-saving thing.

This is beginning to get VERY serious

Money saving for them surely? He will come for a small compensation and small wages.

We will try to keep him I'm sure!

My error. I thought maybe he'd been let go as Youth team Coach and was going to Leeds

I didn't realise he was in for the manager's job.

[sandman]

With anger from the looks of twitter

Who is he, never heard of him, he's a nobody, etc

I bet they get even more upset when people wonder why he would want to go there with the state they're in at the moment.

[Snowball]

With anger from the looks of twitter

Who is he, never heard of him, he's a nobody, etc

I bet they get even more upset when people wonder why he would want to go there with the state they're in at the moment.

But THAT's the worry. If Eamon is prepared to give up on Reading and his academy maybe he's
surrounded by scary news and is getting out before (he thinks) the ship sinks

[MouldyRoyal]

Or he is being offered a bigger role at another club. It's hardly a sideways move, regardless of their/our ownership situation.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Exactly. Doesn't necessary reflect what's happening at Reading. He's done a great job with our academy, and is being rewarded with a chance to manage one of the biggest clubs in the league. It's a no brainer, unless Bri warns him off.

[maffff]

a chance to manage one of the biggest clubs in the league

Don't start.

Not in my lifetime. Not in time most of their fans have been alive.


But yes, he deserves a top job.

[Pepe the Horseman]

You know what I mean though. Even something like the Rotherham job would be tempting.

[fruits]

As someone else said , the new owner of Leeds is a fruit cake.Hope Brian will warn him off.
Dolan has done a great job in the academy,does anyone know if he applied or was headhunted?
If it´s the former, looks bad for the future of the academy either Dolan has been told its budget
is being cut dramatically or closed down. When accountants run football clubs, things like
Academies are the first to go.

I would have thought that Malky Mackay ex Cardiff would be nº1 for any club looking for a manager,
perhaps he has had enough of foreign owners after his experience of getting Cardiff to the Premier-
ship then having all the effort destroyed by the whims of another fruitcake.

I just hope that Dolan stays and that whoever buys the club will give him a free hand to continue his good work.

[Royal Ginger]

He's sort of done it all at youth level now. Plenty of first team players from the academy, success in the 18's and the 21's cups, perhaps it's just time for the next challenge.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

a chance to manage one of the biggest clubs in the league

Don't start.

Not in my lifetime. Not in time most of their fans have been alive.


But yes, he deserves a top job.

5 straight seasons in Europe as recently as 11 years ago (including that oft-mentioned Champions League semi-final)? 22,000+ average attendances in League 1?

They're significantly bigger than us.

And I fúcking h8 them too.

[maffff]

You know what I mean though. Even something like the Rotherham job would be tempting.

Yep!

[Royal Rother]

Hmm, a safe £70k pa to carry on the good work, or a risky £400k pa?

[Ian Royal]

Hmm, a safe £70k pa to carry on the good work, or a risky £400k pa?

£70k please

[ZacNaloen]

Reading FC politely tell Leeds United to FUCK OFF.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/footb ... ng-7247414

[Snowball]

Hmm, a safe £70k pa to carry on the good work, or a risky £400k pa?

£70k please

Or mention Leeds and up the 70K to 120K

[Ian Royal]

Hmm, a safe £70k pa to carry on the good work, or a risky £400k pa?

£70k please

Or mention Leeds and up the 70K to 120K

Nah, I'm good on the £70k ta. I don't have expensive tastes.

[kwik-silva]

U21s Friendlies:

- Tuesday 15th July, 7.45pm - v Basingstoke Town at the Camrose
- Saturday 19th July, 3pm v Salisbury City at Raymond McEnhill Stadium
- Tuesday 22nd July, 7.45pm v Bognor Regis at Nyewood Lane
- Friday 25th July, 7.30pm v Boreham Wood at Meadow Park
- Tuesday 29th July, 7.30pm v Hemel Hempstead Town at Vauxhall Road
- Friday 1st August, 1pm v Fulham at Hogwood Park behind closed doors
- Monday 4th August 2pm v Cardiff City at Hogwood Park behind closed doors
- Saturday 9th August, 11am v AFC Wimbledon at Hogwood Park behind closed doors
- Wednesday 13th August TBC
Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article ... 6tT0e5K.99

[WoodleyRoyal]

More sign on at Hogwood


With players now back for the start of the pre-season campaign - a number of the club's youngsters put pen to paper to confirm new contracts on Tuesday afternoon. More are set to follow in the coming fortnight.

Stuart Moore


Goalkeeper Stuart Moore signs a one year deal with the Royals. The 19 year old played a number of times for our under 18s and under 21s sides last season, whilst he also gained his first experience of men's football with spells at Gloucester City and Bath.

Shane Griffin



Left back Shane Griffin was nominated for Ireland's Under 19 Player of the Year Award for 2013 - and was a regular for our under 21s, helping to steer them to victory in the Premier League Cup. He was also handed a first team starting berth in a friendly clash with Oman at Madejski Stadium. He signs a two year contract.

Sean Long



Mobile right back Long was another regular starter for our successful under 21s this season, whilst at international level he captained Ireland Under 19s in the European Championships. He pens a two year deal.

Nana Owusu


A right back who has a penchant for the spectacular. Owusu was a regular starter for the Academy during their historic run to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup - and scored eye catching long range goals against Accrington and Crewe Alexandra. He signs a two year deal.

Dominic Samuel



Striker who signs an initial one year deal with the Royals. Samuel has already sampled Premier League football with Reading thanks to a substitute appearance against Sunderland in the 2012/13 campaign, though found himself troubled by injury last season after picking up a knee problem whilst on loan with Dagenham and Redbridge. Scored a superb goal in a under 21s clash with Manchester City.

Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article ... FDCpKA2.99

[Ian Royal]

Nana owusu played left back last season. And from what I recall had been converted there from the wing, though I guess it may have been RB.

[SCIAG]

Nana owusu played left back last season. And from what I recall had been converted there from the wing, though I guess it may have been RB.

Yeah, converted from the wing (mostly the right) and did play in midfield in some league matches last season, but I don't remember him playing right back. I guess it could be a similar situation to Julian Kelly- playing left back out of necessity (though we have McLennan...) but seen as a right back, but I think website operator error is more likely.

Pretty underwhelming news, Owusu aside. The others aren't bad players, but they're not as promising as other (largely younger) players.