Reading F.C. Under-23s and Academy

Reading Under-23s
Full name Reading Football Club
(Under-23s & Academy)
Nickname(s) The Royals
Ground Madejski Stadium,
Adams Park,
Hogwood Park
Chairman Sir John Madejski
Manager Ged Roddy (Academy)
Scott Marshall, (Under-23s)
David Dodds (Under-18s)
League U23 – Premier League 2 – Division 2
U18 – U18 Premier League – South Division
2017–18 U23s – 5th
U18s – 11th

The Reading Academy refers to the development teams of Reading Football Club. The club takes part in the Professional Development League system, with the Under-23 competing in the Premier League 2 – Division 2, and the Under-18 competing in the U18 Premier League – South Division.

Under the old youth training scheme, the club produced a number of first team players including Ady Williams, Scott Taylor and future England international Neil Webb. Since the Academy opened in 1999, 47 graduates have gone on to play first team football for Reading including Gylfi Sigurðsson, who was later sold for a club record transfer fee.

History

Reading were granted Academy status by the Football Association in February 1999. The first Academy manager was John Stephenson who oversaw the club's youth development until October 2000 when he left to join Preston North End. He was succeeded by former Reading goalkeeper, and the then goalkeeping coach, Nick Hammond.[1] After his appointment as Reading's first Director of football in September 2003, Hammond combined all three roles until the appointment of Exeter City boss Eamonn Dolan as the new Academy manager in October 2004,[2] a position he still holds. The club originally trained in rented facilities at Sonning Lane and Bradfield College but moved to their own training ground at Hogwood Park in Arborfield in 2004.[3][4] A two-year Academy partnership with Boreham Wood was announced in July 2012[5] with the club also aiming to have a first-team composed of 50% Academy players.[6] The introduction in 2012 of the four-tier academy system under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) forced the club to search for a new training ground in order to meet the criteria for Category One status.[7] With this in mind, the club agreed in principle to buy land at Bearwood Lakes Golf Club for a new training facility at a cost of between £10 million and £20 million in May 2013.[8][9] In July 2013, the club confirmed they had achieved Category One status.[10]

The Reading reserves competed in the Capital League between 1995 and 1998 before joining The Football Combination which they played in from 1998 until 2006, excluding the 1999–2000 season.[11] With the senior side's promotion to the Premier League in 2006, the reserve team was also promoted to the Premier Reserve League for the 2006–07 season. Under future first-team manager Brian McDermott, the reserves finished top of the Southern section and beat Bolton reserves 2–0 to win the overall title in their first season.[12] They finished second the following year but were relegated as the first team dropped into the Championship.[13] The reserves rejoined the Football Combination following their relegation and remained there until 2010 when they withdrew in order to arrange their own fixtures against a higher level of opposition.[14]

With the club's application for Category One status under the EPPP, the under-21 and Academy (under-18) teams competed in the new Professional Development League 1 for the 2012–13 season.[15] The teams were successful under the new format with the under-18s finishing as runners-up to Fulham in the inaugural competition,[16] and the under-21s winning the first U21 Premier League Cup the following year.[17]

Under-23s

The under-23s play their home matches at Hogwood Park, the club's training ground, with four games each season being played at the Madejski Stadium. Three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 23 are allowed to be selected for each fixture,[18] with scholars from the Academy squad also eligible to play.

As of 30 June 2017[19][20][21][22]

Current Under-23s squad

As of 1 July 2018, the following players are those in the senior squad who are under 23 and over 17.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
21 Ivory Coast FW Yakou Méïte
22 Netherlands DF Pelle Clement
27 England DF Omar Richards
35 England DF Andy Rinomhota
37 Iceland DF Axel Óskar Andrésson
38 Republic of Ireland MF Liam Kelly
39 Republic of Ireland MF Josh Barrett
40 Australia GK Liam Driscoll
41 England MF Ryan East
43 England GK George Legg
45 England FW Ben House
46 England DF Teddy Howe
48 England DF Ramarni Medford-Smith
49 England DF Gabriel Osho
51 England MF Tyler Frost
No. Position Player
52 Australia MF Joel Rollinson
54 England MF Ade Shokunbi
57 England DF Tom Holmes
58 Scotland MF Jordan Holsgrove
59 Scotland DF Thomas McIntyre
— England GK Luke Southwood
— England DF Jamal Balogun
— England DF Andre Burley
— England DF Cameron Green
— England DF Akinwale Odimayo
— Netherlands DF Darren Sidoel
— England MF Ethan Coleman
— England MF Moroyin Omolabi
— England MF Jazz Wallace
— England FW Adam Liddle

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
19 England FW Sam Smith (at Oxford United until end of 2018/19 season)
30 England DF Tennai Watson (at Oxford United until end of 2018/19 season)
34 England GK Lewis Ward (at Northampton Town until end of 2018/19 season)
36 United States FW Andrija Novakovich (at Fortuna Sittard until end of 2018/19 season)

Under-18 team

Each year, following the completion of their full-time education, the club signs a number of schoolboys, from both within the academy and from other clubs, on scholarship agreements.[23] The scholarships last two years after which the player signs professionally or is released by the club. In instances where a player is particularly valued, the club may opt to sign them on professional terms at an earlier age.[24] The scholars make up the bulk of the Academy team which competes in the under-18 league, though younger players are also eligible. As well as the league, the Academy also enters a team into the FA Youth Cup.

The under-18s play their home matches at Hogwood Park, the club's training ground, with a selection of games each season being played at the Madejski Stadium. Three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 18 are allowed to be selected for each fixture, with scholars from the Academy squad also eligible to play.

Current Under-18s squad

As of 1 July 2018, the following players are those in the senior squad who are under 18.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
56 England FW Danny Loader
— England GK Adam Desbois
— England GK James Hillson
— England GK Morgan Kealy
— England GK Myles Roberts
— England DF Ethan Bristow
— England DF Jeriel Dorsett
— England DF Marcel Elva-Fountaine
— England DF Josh Hewitt
— England DF Roberto Nditi
— England DF Emmanuel Obamakinwa
— England DF Jacob Pemberton
— England MF Ayo Faniyan
No. Position Player
— England MF Conor Lawless
— England MF Kian Leavy
— England MF Jordan Murray
— England MF Jack Nolan
— England MF Michael Olise
— England MF Oliver Pendlebury
— England MF Terrance Saydee
— England MF Khalid Simmo
— England MF Fabio Sole
— England FW Ricky Hansen
— England FW Shamar Moore
— England FW Thierry Nevers
— England FW Thomas Stevens

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
— Iceland GK Jökull Andrésson (at Hungerford Town until 1 January 2019)

Staff

Academy and development staff[25][26]

  • Academy manager: Ged Roddy
  • Assistant Academy manager: David Dodds
  • Professional phase coach: Scott Marshall
  • U18 Coach: Ryan Williams
  • Head of Academy Physiotherapy: Steve Cottrell
  • Lead Academy Doctor: Dr Marc Batista
  • U18 Physiotherapist: Ramon Holland
  • PDP Physiotherapist: Joe Sicheri
  • U9-16 Physiotherapist: Liam Beale
  • U23 Sport Scientist: Ollie Harrington
  • U18 Sport Scientist: David Breakspeare
  • U9-16 Sport Scientist: Fintan White
  • PDP Strength and Conditioning Coach: John Mulroy
  • Academy Performance Coach: Ben Marks

Former players

Graduates

Prior to the establishment of the Academy, Reading produced several players for the first-team who went on to have successful careers. Neil Webb became Reading's youngest ever goalscorer aged 17 years and 31 days and made a total of 81 appearances for the club, later going on to win 26 England caps.[27] Ady Williams made nearly 400 appearances in three spells between 1988 and 2004 and was capped 13 times for Wales[28] whilst Stuart Lovell made 227 league appearances, scored 58 times and played twice for the Australia national team.[29] Others to have come through the ranks include Johnny Brooks, Jerry Williams, Steve Hetzke, Scott Taylor and Maurice Evans, who made over 400 league appearances for Reading and later managed the first-team between 1977 and 1984.[30][31]

Since the Academy opened in 1999, 40 graduates have gone on to play for the first team. Players who have gone on to play for their country at full international level are marked in bold whilst those still at the club are marked in italics.[32][33]

Statistics

As of 19 July 2018
Academy graduates Reading F.C. and international careers
Player Position Reading International U21/U23 International
Professional Career Apps Goals Country Apps Goals Country Apps Goals
Denmark Mikkel Andersen Goalkeeper 2007–2015 5 0 –  Denmark 10 0
Iceland Axel Óskar Andrésson Defender 2016– 2 0 –  Iceland 5 2
Republic of Ireland Josh Barrett Midfielder 2015– 4 0 –  Republic of Ireland 1 0
England Nicholas Bignall Striker 2008–2013 4 2 – –
Scotland Darren Campbell Midfielder 2003–2005 1 0 – –
England Peter Castle Defender 2003–2006 1 0 – –
Wales Simon Church Striker 2007–2013 122 24  Wales 38 5  Wales 15 8
England Jake Cooper Defender 2014–2017 56 4 – –
Republic of Ireland Simon Cox Striker 2005–2008; 2014–2016 69 9  Republic of Ireland 30 4 –
England Lawson D'Ath Midfielder 2010–2014 1 0 – –
Republic of Ireland Scott Davies Midfielder 2006–2011 5 0 –  Republic of Ireland 3 0
England Robert Dickie Defender 2014–2018 1 0 – –
Australia Ryan Edwards Midfielder 2012–2015 10 0 –  Australia 18 0
England Tarique Fosu Midfielder 2014–2017 1 0 – –
England Alex Haddow Midfielder 1999–2001 4 0 – –
England Ben Hamer Goalkeeper 2006–2011 5 0 – –
Jamaica Michael Hector Defender 2009–2015 88 4  Jamaica 19 0 –
England James Henry Midfielder 2006–2010 18 4 – –
England Darius Henderson Striker 1999–2004 83 15 – –
Turkey Jem Karacan Midfielder 2007–2015 175 12 –  Turkey 3 0
England Julian Kelly Defender 2008–2011 13 0 – –
Republic of Ireland Liam Kelly Midfielder 2013– 71 8 –  Republic of Ireland 1 0
England Niall Keown Defender 2013–2017 2 0 –  Republic of Ireland 2 0
England Aaron Kuhl Midfielder 2013–2017 8 0 – –
England Danny Loader Striker 2017– 1 0 – –
Republic of Ireland Sean Long Defender 2013–2017 1 0 –  Republic of Ireland 11 1
Republic of Ireland Shane Long Striker 2005–2011 203 54  Republic of Ireland 81 17  Republic of Ireland 1 0
England Alex McCarthy Goalkeeper 2007–2014 75 0 –  England 3 0
United States Andrija Novakovich Striker 2015– 2 0  United States 2 0 –
England Jordan Obita Defender 2010– 164 4 – –
Kenya Curtis Osano Midfielder 2005–2008 2 0 – –
Republic of Ireland Alex Pearce Defender 2006–2015 240 15  Republic of Ireland 7 2  Scotland 2 0
England Omar Richards Defender 2016– 11 2 – –
England Andy Rinomhota Midfielder 2015– 2 0 – –
Wales Hal Robson-Kanu Midfielder 2007–2016 228 30  Wales 44 5  Wales 4 2
England Dominic Samuel Striker 2012–2017 15 2 – –
Iceland Gylfi Sigurðsson Midfielder 2008–2010 51 22  Iceland 60 20  Iceland 14 6
England Sam Smith Striker 2016– 9 2 – –
England Jack Stacey Midfielder 2013–2017 6 0 – –
England Craig Tanner Striker 2013–2017 5 1 – –
Wales Jake Taylor Midfielder 2009–2016 36 3  Wales 1 0  Wales 10 0
England Aaron Tshibola Midfielder 2013–2016 17 0  DR Congo 1 0 –
England Nathan Tyson Midfielder 1999–2004 38 1 – –
England Tennai Watson Defender 2015– 7 0 – –
England Jamie Young Goalkeeper 2003–2006 1 0 – –
Totals 45 Players 1,863 218 10 Players 283 53 16 Players 103 19

Careers elsewhere

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

A number of players attached to the Academy as schoolboys and scholars, as well as those who signed professionally but never made a first team appearance, have gone on play league football elsewhere. Those that have gone on to play for their country at full international level are marked in bold.[32][34][35][36][37]

Records and honours

Several Academy graduates hold club records. Peter Castle became the club's youngest ever player when he came on as a substitute against Watford on 30 April 2003 for his first and only Reading appearance, aged 16 years and 49 days, whilst Gylfi Sigurðsson holds the record for the highest transfer fee received when he moved to Hoffenheim in August 2010.[54] In May 2013 Alex McCarthy became the first Reading graduate to be selected in the England squad since the Academy era began in 1999.[55] Additionally, three graduates have been named Player of the Season with Gylfi Sigurðsson, Alex Pearce and Jordan Obita winning in 2009–10, 2011–12 and 2013–14 respectively.[56]

The Football Combination[11]
Winners: 2003–04, 2008–09
Runners-up: 2005–06
Premier Reserve League
Winners: 2006–07[13]
Under-21 Premier League Cup
Winners: 2013–14[17]
Under-18 Professional Development League 1
Runners-up: 2012–13[16]

References

  1. ↑ "The Royals Academy". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 2 April 2002. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  2. ↑ "Moving farewell for football boss". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  3. ↑ "Royals line up Arborfield training ground". Reading Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Little to return for Cup derby". Reading Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Royals agree Academy Partnership". Reading F.C. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "Grimsby Town youth player Lewis Collins all set for Royal appointment". Grimsby Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Fordham, Jonny (20 September 2012). "Reading FC on the hunt for a new training ground". Reading Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  8. ↑ "Training ground deal". Reading F.C. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  9. ↑ Fort, Linda (17 May 2013). "Reading FC aim to buy Bearwood golf course". Reading Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Category One confirmed". Reading F.C. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Football Combination records". Royals Record. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Royals are Viktorious". Reading Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  13. 1 2 "Premier Reserve League records". Royals Record. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  14. ↑ Fordham, Jonny (28 April 2010). "Reading FC ditch reserve league". Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "Youth development rules" (pdf). The Football Association. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  16. 1 2 "Barclays U18s: Fulham crowned champions". Premier League. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Reading turn tables on Man City to lift U21 PL Cup". The Premier League. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  18. ↑ "How does the U21s League work?". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "Team". Reading F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "18 contracts offered". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Academy additions". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Squad numbers confirmed". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "The new crop". Reading F.C. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Tanner and Tshibola sign on". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  25. ↑ "Academy and development staff". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "Youngsters beat Wolfsburg". Reading F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  27. ↑ Rice, Xan (9 May 2004). "When the music stops - Part 1". The Observer. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Player profile: Ady Williams". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "I felt like a fair dinkum Aussie". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  30. ↑ "Reading F.C. players 1946–2012". Neil Brown statistics. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  31. ↑ "Managers of Reading F.C." Reading F.C. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  32. 1 2 "Academy graduates". Reading F.C. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  33. ↑ "Academy graduates". Reading F.C. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  34. ↑ "Dolan's insight into newboys". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "Korea's Nam Tae-Hee believes Sunderland-bound Ji Dong-Won will be a 'great player'". Goal.com. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  36. ↑ "Royals offer scholarship contracts to seven schoolboys for next season". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 27 June 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  37. ↑ "Induction for new intake". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 20 July 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  38. ↑ Gibson, Richard (7 November 2012). "Scouting Report: Ex-brickie Austin leading Ronaldo, Messi and Co in Euro goalscoring charts". Daily Mail. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  39. ↑ "Player profile: Marvin Bartley". Burnley F.C. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "Doug Bergqvist joins Exeter from Aldershot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  41. ↑ "Henrik Breimyr profile". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  42. ↑ "Town sign Daniel Carr". Huddersfield Town F.C. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  43. ↑ "Harry Cooksley profile". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Reading axe Murty and Hahnemann". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  45. ↑ "Uche Ikpeazu: Watford sign prolific teenager on pro contract". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  46. ↑ "Adam Mekki profile". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  47. ↑ "Johnny Mullins profile". Rotherham United F.C. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  48. ↑ "Matt Partridge". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  49. ↑ "Dolan: 'Academy is a success'...but Gooding's unconvinced". Reading Post. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  50. ↑ "James Rowe profile". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  51. ↑ "Louie Soares profile". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  52. ↑ "Vasilev signing: Inside info". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  53. ↑ Rayner, Stuart (18 January 2012). "Connor Wickham's time to stand on his own has arrived". The Journal. Newcastle. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  54. ↑ "Club honours and records". Reading F.C. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  55. ↑ "McCarthy in England squad". Reading F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  56. ↑ "Statistics". Reading F.C. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
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