Wexford FC announce link with English League One club Reading's academy

“This will be a great opportunity for both clubs to share coaching philosophies around developing young players," said Noel Hunt.

NEW LINK: Wexford FC have officially announced that they have established a new link with the academy of English League One club Reading. Pic credit: Wexford FC.

Wexford FC have officially announced that they have established a new link with the academy of English League One club Reading.

A contingent from Reading, including Michael Gilkes (Academy Manager), Jamie Greenwood (Head of Football) and Noel Hunt (U21 Manager and Head of Player Development) met with Wexford FC management on Saturday at the Talbot Hotel Wexford to announce the new partnership.

There is a long association between Wexford football and Reading with Wexford-born and former Ireland international Kevin Doyle enjoying a stellar career with the Royals, where he made 155 appearances in the late 2000s alongside other Irish footballers such as Shane Long, Stephen Hunt, and Noel Hunt.

The partnership will see Reading's elite coaching staff visit Ferrycarrig Park to share best practice with the League of Ireland side, leading sessions and sharing knowledge with Wexford’s coaching staff, who will also travel to Berkshire on a regular basis as part of the link between the clubs.

There is potential within this partnership for some of the League One club's - they currently sit 23rd in the table - young promising Academy players to earn first team football on loan with the Wexford senior side in the future.

“We have had a fantastic history of young players coming to us from the south-east of Ireland over the last couple of decades and rekindling that relationship is important to us for many different reasons," Noel Hunt told Reading's official website.

“This will be a great opportunity for both clubs to share coaching philosophies around developing young players and hopefully our relationship continues to grow towards the common goal of developing hardworking, talented, bright, young footballers.”

Wexford added in their official statement; "We are now thrilled to have this officially recognised with a club link between Wexford FC and Reading FC following discussions over recent months.

"The new link follows from a highly productive visit in recent months from Wexford FC staff to the Reading FC Community Trust, with thanks to Dave Evans, to provide Wexford FC with valuable advice and guidance on community projects.

"Noel Hunt remains at Reading to this day as U21 Manager, with fellow Irishman Brian Carey as Head of Recruitment with The Royals. We also remember the late Eamonn Dolan, twin brother of former Wexford Youths Head Coach Pat Dolan, who was Academy Manager and Caretaker Manager of Reading FC.

"Going forward, we hope to learn from Reading’s extensive Football and Social Responsibility (FSR) programmes as well as assistance with coaching and player development.

"We are grateful to all at Reading FC who have made this possible and look forward to a great relationship between the two clubs in future!"