Reading FC Under-23 manager Noel Hunt believes that building relationship with local lower league sides could be crucial for the Academy stars of the future.

Former Royal striker Hunt re-joined the club in the Spring and lifted the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, the first time the club had won the local trophy since 1994.

With sides such as Hungerford Town and Bracknell Town impressing in their divisions, the former Republic of Ireland international feels it can help the next crop of Reading stars.

Speaking on the 1871 Podcast, Hunt said: “We’re trying to build relationships with football clubs around us, like Hungerford and Bracknell. Some of our young ones go out and sample training and are in a dressing room on a Saturday afternoon to see what it means to these guys who work 9-5, and how much passion and desire they have to go and win for maybe an extra £25.

“You’re preparing them for life. The Academy has got an unbelievable history. We try and treat it as a first team environment so there’s more responsibility for these players, we treat it as a first team fixture list in our own right because we’ve got to prepare these lads for hopefully our first team, which is the most important thing, if not then we’re trying to prepare them for life in the EFL or even in the Conference.

"There is a stigma around League One and League Two but it’s a fantastic learning environment. I was there for four years as an assistant and some of the brands of football they play is of a really high standard. They might not be ready for our first team, but can we get them experience in the league. Everyone learns at different times, so we have to find a balance.”

Playing more than 150 times in RG2 during the mid-2000s, 2012 Championship winner Hunt is under no illusions of what it takes to make it at the SCL Stadium [Madejski Stadium in his playing days.]

Describing the club as ‘The Royal Family’, the springy striker emphasised that standards will not be allowed to drop.

 

READ MORE: Reading FC Under-23s win Berks and Bucks Senior Cup Final

 

“We are a Royal Family,” he started. “To be a Royal you have to have to highest standards, and that’s in everything. Every day is an opportunity to better yourself.”

 

Click here to listen to the full episode.