Reading FC Under-23s manager Noel Hunt believes that the club are on the right track after avoiding relegation last season.
The former striker re-joined the club as a youth team boss in February and earned crucial league wins as well as the Berks and Bucks trophy with a 4-0 win over Ascot United.
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In bad form toward the end of the reign of former boss Mehmet Ali, the Republic of Ireland international applied for the role and was ‘delighted’ to receive the call.
Speaking on the 1871 podcast, he said: “Mem [Ali] left and went to Arsenal so the job became available, and I applied for it. I’m a Reading fan and have been from the moment I arrived so I always watched and went to the Under-23 games- I always had a keen interest in the club. The first conversation I had was with Michael Gilkes and then I had one at the time with Pauno [former manager Veljko Paunovic] and it escalated from there. I was honoured and delighted to get the call. I was over the moon.”
Despite finishing bottom of the PL2 Under-23 league there were clear signs of improvement as the side picked up the first Berks and Bucks trophy since 1994- the same day as the first team’s 1-0 defeat to Luton Town on the final day of the Championship campaign.
Youngsters, such as Rashawn Scott who made his debut at Kenilworth Road, rushed back to Arbour Park and took part in proceedings, something which Hunt feels is an obvious move in the right direction.
Rashawn Scott, who played the final 20 at Luton- is on his way to Slough for the U23s Cup final according to Paul Ince. Dedication from the lad #readingfc
— James Earnshaw (@james_e1871) May 7, 2022
“We had four come back after potentially making their first team debut because they wanted to win something, and that’s amazing,” he started.
“It means something to them. Making their first team debuts really meant something to these boys and it should do, it’s an honour to play for this football club.
“I always wanted to win, winning was my thing. The Berks and Bucks was the first Cup final I have won, I was beaten in the Cup final in Ireland, two in Scotland and the play-off final, so in my head I wanted to get the monkey off my back and win in a Cup final. I want our boys to think they can win every game and have that winning mentality.
“Every player that we have in our Under-23s has more ability in their little toe than I had in my whole body. The other things that I had are easy to get if you buy into it. Everyone dug in this season so to come out with a couple of trophies is a really proud thing in such a troubled time for us.”
Shortly after his arrival came interim manager Paul Ince, who has recently accepted the full-time role, as boss of the first team.
Similar to the Under-23s, the first team have spent the season battling at the wrong end of the Championship- but Hunt believes that things are improving under the former England captain.
He concluded: “The fundamentals have to be right. I do think we are getting them back at the club. The gaffer installed that when he came in. Where we were and where we got to at the end of the season, it was miles on. We’ve steadied the ship and got some really important results and performances so it does give you hope that we can go again next year.”
Click here to listen to the full interview.
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