Reading Under-21 boss Noel Hunt revealed he still gets goosebumps walking into the SCL Stadium, a place he called home for five years as a player.

Making 162 appearances for the Royals between 2008 and 2013, the Republic of Ireland international replaced Mehmet Ali as manager in the winter.

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Unable to prevent the team from finishing bottom of PL2 Division 2, he did lift silverware in the form of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.

Now demoted to a Category Two academy, his side have won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures in the Professional Development League.

Speaking on his return after beating Burnley 2-0, an emotional Hunt said: "I love it. I’m in work early every day and I go home late, I just love being in there. We’ve got a very special group in the Academy and in the club all round. We’re all on the same page and know where we have to be and how we’re going to do it. I love being involved, it makes me smile coming to work every day and I’m hungry to get better.

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"To come here and play is a dream, you should want to die to walk onto this pitch and play. Every time I walk onto the grass I get goosebumps, the feeling that this stadium gives me will never change so I want these players to have that. I want them to be familiar with it as hopefully two or three of our team will be in the first team soon.

"We speak about earning the right, this is a massive thing for me and the Academy- you have to earn the right to play. Nobody is giving you anything in this world- especially in football. If you’re not performing and don’t have the right attitude, you won’t be at the football club and that’s what we’re still trying to stamp in."