FORMER Reading Academy coach Geoff Warner has returned to Bracknell Town to assist Carl Davies, who was appointed player-manager on Monday after the Robins had surprisingly sacked Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty after just five months in charge.

Last season Warner worked with manager Mark Tallentire when Bracknell enjoyed their most successful ever season, finishing runners-up to Thame United and winning three cup competitions.

Tallentire left by mutual consent last September with Warner soon following.

Lamb and McGrotty were axed less than two days after Bracknell had crashed out of the FA Vase at the quarter-final stage last Saturday.

Windsor, too, made their exit, leaving Thatcham as Berkshire’s sole representatives in the last four.

Standing between them and a Wembley final are 1874 Northwich – with their semi-final being played at Waterside Park on March 17 and the away leg a week later.

  • CRICKETER Ian Slatcher has suffered a blow as he prepares to run for charity in the Paris Marathon on April 8.

He strained a ligament in his leg which left him on crutches.

“The last couple of weeks haven’t exactly gone to plan,” admitted the former Reading pace bowler.

But a friend and osteopath, Bruce Carnegie, is helping him on the road to recovery with Ian working hard in a swimming pool.

“Hopefully, I will be back on the road soon,” added Ian, who will be joined in Paris by several other Berkshire-based cricketers.

Ian is raising money for Daisy’s Dream, the Berkshire bereavement charity, and has opened a page on the Just Giving website.

Another cricketer involved in fundraising is Phil Brennan.

The Reading-based player last week took part in a 24-hour indoor net practice at the Josephine Butler College CC in Durham in aid of the McGrath Foundation that helps families in Australia experiencing breast cancer by providing invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support from the time of diagnosis.

The foundation was founded in 2005 by Jane McGrath and her husband, cricket legend Glenn, but Jane died three years later.

Phil is also collecting funds via the Just Giving scheme.