Reading FC strengthen their Irish ties with Wexford FC

In the last 20 years alone, the likes of Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and the Hunt brothers have all contributed massively to the rise of the Royals.

This continues in the present, with Irishmen Brian Carey and Noel Hunt as Head of Recruitment and Under-21s manager respectively.

Reading Academy, headed up by iconic former winger Michael Gilkes, have agreed to a partnership with Wexford.

We are pleased to announce that @WexfordFC have officially partnered with our Category One Academy 🇮🇪@RFCAcademy Manager Michael Gilkes and U21 manager Noel Hunt were joined by Wexford-born former Royals star Kevin Doyle in Ireland at the weekend to seal the partnership 🤝

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) October 23, 2023

The partnership will see members of the Reading coaching staff visit Ferrycarrig Park to share best practices with the League of Ireland side, leading sessions and sharing knowledge.

Wexford’s coaching staff will also travel to Berkshire on a regular basis as part of the link between the clubs.

There is also potential for some of our young promising Academy players to earn first-team football on loan with the Wexford senior side in the future.

 Hunt said: “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.

“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.”