CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head>  <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="1330cf01-01a6-40d0-a513-302b12256a6a"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> function OptanonWrapper() { } </script>  <title>The State Of Reading FC’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs - The Tilehurst End</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="The Tilehurst End" /> <script> if (document.cookie.indexOf('_chorus_geoip_continent=EU') > -1) { document.cookie = '_override_chorus_gdpr=1;path=/;max-age=31536000'; } </script> <meta property="article:publisher" content="http://www.facebook.com/thetilehurstend" /> <meta property="author" content="CheshireEastRoyal" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-11-18T09:15:09+00:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-11-18T09:15:09+00:00" /> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://use.typekit.net"> <meta id="chorus-fonts" data-cid="site/font_loader-1733264731_5518_57869" data-cdata='{"version":"1c5dba5203ab569c8e4b65c70e7b0c88","fonts_catalog":[{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"500","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-MediumItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"500","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Medium-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"700","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-BoldItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk","family":"Druk Text Web","weight":"700","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukText-Bold-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"500","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-MediumItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"500","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Medium-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"700","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-BoldItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"700","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Bold-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"900","style":"italic","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-SuperItalic-Web.woff"},{"slug":"sbn-druk-wide","family":"Druk Text Wide Web","weight":"900","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/sbn/druk/DrukTextWide-Super-Web.woff"},{"slug":"unison-nitti","family":"nitti-grotesk","weight":"400","style":"normal","woff2_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff2","woff_url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/shared_fonts/unison/unison_base/nittigrotesk/nittigrotesk-normal.woff"}],"font_stylesheets":["https://fonts.voxmedia.com/unison/stylesheets/sbn.0289821fe196f0ced638117948a0d46f.css"],"font_tracker_stylesheets":[],"typekit_ids":[],"headline_balance_div_classes":"","headline_balance_fraction":1.0}'> <script>var chorusInitQueue=[],volume_embed_host="https://volume.vox-cdn.com";var Chorus=Chorus||{};Chorus.windowLoaded=!1,Chorus.AddScript=function(t,e){var o=document.createElement("script");o.async=!0,o.type="text/javascript",o.src=t,"function"==typeof e&&(o.onload=e);var a=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];return a.parentNode.insertBefore(o,a),o},Chorus.ready=function(t){"loading"!=document.readyState?t():document.addEventListener?document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",t):document.attachEvent("onreadystatechange",function(){"loading"!=document.readyState&&t()})},Chorus.OnLoad=function(t){if(Chorus.windowLoaded=!0)return void t();var e=window.onload;"function"!=typeof window.onload?window.onload=t:window.onload=function(){e(),t()}},Chorus.OnLoad(function(){Chorus.windowLoaded=!0});var dataLayer=dataLayer||[];Chorus.OnLoad(function(){var t;void 0!==navigator.doNotTrack?t=navigator.doNotTrack:void 0!==window.doNotTrack?t=window.doNotTrack:void 0!==navigator.msDoNotTrack&&(t=navigator.msDoNotTrack),t=void 0!==t?/1|yes|true/.test(String(t).toLowerCase())?"true":"false":"undefined";var e={DNT:t};dataLayer.push(e)});var VoxMediaFontLoader=function(t){function e(t,e){var o=window.performance;if(o&&o.mark&&o.measure){var a=t.toLocaleLowerCase().replace(/\W+/g,"_")+(e?"_"+e:"");o.mark(a),o.measure(a+"_time","navigationStart",a)}}function o(){s.classList.add(c),e("fonts_success")}function a(){s.classList.add(c),e("fonts_fail")}function n(t){var o=[t.family,t.style,t.weight,"loaded"].join(" ");e(o)}function r(t){var e=u.font_stylesheets||[];t&&(e=e.filter(function(e){return!e.match(t)})),e.forEach(i)}function i(e){var o=t.createElement("link");o.href=e,o.rel="stylesheet",o.media="all",f.parentNode.insertBefore(o,f)}function d(e){var o,a=t,n=a.documentElement,r=setTimeout(function(){n.className=n.className.replace(/\bwf-loading\b/g,"")+" wf-inactive"},e.scriptTimeout),i=a.createElement("script"),d=!1,c=a.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];n.className+=" wf-loading",i.src="https://use.typekit.net/"+e.kitId+".js",i.async=!0,i.onload=i.onreadystatechange=function(){if(o=this.readyState,!(d||o&&"complete"!=o&&"loaded"!=o)){d=!0,clearTimeout(r);try{Typekit.load(e)}catch(t){}}},c.parentNode.insertBefore(i,c)}var c="fonts-loaded",s=t.documentElement,f=t.getElementById("chorus-fonts");if(f){var u=JSON.parse(f.getAttribute("data-cdata"));if(t.fonts){r("voxmedia.com");var l=[];u.fonts_catalog.forEach(function(e){if(e.woff2_url||e.woff_url){var o=[e.woff2_url,e.woff_url].filter(function(t){return t}).map(function(t){return"url("+t+")"}).join(", "),a=new FontFace(e.family,o,{weight:e.weight,style:e.style,display:"swap"});t.fonts.add(a),l.push(a.load())}}),l.length>0?Promise.allSettled(l).then(function(t){o(),t.filter(function(t){return"fulfilled"===t.status}).forEach(function(t){n(t.value)})})["catch"](function(){a()}):t.fonts.ready.then(o,a)}else r();u.typekit_ids.forEach(function(t){d({kitId:t,scriptTimeout:3e3,async:!0})}),u.font_tracker_stylesheets.forEach(i)}};VoxMediaFontLoader(document);</script> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.pageloadId) { window.pageloadId = (crypto.randomUUID) ? crypto.randomUUID() : ([1e7]+-1e3+-4e3+-8e3+-1e11).replace(/[018]/g, function (c) { return (c ^ crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(1))[0] & 15 >> c / 4).toString(16);} ); } try { Reflect.setPrototypeOf(document, new Proxy(Reflect.getPrototypeOf(document), { set(target, key, value, thisArg) { try { if (key === 'cookie') { if (initialDataLayer && value.startsWith('_gaexp=')) { const decoded = decodeURIComponent(value); const optimizeExperiments = [...decoded.matchAll(/([\w-]{22})\.\d{5}\.(\d{1})/g)] let ids = []; let variants = []; optimizeExperiments.forEach((exp) => { ids.push(exp[1]); variants.push(exp[2]); } ) // let's add it to both the dataLayer and the initialDataLayer initialDataLayer.experimentIds = ids; initialDataLayer.experimentVariants = variants; dataLayer.push({'experimentIds': ids}); dataLayer.push({'experimentVariants': variants}); } } } catch (e) { console.error(`Error inspecting document property '${key}' assignment: ${e}`); } finally { // always set the property via the original object return Reflect.set(...arguments); } } })); } catch (e) { console.error(`Unable to reflect and proxy document.cookie: ${e}`); } const initialDataLayer = {"Network":"sbnation","Community":"thetilehurstend.sbnation","root_domain":"sbnation.com","GA Primary ID":"UA-1367699-1","GA Secondary ID":"UA-27560043-1","GA4 Primary ID":"G-2M5GYNY1YS","GA CrossDomains":"7500toholte.sbnation.com,aseaofblue.com,acmepackingcompany.com,addictedtoquack.com,allaboutthejersey.com,allforxi.com,alligatorarmy.com,amazinavenue.com,americanninjawarriornation.com,anchorofgold.com,anddownthestretchtheycome.com,andthevalleyshook.com,anonymouseagle.com,azdesertswarm.com,arkansasfight.com,arrowheadpride.com,athleticsnation.com,azsnakepit.com,backingthepack.com,badlefthook.com,baltimorebeatdown.com,bannersontheparkway.com,barcablaugranes.com,batterypower.com,battleofcali.com,battleredblog.com,bavarianfootballworks.com,bcinterruption.com,behindthesteelcurtain.com,beyondtheboxscore.com,bigblueview.com,bigcatcountry.com,bitterandblue.sbnation.com,blackandgoldbanneret.com,blackwhitereadallover.com,blackheartgoldpants.com,blackshoediaries.com,blazersedge.com,bleedcubbieblue.com,bleedinggreennation.com,blessyouboys.com,blog.sbnation.com,bloggersodear.com,bloggingtheboys.com,bloggingthebracket.com,bluebirdbanter.com,boltsfromtheblue.com,bracethehammer.sbnation.com,brewcrewball.com,brewhoop.com,brightsideofthesun.com,bringonthecats.com,btpowerhouse.com,buckys5thquarter.com,bucsdugout.com,bucsnation.com,buffalorumblings.com,buildingthedam.com,bulletsforever.com,burntorangenation.com,cagesideseats.com,camdenchat.com,canalstreetchronicles.com,canescountry.com,canishoopus.com,cardchronicle.com,cardiachill.com,cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com,casualhoya.com,catscratchreader.com,celticsblog.com,centerlinesoccer.com,chiesaditotti.com,cincyjungle.com,clipsnation.com,collegeandmagnolia.com,cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com,cornnation.com,cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com,cougcenter.com,coveringthecorner.com,crimsonandcreammachine.com,dailynorseman.com,dawgsports.com,dawgsbynature.com,detroitbadboys.com,dirtysouthsoccer.com,draysbay.com,dukebasketballreport.com,dynamotheory.com,faketeams.com,fearthesword.com,fearthewall.com,federalbaseball.com,fieldgulls.com,fishstripes.com,fmfstateofmind.com,fosseposse.sbnation.com,frogsowar.com,fromtherumbleseat.com,futnation.com,ganggreennation.com,garnetandblackattack.com,gaslampball.com,gobblercountry.com,goldenstateofmind.com,goodbullhunting.com,halosheaven.com,hammerandrails.com,hogshaven.com,hottimeinoldtown.com,houseofsparky.com,hustlebelt.com,indomitablecitysoccer.com,insidenu.com,intothecalderon.com,landgrantholyland.com,libertyballers.com,lighthousehockey.com,lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com,lonestarball.com,lookoutlanding.com,maizenbrew.com,managingmadrid.com,mavsmoneyball.com,mccoveychronicles.com,midmajormadness.com,milehighhockey.com,milehighreport.com,minorleagueball.com,mlbdailydish.com,mmafighting.com,mmamania.com,mwcconnection.com,musiccitymiracles.com,netsdaily.com,nevermanagealone.com,ninersnation.com,offtackleempire.com,onthebanks.com,onefootdown.com,orlandopinstripedpost.com,ourdailybears.com,overthemonster.com,patspulpit.com,peachtreehoops.com,pensburgh.com,pinstripealley.com,podiumcafe.com,postingandtoasting.com,poundingtherock.com,prideofdetroit.com,purplerow.com,raptorshq.com,redcuprebellion.com,redreporter.com,revengeofthebirds.com,ridiculousupside.com,rockchalktalk.com,rockmnation.com,rockytoptalk.com,rokerreport.sbnation.com,rollbamaroll.com,royalbluemersey.sbnation.com,royalsreview.com,rumbleinthegarden.com,arizona.sbnation.com,atlanta.sbnation.com,bayarea.sbnation.com,boston.sbnation.com,chicago.sbnation.com,cleveland.sbnation.com,sbncollegehockey.com,dallas.sbnation.com,dc.sbnation.com,denver.sbnation.com,detroit.sbnation.com,houston.sbnation.com,kansascity.sbnation.com,losangeles.sbnation.com,minnesota.sbnation.com,newyork.sbnation.com,philly.sbnation.com,pittsburgh.sbnation.com,seattle.sbnation.com,stlouis.sbnation.com,tampabay.sbnation.com,sbnation.com,serpentsofmadonnina.com,shakinthesouthland.com,silverandblackpride.com,silverscreenandroll.com,slcdunk.com,sonicsrising.com,southsidesox.com,stmarysmusings.sbnation.com,stampedeblue.com,stanleycupofchowder.com,starsandstripesfc.com,stateoftheu.com,streakingthelawn.com,stridenation.com,swishappeal.com,tarheelblog.com,testudotimes.com,acmilan.theoffside.com,thebusbybabe.sbnation.com,thechampaignroom.com,crawfishboxes.com,crimsonquarry.com,thedailygopher.com,thedailystampede.com,thedreamshake.com,thefalcoholic.com,thegoodphight.com,jerseydoesntshrink.com,liverpooloffside.sbnation.com,theonlycolors.com,thephinsider.com,ralphiereport.com,theshortfuse.sbnation.com,thesirenssong.com,slipperstillfits.com,smokingmusket.com,thetilehurstend.sbnation.com,theuconnblog.com,threelionsroar.com,throughitalltogether.sbnation.com,tomahawknation.com,nunesmagician.com,truebluela.com,turfshowtimes.com,twiceacosmo.com,twinkietown.com,underdogdynasty.com,uwdawgpound.com,vanquishthefoe.com,villarrealusa.com,violanation.com,vivaelbirdos.com,vivathematadors.com,vuhoops.com,weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com,widerightnattylite.com,windycitygridiron.com","Content ID":"24062688","Story Word Count":1382,"Entry Groups":"front-page:academy-coverage:2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals","articleSection":"Front Page","Author":"CheshireEastRoyal","Last Time Updated":"2024-11-18 04:15","Hour of Update":"04","Modified Date":"2024-11-18 04:15","Publish Date":"2024-11-18 04:15","Hour of Publish":"04","simplereach_title":"The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs ","simplereach_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles","simplereach_authors":["CheshireEastRoyal"],"simplereach_channels":["thetilehurstend.sbnation.com"],"simplereach_date":"Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:15:09 -0000","Evergreen URL":"dated","commerceAffiliateDisclosure":"no value set:no value set","Live Blog":false,"Demand Post":"no","All Chorus Categories":"sbnation:thetilehurstend.sbnation:front-page:academy-coverage:2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals","Content Type":"article","chartbeat_domain":"thetilehurstend.sbnation.com","chartbeat_zone":"172968584/sbn/football-league-championship/thetilehurstend.sbnation.com","chartbeat_authors":"CheshireEastRoyal","Logged in Status":"Logged Out","auth0_id":"No Auth0 ID","enable_url_cleaning":true}; initialDataLayer.pageloadId = window.pageloadId; dataLayer = [initialDataLayer]; </script>  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-W8JKW6');</script>  <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://stats.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.permutive.com"> <script> var concertAdsQueue = concertAdsQueue || []; if (!window.pageloadId) { window.pageloadId = (crypto.randomUUID) ? crypto.randomUUID() : ([1e7]+-1e3+-4e3+-8e3+-1e11).replace(/[018]/g, function (c) { return (c ^ crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(1))[0] & 15 >> c / 4).toString(16);} ); } CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG = {"slug":"/172968584/sbn/football-league-championship/thetilehurstend.sbnation.com","dfpVariables":{"network":["sbn"],"affiliation":["football-league-championship","soccer"],"team":["reading-fc"],"unison":[true],"entry_id":[24062688],"entry_type":["article"],"entry_slug":["2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles"],"entry_author":["Tom Hill"],"entry_blurb":["The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year."],"entry_title":["The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs "],"entry_published_date":["2024-11-18T09:15:09.000+00:00"],"entry_group":["front-page","academy-coverage","2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals"],"page_type":["interior_page"],"keywords":["the","state","of","reading","fc","s","academy","transition","trials","and","triumphs","the","tilehurst","end","front-page","academy-coverage","2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals"]},"isUnison":true,"is_unison":true,"prebid":{},"slots":[],"adConfigurationUrl":"https://concertads-configs.vox-cdn.com/sbn/sbn/config.json"} CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG.pageload_id = window.pageloadId; CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG.dfpVariables.pageload_id = window.pageloadId; </script> <link href="https://www.sbnation.com/style/community/392/e3ec6eea615a554c9389e27b1d0ed01b/chorus.css" data-chorus-theme="chorus" rel="stylesheet" media="all"> <meta name="style-tools" content="https://www.sbnation.com/style/community/392/cfea5fab82d494236e7195946c3bf9d5/tools.css"> <script src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/packs/js/concert_ads-0c4d7078fca2c8aa0aa5.js" async="async" integrity="sha256-/WAyOMp8Dvbw38rHtHUnwaml+X9peRV1xtt5uvNDGe4= sha384-DIxN1kCSvZ5W82aXzbG4z9hf8AjF3NoV7dvU6S3Wzr+IuWp2dtYTlIopq1tXnUI4" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function instantiateConcertAds() { var concertAdsConfig = { cmd: window.concertAdsQueue }; for (var property in window.CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG) { concertAdsConfig[property] = window.CONCERT_ADS_CONFIG[property]; } window.concertAds = new ConcertAds(concertAdsConfig); } </script> <script src="https://ads.rubiconproject.com/prebid/7470_Vox_SBNation_Prebid_DM.js" async></script> <script src="https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/apstag.js" async></script> <script src="https://cdn.concert.io/lib/concert-ads/v2-latest/concert_ads.js" onload="instantiateConcertAds()" async></script> <script src="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" async></script> <script src="https://pub.doubleverify.com/dvtag/21236410/DV464041/pub.js" async></script> <script src="https://cdn.concert.io/lib/concert-concierge.2.8.0.min.js" async></script> <script type="text/javascript"> !(function(o, _name) { o[_name] = o[_name] || function $() { ($.q = $.q || []).push(arguments) }, o[_name].v = o[_name].v || 2; !(function(o, t, n, f, e, i) { function c(f, e) { (f = (function(t, n) { try { if (n = (t = o.localStorage).getItem("_aQS02NDc5MDgyNkVCRDVBQ0FDQzgwNzQwNDYtMjM4")) return JSON.parse(n).lgk || []; if ((t.getItem("v4ac1eiZr0") || "").split(",")[4] > 0) return [ [_name + "-engaged", "true"] ] } catch (f) {} })()) && typeof f.forEach === n && (e = o[t].pubads()) && f.forEach((function(o) { o && o[0] && e.setTargeting(o[0], o[1] || "") })) }(i = o[t] = o[t] || {}).cmd = i.cmd || [], typeof i.pubads === n ? c() : typeof i.cmd.unshift === n ? i.cmd.unshift(c) : i.cmd.push(c) })(window, "googletag", "function"); })(window, decodeURI('ad%6dir%61%6c')); !(function(t, c, i) { i = t.createElement(c), t = t.getElementsByTagName(c)[0], i.async = 1, i.src = "https://rollconnection.com/j/ca61b1a518e6b630ce7ef9ee81d1dfdf459f91.main.js", t.parentNode.insertBefore(i, t) })(document, "script"); </script> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="D385D0326A3AE144205C298DB34B4E94"> <meta name="robots" content="nocache"> <meta name="description" content="The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year." /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="549923288395304" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sAShs93Tsi5nnUL_HXBG3Vxz4wU=/0x227:2000x1274/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:height" content="630" /> <meta property="og:image:width" content="1200" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="The Tilehurst End" /> <meta property="og:title" content="The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-T9_gmye9LnJPCLNHYhE_2n2AtY=/0x250:2000x1250/fit-in/1200x600/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="TheTilehurstEnd" /> <meta name="parsely-title" content="The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs "></meta> <meta name="parsely-link" content="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles"></meta> <meta name="parsely-type" content="post"></meta> <meta name="parsely-image-url" content="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fFk0ahBOPMh8K-91OPWIbPxtnCk=/0x188:2000x1313/1600x900/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730287/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg"></meta> <meta name="parsely-pub-date" content="2024-11-18T09:15:09+00:00"></meta> <meta name="parsely-section" content="front-page"></meta> <meta name="parsely-tags" content="thetilehurstend,front-page,academy-coverage,2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals"></meta> <meta name="parsely-author" content="CheshireEastRoyal"></meta> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/favicon/392/favicon-5ef2eeba.5878.ico"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/392/touch_icon_ipad_retina_thetilehurstend.sbnation.com.minimal.5878.png" sizes="96x96"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/392/touch_icon_ipad_retina_thetilehurstend.sbnation.com.minimal.5878.png" sizes="192x192"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/392/touch_icon_ipad_retina_thetilehurstend.sbnation.com.minimal.5878.png" sizes="180x180"> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/392/touch_icon_ipad_retina_thetilehurstend.sbnation.com.minimal.5878.png"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#164890"> <meta name="theme-color" content=""> <script class="coral-script" src="https://sbnation.coral.coralproject.net/assets/js/count.js?v=1626303173" defer></script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="The Tilehurst End" href="/rss/index.xml" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles","url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles","headline":"The State Of Reading FC’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs","description":"The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year.","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","xpath":["/html/head/title","/html/head/meta[@name='description']/@content"]},"datePublished":"2024-11-18T09:15:09+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-18T09:15:09+00:00","articleBody":"All the way back in February, I visited Manchester City’s Joie Stadium to see them host Reading’s under-18s in the FA Youth Cup, probably this country’s most prestigious academy football competition. You can read my report from the game here. This was in the fifth round, before which the Royals had seen off Oxford City, Forest Green Rovers, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday. In that run is (at time of the game) a National League club, a League Two club and two Championship teams. This season however, our under-18s were knocked out in the first round of the cup by AFC Dunstable, current members of the Division One Central of the Southern League - the eighth tier of English football. On the face of it, it’s a horrible result, losing to Dunstable. But we weren’t the only bigger team to get knocked out in the first round: Rotherham United, Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic also suffered the same fate. The latter of those three is particularly known for a strong academy setup. However, the likes of those progressing into the second round included Burgess Hill Town, Hertford Town, Merstham and, worst of all, “Rising Ballers Kensington”, whatever that is. Utter woke nonsense, as they say. It’s worth noting also that the League One and League Two teams’ under-18s joined in the first round, with academies of the top two tiers entering at round three, like the senior FA Cup. What’s perhaps worse is that it seemed no-one really knew the game happened either. The only recognition of it before the match was a four-sentence long footnote in “The Week Agenda” on Reading’s website, while no mention of the result has been given at all. Last year’s round-one clash at Oxford City however, received a full, in-detail match preview and match report, as did all the succeeding rounds in which Reading competed. In fact, in order to find the last piece of under-18-related news on our website, you’d have to go all the way back to that cup game at Manchester City in February. I’m not here just to dunk on our young players and media team for not doing as well in the cup and not providing as much coverage as one might expect. Bad games happen, and if budget cuts need to be made, the first place to look is probably academy coverage. But the least a fan might expect is a little more publicity of the games and results. To be fair, it’s not all bad on the academy side. The under-21s have been covered well this season, particularly in our Premier League International Cup campaign. We have also kicked off to a decent start in it too, beating Ajax in the opening fixture, which is worth even more merit given we are the only League One team in it this year, and one of only five English non-Premier League teams in it too. This season has been our first year competing in Europe’s best academy tournament since three years of involvement on the bounce from 2016 to 2019, including a run to the semi-final in 2018/19. In the Premier League 2, we’re 16th after eight games. A definite drop-off since last season’s sixth-place finish, and eventual semi-finalists in the elimination playoffs phase. Still, far from horrendous though. In the under-18 Premier League, Reading are 12th of 13 teams in the southern group. However, we have only ever finished 10th or below since 2017 in that competition, and before that point the format of it was completely different, so we haven’t really felt a drop-off in success there. Personally though, I think the real success of the academy is in the output it provides to the first team, and it’s hard to say we’ve been anything but exemplary at that this year. Reading finished 17th in Training Ground Guru’s latest academy rankings, which take into account the number of players from our academy that went on to play in England’s top five leagues, and feature every Category 1-3 academy in the country. It’s weighted to give clubs producing players performing in the better leagues a better score. Although that’s a downgrade of four places since the 2021/22 edition of the rankings, we still finished above eight Premier League clubs. When removing the weighting, Reading came 10th, meaning we produced the most players of any EFL team. Reading were also recently named the 10th best academy in the country by OLBG’s rankings, over-performing countless clubs with no doubt far better finances and resources at hand. And the proof is on the pitch for our graduate successes, particularly under the reign of Ruben Selles. It goes without saying that many of those young players wouldn’t have been given the same opportunity if we’d been a normal club that’s allowed to make more than one summer signing, but even last season, they were trusted more than one might expect. Experienced players such as Andy Carroll, Harlee Dean, Sam Hutchinson, Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre and Nesta Guinness-Walker were shunned from the squad at various points and replaced with rather unproven counterparts, and we greatly benefitted from that spirited decision. This year, we don’t really have the luxury of having older players to cut out, and have been forced down the academy route. However, the evidence is there from last season that it would be likely to happen anyway. The following players have broken into the first-team picture this season: While these players have been around the first-team picture for a little longer and are still involved: They’re not all going to be world beaters for sure, and in 10 years’ time some may no longer be in professional football. But from what I’ve seen, they’ve all largely looked comfortable in senior football. It’s a difficult thing to fairly analyse the young players’ performances too - it seems unfair to criticise 16-year-old Garcia for a difficult first half away at Stevenage, especially since his jump straight from the under-18s to the first team. However, should we be expecting more from, say, 20-year-old Holzman, who made his Reading senior debut nearly three years ago? He seems to be coming into a bit of form recently, yet he finds himself senior to many first-teamers at Reading. We can’t really evaluate from an outsider’s perspective how effectively the younger groups of players in the academy are managed, but there has been movement in higher-ups at Bearwood. Head of academy operations Antoine Thompson left for a job with the Premier League in October. He was previously academy director at Cheltenham Town before coming to Berkshire in summer 2022. In a leaving message on LinkedIn, he wrote: “I will miss the staff sense of humour which kept spirits high and motivated us to do the best we could even through the hardship.” From that, it seems the impact of Dai Yongge’s ownership is definitely trickling down to the academy, but it remains functional and thriving. His job has since been filled by Celeste Stevens, who’s worked at Reading since 2020 in various safeguarding roles. Things are moving behind the scenes in the academy, and it’ll be interesting to see how it develops in the next few years. I doubt we have the same player pull that we once had, or as much money to support the young lads going forward. But what we still have, and have always had, is the Reading way: a culture of nurturing, trusting in and producing excellent footballers. And I think that’s one thing a new owner’s money can’t buy.","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"CheshireEastRoyal","url":"https://www.sbnation.com/users/CheshireEastRoyal"}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Tilehurst End","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13668549/google_amp.0.png","width":600,"height":60}},"articleSection":"Front Page","keywords":["Front Page","Academy Coverage","2024/25 Analysis \u0026 Opinion"],"image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sHUjN5PeqGXpirTSgE7pe5cnqYM=/1400x1400/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg","width":1400,"height":1400},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6Nl66f1J33VnmWp6Wq4jz3MiaI4=/1400x1050/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg","width":1400,"height":1050},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8w-GhEmqfrB-2fkUAAuCaoUA2VQ=/1400x788/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg","width":1400,"height":788}],"thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sHUjN5PeqGXpirTSgE7pe5cnqYM=/1400x1400/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737800/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.jpg"}] </script> <meta name="outbrainsection" content="academy-coverage"></meta> </head>   <body class="entry_key_unison_standard entry_layout_unison_main entry_template_standard" data-entry-id="24062688"> <a class="sr-only link-skip" href="#content">Skip to main content</a>  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-W8JKW6" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <svg width="0" height="0" style="position:absolute;display:none;"><symbol viewbox="90 0 689 645" id="icon-clock" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>clock</title> <path d="M489.1 322.5c0 15-5.4 27.9-16 38.6-10.7 10.7-23.6 16-38.6 16-23.7 0-40.3-10.9-49.9-32.8h-125c-6.4 0-11.6-2.1-15.7-6.1-4-4.1-6.1-9.3-6.1-15.7 0-6.4 2.1-11.6 6.1-15.7 4.1-4.1 9.4-6.1 15.8-6.1h125c5.9-13.2 15.3-22.5 28-28V125.8c0-6.4 2.1-11.6 6.1-15.7 4.1-4.1 9.3-6.1 15.7-6.1 6.4 0 11.6 2 15.7 6.1s6.1 9.3 6.1 15.7v146.8c21.9 9.5 32.9 26.1 32.8 49.9zm-54.6-306c84.2 0 156.3 29.9 216.2 89.8 59.9 59.9 89.8 131.9 89.8 216.2s-29.9 156.3-89.8 216.2c-59.9 59.9-131.9 89.8-216.2 89.8s-156.3-29.9-216.2-89.8c-59.9-59.9-89.8-131.9-89.8-216.2s29.9-156.3 89.8-216.2c59.9-59.9 132-89.8 216.2-89.8zm0 546.4c66.5 0 123.2-23.4 170.1-70.4 46.9-46.9 70.4-103.6 70.4-170.1s-23.4-123.2-70.4-170.1C557.7 105.5 501 82.1 434.5 82.1s-123.2 23.4-170.1 70.4C217.5 199.4 194 256.1 194 322.6s23.4 123.2 70.4 170.1c46.9 46.8 103.6 70.2 170.1 70.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1000 1000" id="icon-close" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M638.6 500l322.7-322.7c38.3-38.3 38.3-100.3 0-138.6S861 .4 822.7 38.7L500 361.4 177.3 38.7C139 .4 77 .4 38.7 38.7S.4 139 38.7 177.3L361.4 500 38.7 822.7C.4 861 .4 923 38.7 961.3 57.9 980.4 82.9 990 108 990s50.1-9.6 69.3-28.7L500 638.6l322.7 322.7c19.1 19.1 44.2 28.7 69.3 28.7 25.1 0 50.1-9.6 69.3-28.7 38.3-38.3 38.3-100.3 0-138.6L638.6 500z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 14 14" id="icon-close-map" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M13.074 12.27L7.698 6.958l5.376-5.312-.896-.896-5.312 5.376L1.554.75l-.896.864 5.376 5.312L.658 12.27l.896.896L6.898 7.79l5.312 5.376z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 18 17" id="icon-comment" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15.667 6.654c0 3.532-3.432 6.397-7.667 6.397-.945 0-1.85-.14-2.686-.4l-4.406 2.1 1.725-3.52c-1.42-1.16-2.3-2.78-2.3-4.56C.333 3.12 3.765.257 8 .257c4.235 0 7.667 2.863 7.667 6.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-135.7 744.2 1008.1 429.7" id="icon-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M872.3 788.5c0 12.1-5.1 25.2-18.2 35.3l-446 335c-12.1 10.1-28.3 15.2-40.4 15.2-15.2 0-28.3-5.1-40.4-15.2l-446.1-335c-18.2-15.2-22.2-40.4-10.1-60.5s40.4-22.2 58.5-10.1l439.1 330.9 435.9-331c18.2-15.2 45.4-10.1 58.5 10.1 7.2 8.1 9.2 15.1 9.2 25.3"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 50.062 37.479" id="icon-email" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.085 21.866L.082 3.114A3.114 3.114 0 0 1 3.207-.012H46.96a3.113 3.113 0 0 1 3.126 3.126l-25 18.752zm0 5.613L50.087 8.726v25.64a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125 3.125H3.208a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125-3.125V8.727L25.085 27.48z" class="afshape-1"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 21.406 43.754" id="icon-facebook" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M5.43 43.754v-20.53H0V15.83h5.43V9.518C5.43 4.558 8.635 0 16.024 0c2.99 0 5.204.286 5.204.286l-.175 6.903s-2.257-.03-4.72-.03c-2.663 0-3.09 1.23-3.09 3.26v5.4h8.022l-.35 7.39h-7.672v20.53H5.43z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 140 200" id="icon-foursquare" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M114.697 27.581l-4.278 22.294c-.511 2.41-3.545 4.945-6.358 4.945h-39.7c-4.467 0-7.664 3.045-7.664 7.508v4.86c0 4.467 3.216 7.632 7.686 7.632h33.681c3.154 0 6.25 3.459 5.568 6.826-.685 3.373-3.886 20.08-4.271 21.924-.387 1.846-2.5 5-6.25 5H65.618c-5.007 0-6.521.654-9.87 4.818-3.353 4.166-33.477 40.342-33.477 40.342-.305.35-.603.249-.603-.134V27.25c0-2.85 2.478-6.194 6.194-6.194h81.78c3.01 0 5.822 2.829 5.055 6.525m3.59 87.418c1.137-4.602 13.899-69.93 18.16-90.656M120.716 0H18.809C4.745 0 .61 10.575.61 17.235v161.916c0 7.503 4.032 10.285 6.296 11.203 2.267.919 8.519 1.692 12.266-2.632 0 0 48.111-55.826 48.938-56.652 1.25-1.25 1.25-1.25 2.5-1.25h31.127c13.08 0 15.183-9.327 16.549-14.821 1.137-4.602 13.899-69.93 18.16-90.656C139.699 8.526 135.681 0 120.716 0"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-295 387 20 20" id="icon-full-screen" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M-275 387.7c0-.2-.1-.4-.2-.5-.1-.1-.3-.2-.5-.2h-5.5c-.4 0-.7.3-.7.7 0 .4.4.8.6 1l1.4 1.4-3.9 3.9 1.9 1.9 3.9-3.9 1.4 1.4c.3.3.6.6 1 .6s.7-.3.7-.7l-.1-5.6zm-13.1 10.5l-3.9 4-1.4-1.4c-.3-.3-.6-.6-1-.6s-.6.3-.6.6v5.4c0 .2.1.4.2.5.1.1.3.2.5.2h5.4c.4 0 .6-.3.6-.6 0-.4-.4-.8-.6-.9l-1.4-1.4 4-3.9-1.8-1.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-295 387 20 20" id="icon-full-screen-exit" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M-293.2 406.9l3.9-4 1.4 1.4c.3.3.6.6 1 .6s.6-.3.6-.6v-5.4c0-.2-.1-.4-.2-.5-.1-.1-.3-.2-.5-.2h-5.4c-.4 0-.6.3-.6.6 0 .4.4.8.6.9l1.4 1.4-4 3.9 1.8 1.9zM-276.91 387.05l-3.9 4-1.4-1.4c-.3-.3-.6-.6-1-.6s-.6.3-.6.6v5.4c0 .2.1.4.2.5.1.1.3.2.5.2h5.4c.4 0 .6-.3.6-.6 0-.4-.4-.8-.6-.9l-1.4-1.4 4-3.9-1.8-1.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 39.605 39.633" id="icon-google-plus" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M12.488 37.682c-4.69 0-8.08-2.97-8.08-6.537 0-3.496 3.976-6.51 8.667-6.46a10.21 10.21 0 0 1 3.04.488c2.547 1.77 4.6 2.876 5.117 4.894.096.41.15.83.15 1.26 0 3.567-2.3 6.355-8.894 6.355m1.233-21.46c-3.14-.093-6.14-2.982-6.68-7.116-.54-4.136 1.57-7.3 4.72-7.206 3.15.094 5.84 3.486 6.39 7.62.55 4.136-1.27 6.797-4.41 6.703m6.75 6.457c-1.08-.813-3.44-2.478-3.44-3.596 0-1.31.38-1.955 2.35-3.495 2.03-1.58 3.46-3.67 3.46-6.25 0-2.82-1.15-5.37-3.31-6.61h3.06L25.2 0H13.51C7.584 0 2.644 4.37 2.644 9.18c0 4.912 3.246 8.83 8.82 8.83.388 0 .764-.02 1.133-.048-.36.694-.62 1.467-.62 2.277 0 1.36.75 2.14 1.68 3.04-.702 0-1.38.02-2.12.02C4.75 23.3 0 27.97 0 32.46c0 4.412 5.726 7.173 12.513 7.173 7.737 0 12.495-4.39 12.495-8.8 0-3.54-.764-5.32-4.536-8.15M31.52.54v5.388h-5.388v2.695h5.39v5.39h2.694v-5.39h5.39V5.928h-5.39V.538"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 105.4 105.7" class="alinline-svg" id="icon-grid" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#ccc" d="M0 0h47.7v47.7H0z" class="alshape-1"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M57.7 0h47.7v47.7H57.7z" class="alshape-2"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M0 58h47.7v47.7H0z" class="alshape-3"></path><path fill="#ccc" d="M57.7 58h47.7v47.7H57.7z" class="alshape-4"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 64.37 40.34" id="icon-hamburger" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path class="amcls-1" d="M0 30h64.37v10.34H0zm0-15h64.37v10.34H0zM0 0h64.37v10.34H0z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 671.78668 671.78668" id="icon-instagram" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g transform="matrix(.13333 0 0 -.13333 0 671.787)"><path d="M2519.21 5038.41c-684.18 0-769.97-2.9-1038.67-15.16-268.14-12.23-451.27-54.82-611.513-117.09-165.66-64.38-306.148-150.52-446.203-290.57-140.051-140.05-226.191-280.55-290.57-446.21-62.273-160.24-104.86-343.37-117.098-611.51C2.898 3289.17 0 3203.38 0 2519.2c0-684.17 2.898-769.96 15.156-1038.66 12.239-268.14 54.825-451.27 117.098-611.509 64.379-165.66 150.519-306.152 290.57-446.211 140.055-140.05 280.543-226.191 446.203-290.57C1029.27 69.98 1212.4 27.39 1480.54 15.16 1749.24 2.902 1835.03 0 2519.21 0c684.17 0 769.96 2.902 1038.66 15.16 268.14 12.23 451.27 54.82 611.51 117.09 165.66 64.379 306.15 150.52 446.21 290.57 140.05 140.059 226.19 280.551 290.57 446.211 62.27 160.239 104.86 343.369 117.09 611.509 12.26 268.7 15.16 354.49 15.16 1038.66 0 684.18-2.9 769.97-15.16 1038.67-12.23 268.14-54.82 451.27-117.09 611.51-64.38 165.66-150.52 306.16-290.57 446.21-140.06 140.05-280.55 226.19-446.21 290.57-160.24 62.27-343.37 104.86-611.51 117.09-268.7 12.26-354.49 15.16-1038.66 15.16zm0-453.91c672.65 0 752.33-2.57 1017.97-14.69 245.62-11.2 379.01-52.24 467.78-86.74 117.59-45.7 201.51-100.29 289.66-188.44 88.16-88.16 142.75-172.08 188.45-289.67 34.5-88.77 75.54-222.16 86.74-467.78 12.12-265.64 14.69-345.32 14.69-1017.98 0-672.65-2.57-752.33-14.69-1017.97-11.2-245.62-52.24-379.01-86.74-467.78-45.7-117.591-100.29-201.509-188.45-289.661-88.15-88.16-172.07-142.75-289.66-188.449-88.77-34.5-222.16-75.539-467.78-86.738-265.6-12.122-345.27-14.692-1017.97-14.692-672.71 0-752.37 2.57-1017.98 14.692-245.62 11.199-379.01 52.238-467.78 86.738-117.591 45.699-201.509 100.289-289.661 188.449-88.152 88.152-142.75 172.07-188.449 289.661-34.5 88.77-75.535 222.16-86.742 467.78-12.121 265.64-14.688 345.32-14.688 1017.97 0 672.66 2.567 752.34 14.688 1017.98 11.207 245.62 52.242 379.01 86.742 467.78 45.699 117.59 100.293 201.51 188.445 289.66 88.156 88.16 172.074 142.75 289.665 188.45 88.77 34.5 222.16 75.54 467.78 86.74 265.64 12.12 345.32 14.69 1017.98 14.69"></path><path d="M2519.21 1679.47c-463.78 0-839.74 375.96-839.74 839.73 0 463.78 375.96 839.74 839.74 839.74 463.77 0 839.73-375.96 839.73-839.74 0-463.77-375.96-839.73-839.73-839.73zm0 2133.38c-714.47 0-1293.65-579.18-1293.65-1293.65 0-714.46 579.18-1293.64 1293.65-1293.64 714.46 0 1293.64 579.18 1293.64 1293.64 0 714.47-579.18 1293.65-1293.64 1293.65M4166.27 3863.96c0-166.96-135.35-302.3-302.31-302.3-166.95 0-302.3 135.34-302.3 302.3s135.35 302.31 302.3 302.31c166.96 0 302.31-135.35 302.31-302.31"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="-27.7 455.1 337.2 791.1" id="icon-left" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="inherit" d="M274.8 1246.2c-9.5 0-19.8-4-27.7-14.3l-262.9-350c-7.9-9.5-11.9-22.2-11.9-31.7 0-11.9 4-22.2 11.9-31.7l262.9-350.1c11.9-14.3 31.7-17.4 47.5-7.9 15.8 9.5 17.4 31.7 7.9 45.9L42.8 851l259.8 342.1c11.9 14.3 7.9 35.6-7.9 45.9-6.4 5.6-11.9 7.2-19.9 7.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 18 18" id="icon-link" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g opacity=".4"><path d="M10.546 13.732l.623-.623a.957.957 0 0 0 .121-.137c.263-.273.48-.582.65-.905a4.44 4.44 0 0 0 .46-2.733 3.766 3.766 0 0 0-.158-.692 3.61 3.61 0 0 0-.244-.604 4.355 4.355 0 0 0-.877-1.245 4.35 4.35 0 0 0-1.245-.876l-1.14 1.14c-.08.08-.146.163-.204.256a2.735 2.735 0 0 1 2.07 2.07c.044.21.066.426.06.644a2.601 2.601 0 0 1-.765 1.81l-.69.689-.513.513-.485.485-1.237 1.237c-1.037 1.037-2.737 1.024-3.79-.029-1.052-1.052-1.064-2.753-.028-3.789L4.39 9.706a5.663 5.663 0 0 1-.208-2.338L1.881 9.67c-1.73 1.73-1.709 4.56.048 6.316 1.757 1.757 4.586 1.778 6.316.048l2.302-2.302z"></path><path d="M7.339 7.802a2.54 2.54 0 0 1 .1-.668c.114-.42.339-.814.665-1.14l.693-.694.51-.51.48-.48 1.242-1.241c1.036-1.036 2.736-1.024 3.789.029 1.052 1.052 1.064 2.753.029 3.789l-1.241 1.24c.233.76.302 1.556.211 2.335l2.303-2.303c1.73-1.73 1.708-4.558-.049-6.315C14.314.087 11.485.066 9.756 1.796L7.453 4.098l-.623.623a.934.934 0 0 0-.121.138 3.904 3.904 0 0 0-.645.9 4.39 4.39 0 0 0-.46 2.733c.028.244.08.472.153.696.065.206.142.41.245.604.209.452.503.87.877 1.244.373.374.791.668 1.244.878l1.14-1.141a1.38 1.38 0 0 0 .204-.256 2.68 2.68 0 0 1-1.335-.734 2.685 2.685 0 0 1-.793-1.98z"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 16 16" id="icon-linkedin" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M.2 15.876h3.394V5.222H.2v10.654zM1.997 0C.8 0 0 .836 0 1.88s.8 1.88 1.997 1.88 1.997-.836 1.997-1.88C3.794.836 2.994 0 1.997 0zm9.985 4.804c-1.798 0-2.596 1.045-2.996 1.88V5.222H5.392c.2 1.045 0 10.862 0 10.862h3.395V9.818c0-.21 0-.627.2-.836.2-.626.798-1.253 1.796-1.253 1.2 0 1.798 1.04 1.798 2.5v5.64h3.4V9.82c0-3.342-1.79-5.014-3.99-5.014z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 35.4 51" id="icon-map-marker" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M18 51.733c11.8-15.9 17.7-27.1 17.7-33.5 0-9.7-7.9-17.5-17.7-17.5S.3 8.533.3 18.233c0 6.4 5.9 17.6 17.7 33.5z"></path><circle r="8" cy="18" cx="18" fill="#fff"></circle></symbol><symbol viewbox="-375 489.5 37.2 30.3" id="icon-menu" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>menu</title> <path d="M-367 489.5h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4zm8 12.8h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4zm8 13.7h29.1v3.8H-367zm-8 0h4.4v3.8h-4.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 179 96" id="icon-more" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>more-arrow</title> <path d="M178.86 47.677L129.776 0v34.313H0v26.625h116.296v.103h13.48v34.31l49.084-47.67"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 50.062 37.479" id="icon-newsletter_signup" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M25.085 21.866L.082 3.114A3.114 3.114 0 0 1 3.207-.012H46.96a3.113 3.113 0 0 1 3.126 3.126l-25 18.752zm0 5.613L50.087 8.726v25.64a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125 3.125H3.208a3.113 3.113 0 0 1-3.125-3.125V8.727L25.085 27.48z" class="aushape-1"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 832 512" id="icon-norgie-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M15.244 98.497L379.433 495.43c20.249 22.24 53.137 22.23 73.373-.021.51-.608.71-1.47 1.25-2.077L817.152 98.259c20.233-22.224 20.223-58.326-.028-80.54-.202-.1-.531-.202-.735-.404C807.065 6.732 793.993-.005 779.353 0L52.923.208C38.073.212 24.903 7.286 15.43 18.18l-.2-.227c-20.314 22.325-20.304 58.33.023 80.543h-.008z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 512 832.328" id="icon-norgie-right" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M98.278 817.088l397.038-364.076c22.245-20.243 22.245-53.13 0-73.373-.608-.51-1.47-.71-2.077-1.25L98.27 15.18c-22.218-20.24-58.32-20.24-80.54.005-.1.202-.202.53-.404.734C6.74 25.24 0 38.31 0 52.95v726.43c0 14.85 7.07 28.022 17.963 37.5l-.228.2c22.32 20.32 58.324 20.32 80.543 0z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 47.3 34.3" id="icon-opentable" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M30.1 0C20.7 0 13 7.7 13 17.2s7.7 17.2 17.2 17.2 17.2-7.7 17.2-17.2C47.3 7.7 39.6 0 30.1 0zm0 21.5c-2.4 0-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3s1.9-4.3 4.3-4.3 4.3 1.9 4.3 4.3c0 2.3-1.9 4.3-4.3 4.3zM0 17.2c0 2.4 1.9 4.3 4.3 4.3s4.3-1.9 4.3-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3-4.3S0 14.8 0 17.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 12 12" id="icon-pencil" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1.3 8.4c0 .1 0 .1 0 0L0 11.6c0 .1 0 .2.1.3 0 .1.1.1.1.1h.1l3.1-1.2s.1 0 .1-.1l6.2-6.2-2.2-2.3-6.2 6.2zm10.5-7L10.6.2c-.3-.3-.8-.3-1.1 0L8.2 1.5l2.2 2.2 1.3-1.3c.4-.2.4-.7.1-1z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 60.7 93.3" id="icon-pin" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M57.2 34.6c0 4.8-1.3 9.3-3.5 13.2L31.8 87.5c-.3.5-.9.8-1.5.8-.7 0-1.2-.4-1.5-.8L6.9 47.7c-2.2-3.8-3.5-8.4-3.5-13.2 0-14.8 12-26.9 26.9-26.9 14.9.1 26.9 12.1 26.9 27zm-16.8 0c0-5.6-4.5-10.1-10.1-10.1S20.2 29 20.2 34.6s4.5 10.1 10.1 10.1 10.1-4.5 10.1-10.1z" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-285 377 40 40" id="icon-pinterest" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M-265 377.1c-10.9 0-19.7 8.9-19.7 19.8 0 8.1 4.9 15 11.8 18.1-.1-1.4 0-3 .3-4.5.4-1.6 2.5-10.8 2.5-10.8s-.6-1.3-.6-3.1c0-2.9 1.7-5.1 3.8-5.1 1.8 0 2.7 1.3 2.7 3 0 1.8-1.2 4.5-1.7 7-.5 2.1 1 3.8 3.1 3.8 3.7 0 6.3-4.8 6.3-10.5 0-4.3-2.9-7.6-8.2-7.6-6 0-9.7 4.5-9.7 9.5 0 1.7.5 2.9 1.3 3.9.4.4.4.6.3 1.1l-.4 1.6c-.1.5-.5.7-1 .5-2.8-1.1-4-4.1-4-7.5 0-5.6 4.7-12.3 14.1-12.3 7.5 0 12.5 5.5 12.5 11.3 0 7.7-4.3 13.5-10.7 13.5-2.1 0-4.1-1.2-4.8-2.5 0 0-1.1 4.5-1.4 5.4-.4 1.5-1.2 3-2 4.2 1.8.5 3.7.8 5.6.8 10.9 0 19.7-8.8 19.7-19.7 0-11-8.9-19.9-19.8-19.9z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-230 372 50 50" id="icon-play" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="#999" d="M-214 376l25.6 21.1L-214 418v-42z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 17 17" id="icon-rec" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M7.544.405l2.305 4.64 5.15.743L11.27 9.4l.88 5.1-4.61-2.407-4.6 2.407.88-5.1L.087 5.79l5.153-.744L7.545.404z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 450 386" id="icon-refresh" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M352.629 288.14l96-111.9h-64.7c-2.3-27.9-10.5-54-23.5-77.3-27.4-49.2-75.8-85.1-133-95.6-.7-.1-1.5-.3-2.2-.4-.5-.1-.9-.2-1.4-.2-10.1-1.7-20.6-2.6-31.2-2.6h-.4c-90.9.2-167 63.6-186.7 148.6v.1c-.3 1.1-.5 2.2-.7 3.3-.1.5-.2.9-.3 1.4-.1.7-.3 1.4-.4 2.1-.2.9-.3 1.7-.5 2.6-.1.4-.1.7-.2 1.1l-.6 3.6v.2c-1 6.3-1.6 12.7-1.9 19.1v.8c-.1 1.4-.1 2.7-.2 4.1 0 1.6-.1 3.3-.1 5 0 1.7 0 3.3.1 5 0 1.4.1 2.7.2 4.1v.9c.3 6.5 1 12.9 1.9 19.1v.2l.6 3.6c.1.4.1.7.2 1.1.2.9.3 1.8.5 2.6.1.7.3 1.4.4 2.1.1.5.2 1 .3 1.4.2 1.1.5 2.2.7 3.2v.1c19.7 85 96.1 148.4 187.1 148.6 42.9-.1 83.1-14.2 116.9-40.7l7.5-5.9-43.2-46.2-6.2 4.6c-22.1 16.3-47.5 24.2-75 24.2-70.6 0-128-57-128-128s57.4-128 128-128c66.4 0 122.8 46.6 129.5 112h-73.5l104 112z" xmlns:bx="https://boxy-svg.com" bx:origin="0.5 0.5"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-27.7 455.1 337.2 791.1" id="icon-right" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="inherit" d="M6.9 455.1c9.5 0 19.8 4 27.7 14.3l262.9 350.1c7.9 9.5 11.9 22.2 11.9 31.7 0 11.9-4 22.2-11.9 31.7l-262.8 350c-11.9 14.3-31.7 17.4-47.5 7.9-15.8-9.5-17.4-31.7-7.9-45.9L239 850.3-20.8 508.2c-11.9-14.3-7.9-35.6 7.9-45.9 6.4-5.6 11.9-7.2 19.8-7.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1000 1000" preserveaspectratio="xMinYMin meet" id="icon-rss" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M0 866q0-55 39-94t94-39 94 39 39 94q0 56-39 94.5T133 999t-94-39-39-94zm0-335V340q179 0 331 88.5T571.5 669t88.5 331H468q0-194-137-331Q193 531 0 531zm0-339V0q203 0 388 79.5T707 293t213.5 319 79.5 388H808q0-164-64-314T571.5 428t-258-172T0 192z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="373.3 133.3 533.3 533.3" id="icon-search" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M754.7 468.7l-22.3-22.3c24.3-33.3 37.5-73.4 37.7-114.7 0-109.5-88.8-198.3-198.3-198.3s-198.3 88.8-198.3 198.3S462.1 530 571.7 530c41.2-.2 81.3-13.4 114.7-37.7l22.3 22.3 152.7 152 45.3-45.3-152-152.6zm-183 0c-75.8 0-137.3-61.5-137.3-137.3S495.8 194 571.7 194 709 255.5 709 331.3c.2 75.7-61 137.1-136.7 137.3-.2.1-.4.1-.6.1z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="206 29.9 642.1 681.3" id="icon-settings" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M843 467.2c4.8 3.2 6.3 9.5 4 15-13.5 41.2-36.4 79.2-64.2 111.7-4 4.8-9.5 6.3-15 4l-81.6-28.5c-20.6 16.6-43.6 30.1-67.3 39.6l-16.6 84.7c-.8 5.5-5.5 10.3-11.1 11.1-21.4 4-42.8 6.3-64.2 6.3-22.2 0-43.6-2.4-64.2-6.3-5.5-.8-10.3-5.5-11.1-11.1L435.2 609c-24.6-9.5-48.3-23-67.3-39.6l-81.6 28.5c-5.5 2.4-11.1.8-15-4-28.5-32.5-51.5-70.5-64.2-111.7-2.4-5.5-.8-11.9 4-15l64.9-57c-2.4-12.7-3.2-26.1-3.2-39.6s.8-26.9 3.2-39.6l-65-57c-4.8-3.2-6.3-9.5-4-15 13.5-41.2 36.4-79.2 64.2-111.7 4-4.8 9.5-6.3 15-4l81.6 28.5c19.8-16.6 43.6-30.1 67.3-39.6l16.6-84.7c.8-5.5 5.5-10.3 11.1-11.1 42.8-8.7 86.3-8.7 129.1 0 5.5.8 10.3 5.5 11.1 11.1l15 85.5c24.6 9.5 47.5 23 67.3 39.6l81.6-28.5c5.5-2.4 11.1-.8 15 4 28.5 32.5 51.5 70.5 64.2 111.7 2.4 5.5.8 11.9-4 15l-65.7 57c2.4 12.7 3.2 26.1 3.2 39.6s-.8 26.9-3.2 39.6l66.6 56.2zm-190-95.8c0-69.7-57.8-127.5-127.5-127.5-70.5 0-127.5 57-127.5 127.5s57 127.5 127.5 127.5S653 441.9 653 371.4z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 16 16" id="icon-snapchat" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M8.155.48c.662 0 2.903.185 3.96 2.552.354.797.27 2.15.2 3.237l-.002.04c-.008.12-.015.23-.02.34.05.03.135.06.268.06.2-.01.44-.08.69-.2.11-.06.23-.07.31-.07.12 0 .24.02.34.06.3.1.49.32.49.56.01.3-.26.56-.81.78-.06.02-.14.05-.23.08-.3.09-.76.24-.89.54-.06.15-.04.35.08.58l.01.01c.04.09 1.02 2.32 3.2 2.68.17.03.29.18.28.34 0 .05-.01.1-.03.15-.16.38-.85.66-2.1.85-.04.06-.08.25-.11.38-.02.12-.05.24-.09.37-.05.18-.18.27-.37.27h-.02c-.09 0-.21-.02-.36-.05-.24-.05-.51-.09-.85-.09-.2 0-.4.01-.61.05-.4.07-.75.31-1.15.59-.57.4-1.22.86-2.2.86-.04 0-.08-.01-.12-.01h-.1c-.98 0-1.62-.45-2.19-.86-.4-.28-.74-.52-1.14-.59-.21-.03-.42-.05-.62-.05-.36 0-.64.06-.85.1-.14.03-.26.05-.36.05-.25 0-.35-.15-.39-.28-.04-.13-.06-.26-.09-.38s-.07-.33-.11-.38C.89 12.9.2 12.62.04 12.23a.413.413 0 0 1-.036-.15.332.332 0 0 1 .28-.34c2.18-.36 3.16-2.59 3.2-2.684l.01-.02c.12-.23.15-.43.08-.58-.13-.29-.59-.44-.89-.54-.08-.02-.16-.05-.23-.08-.74-.29-.84-.62-.8-.85.06-.32.45-.53.78-.53.097 0 .18.02.256.05.28.13.527.2.737.2a.63.63 0 0 0 .31-.07l-.03-.38c-.065-1.086-.15-2.438.205-3.23C4.94.67 7.175.49 7.835.49l.28-.01h.04z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 17 17" id="icon-star" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M7.544.405l2.305 4.64 5.15.743L11.27 9.4l.88 5.1-4.61-2.407-4.6 2.407.88-5.1L.087 5.79l5.153-.744L7.545.404z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="19.3 54.3 26.9 33.7" id="icon-thumb-down" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>no</title> <path d="M19.3 84.4c0-4.8 0-9.4.1-14 0-.4 1-1 1.6-1.2 4.2-1.1 7.7-3.2 9.6-7.3.7-1.6.9-3.4 1.5-5 .4-.9 1.2-1.7 1.8-2.5.7.8 2 1.6 2.1 2.5.2 2.2 0 4.5-.2 6.8-.1.9-.4 1.8-.6 3h5.1c1.2 0 2.4 0 3.5.2 1.9.3 2.4 1.3 2.2 3.2-.1 1.2.1 2.4.1 3.6 0 1 0 1.9-.1 2.9-.1 1.1 0 2.2-.3 3.1-1 2.6-2.1 5.2-3.4 7.6-.3.6-1.8.7-2.7.7-2.4.1-4.8.2-7.2 0-1.4-.1-2.9-.5-4-1.3-2.2-1.7-4.4-2.3-7.1-2.1-.6-.1-1.2-.2-2-.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="19.3 54.3 26.9 33.7" id="icon-thumb-up" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>yes</title> <path d="M19.3 84.4c0-4.8 0-9.4.1-14 0-.4 1-1 1.6-1.2 4.2-1.1 7.7-3.2 9.6-7.3.7-1.6.9-3.4 1.5-5 .4-.9 1.2-1.7 1.8-2.5.7.8 2 1.6 2.1 2.5.2 2.2 0 4.5-.2 6.8-.1.9-.4 1.8-.6 3h5.1c1.2 0 2.4 0 3.5.2 1.9.3 2.4 1.3 2.2 3.2-.1 1.2.1 2.4.1 3.6 0 1 0 1.9-.1 2.9-.1 1.1 0 2.2-.3 3.1-1 2.6-2.1 5.2-3.4 7.6-.3.6-1.8.7-2.7.7-2.4.1-4.8.2-7.2 0-1.4-.1-2.9-.5-4-1.3-2.2-1.7-4.4-2.3-7.1-2.1-.6-.1-1.2-.2-2-.2z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 60.7 93.3" id="icon-topics" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M2.5 21.5h55.2v11.8H2.5zM2.5 42.1h55.2v11.8H2.5zM2.5 64.3h55.2v11.8H2.5z"></path></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 87 60" id="icon-trending" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1.906 46.826c2.213 1.787 5.466 1.46 7.262-.743v-.006l5.26-6.45 8.378 11.286a5.171 5.171 0 0 0 4.827 2.035 5.128 5.128 0 0 0 4.124-3.215l7.96-20.208L51.26 56.577a5.155 5.155 0 0 0 4.754 3.13c.097 0 .19 0 .286-.007a5.172 5.172 0 0 0 4.66-3.667l10.98-36.787 4.854 9.902c1.234 2.552 4.33 3.613 6.89 2.37 2.56-1.234 3.636-4.314 2.386-6.86L75.42 2.888a5.15 5.15 0 0 0-5.067-2.87 5.135 5.135 0 0 0-4.52 3.653L55.146 39.42 44.28 13.93a5.142 5.142 0 0 0-4.827-3.127 5.157 5.157 0 0 0-4.73 3.263L25.56 37.343l-6.79-9.148a5.197 5.197 0 0 0-4.033-2.08 5.139 5.139 0 0 0-4.124 1.897L1.153 39.6a5.125 5.125 0 0 0 .753 7.226" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 23.62 41.098" id="icon-tumblr" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M21.643 32.826c-.764.364-2.226.682-3.316.71-3.29.088-3.927-2.31-3.955-4.052V16.69h8.252v-6.22h-8.222V0h-6.02c-.1 0-.272.087-.296.307C7.734 3.512 6.234 9.135 0 11.382v5.31h4.16V30.12c0 4.595 3.39 11.126 12.343 10.974 3.02-.053 6.375-1.318 7.117-2.408l-1.977-5.86z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 44.71 36.327" id="icon-twitter" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M44.71 4.295c-1.656.724-3.415 1.242-5.278 1.45A9.146 9.146 0 0 0 43.468.673a18.75 18.75 0 0 1-5.796 2.225C35.965 1.138 33.584 0 30.945 0a9.145 9.145 0 0 0-9.16 9.16c0 .724.052 1.448.208 2.12-7.607-.413-14.335-3.88-18.888-9.417-.777 1.345-1.242 2.742-1.242 4.45 0 3.157 1.604 5.95 4.088 7.607a9.376 9.376 0 0 1-4.14-1.138v.103c0 4.45 3.16 8.176 7.35 9.004-.77.2-1.6.31-2.43.31-.57 0-1.14-.06-1.71-.16 1.14 3.62 4.56 6.31 8.54 6.36-3.1 2.48-7.09 4.34-11.38 4.34-.72 0-1.45-.05-2.17-.16 4.04 2.59 8.9 3.72 14.08 3.72 16.87 0 26.08-13.97 26.08-26.08V9.05c1.76-1.294 3.32-2.9 4.56-4.76"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="-235.8 423.2 35.7 21.3" id="icon-up" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill="none" d="M-200.5 444.2L-218 424l-17.5 20.2"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="373.3 133.3 533.3 533.3" id="icon-user" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M640 400c73.6 0 133.3-59.7 133.3-133.3S713.6 133.3 640 133.3 506.7 193 506.7 266.7 566.4 400 640 400zm0 66.7c-89 0-266.7 44.7-266.7 133.3v66.7h533.3V600c.1-88.7-177.6-133.3-266.6-133.3z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 1146 1000" id="icon-vimeo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M0 272q55-65 110-116t95.5-77.5 72.5-43T326 14l17-4q12-2 24-2 19 0 35 6 26 10 42.5 34.5t29 55 21.5 72 15 77.5 13.5 79.5T538 403q32 125 51.5 177.5T631 633q24 0 66.5-55.5T791 426q26-48 26-91 0-13-2-23-9-52-51-65-11-4-24-4-35 0-83 26 22-130 134-209Q876 0 965 0q12 0 24 1 102 8 139 90 18 38 18 88 0 29-6 61-18 102-69.5 208t-113 187.5-132.5 155-123.5 117T611 976q-42 24-78.5 24T463 979t-56-48-38-57q-18-38-97.5-298.5T175 295q-1-2-4-4t-13.5-4.5-24 0-36.5 14T47 333z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 86.965 87.642" id="icon-whatsapp" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M44.038 13.007c-16.58 0-30.02 13.44-30.02 30.02a29.883 29.883 0 0 0 4.307 15.503l-5.418 16.106 16.62-5.32a29.915 29.915 0 0 0 14.512 3.733c16.58 0 30.02-13.45 30.02-30.03C74.06 26.44 60.61 13 44.03 13zm0 55.013a24.85 24.85 0 0 1-13.75-4.132l-9.604 3.074 3.122-9.28a24.858 24.858 0 0 1-4.76-14.653c0-13.79 11.212-25 24.993-25 13.78 0 24.99 11.21 24.99 24.99 0 13.78-11.22 24.99-25 24.99zm14.075-18.17c-.753-.412-4.45-2.407-5.143-2.69-.693-.28-1.2-.427-1.74.32s-2.072 2.418-2.538 2.913c-.467.495-.916.54-1.668.128-.752-.41-3.19-1.31-6.02-4.03-2.202-2.11-3.646-4.68-4.065-5.46-.42-.78-.01-1.18.39-1.55.35-.33.8-.86 1.2-1.3.4-.43.54-.74.81-1.25.27-.5.16-.95-.02-1.34s-1.57-4.22-2.15-5.77c-.58-1.56-1.23-1.32-1.68-1.34-.45-.01-.96-.1-1.47-.12-.51-.02-1.35.14-2.08.89-.73.74-2.78 2.52-2.92 6.29-.14 3.77 2.47 7.52 2.83 8.04.36.53 4.98 8.7 12.66 12.06 7.67 3.36 7.71 2.34 9.12 2.26 1.41-.07 4.6-1.68 5.31-3.45.7-1.76.76-3.3.58-3.62-.18-.32-.68-.54-1.43-.95z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="130.35156 177.43359 300 300" overflow="visible" id="icon-yahoo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M420.926 272.27c-5.2.514-26.85 5.365-34.13 6.925-7.79 2.073-78.983 57.075-83.66 70.58-1.036 4.674-1.556 11.866-1.556 18.624l-.52 10.91c-.002 7.79 2.162 20.35 3.198 27.1 4.68 1.04 38.555.13 44.79 1.17l-.768 13.97c-6.09-.45-49.106-.34-73.68-.34-12.475 0-52.576 1.37-64.897 1l2.33-13.29c6.755-.53 34.728 1.2 40.878-5.29 3.06-3.22 2.09-6.67 2.09-25.38v-8.83c0-4.16 0-11.96-1.04-19.24-2.59-7.8-65.3-86.09-81.41-98.56-4.68-1.56-33.99-4.49-41.26-6.05l-.36-11.97c3.63-1.82 36.22.44 67.85-.73 20.79-.77 68.22 0 74.07.7l-1.5 10.55c-6.23 1.56-36.26 2.14-44.06 4.21 20.27 30.14 52.31 68.94 62.71 84.01 5.72-8.31 55.96-42.87 57.51-54.82-7.79-1.57-33.6-5.28-37.76-5.28l-2.47-13.61c7.08-1.11 44.28 0 62.78 0 15.96 0 50.07 0 59.76.79l-8.86 12.81"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 462 325" id="icon-youtube" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M234.28 1.691c-53.492 0-132.53 3.24-156.188 4.031C52.396 8.02 42.884 9.366 28.811 21.41 7.368 40.48 2.28 77.954 2.28 135.285v54.562c0 65.439 8.69 98.684 23 110.844 16.517 14.17 27.407 15.302 38.406 17 4.27.646 34.49 6 168.594 6 83.626 0 155.507-3.95 162.937-4.906 11.945-1.508 29.104-3.696 42.063-18.094 19.183-21.803 23-57.999 23-110.437V126.69c0-33.943-1.891-81.916-23-102-15.991-13.536-21.848-17.367-54.938-19.031-9.358-.462-91.02-3.969-148.062-3.969zm-49.5 97l123.5 63.75-123.5 64.25v-128z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 155 277" id="icon-mobile" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>mobile</title> <g id="Page-1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g id="mobile" fill="#304148"><path d="M140 0H14.737C6.597 0 0 6.595 0 14.733V261.58c0 8.137 6.598 14.736 14.737 14.736H140c8.138 0 14.737-6.6 14.737-14.737V14.73C154.737 6.595 148.137 0 140 0zM77.368 14.733a7.372 7.372 0 0 1 0 14.742A7.37 7.37 0 0 1 70 22.105a7.37 7.37 0 0 1 7.368-7.372zm-11.056 231.49h22.105v14.737H66.312v-14.737zM22.105 44.21h110.527v187.895H22.105V44.21z"></path></g></g></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 20 20" id="icon-phone" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M8.08989 4.94032C8.52492 5.31261 8.52492 5.99582 8.08989 6.43028L6.90852 7.67232C7.71631 9.47239 9.51945 11.2733 11.3218 12.1422L12.5655 10.9002C13.0005 10.4657 13.6846 10.4657 14.1196 10.9002L15.6737 12.4523C16.1088 12.8868 16.1088 13.57 15.6737 14.0045L14.1196 15.5566C11.384 18.2887 0.754248 7.61001 3.42748 4.9402L4.98162 3.32586C5.41665 2.89138 6.10071 2.89138 6.53575 3.32586L8.08989 4.94032Z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 20 20" id="icon-world" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M9.32249 3.02754C8.31491 3.17207 7.60562 3.37708 6.90982 3.72493C4.93764 4.71072 3.6026 6.43771 3.12982 8.61461C2.98016 9.30383 2.98016 10.6963 3.12982 11.3855C3.7475 14.2296 5.89244 16.3337 8.73916 16.8879C9.39851 17.0163 10.7361 17.006 11.3846 16.8676C12.9114 16.5417 14.2208 15.7811 15.239 14.6284C16.0403 13.7214 16.5987 12.5923 16.8677 11.3349C17.0154 10.6447 17.0144 9.34121 16.8656 8.64672C16.407 6.5064 15.1006 4.7698 13.2192 3.79964C12.2017 3.27497 11.3346 3.05363 10.1858 3.0253C9.78799 3.0155 9.39949 3.01648 9.32249 3.02754ZM10.2877 4.87839C10.4316 5.11578 10.6386 5.48855 10.7476 5.70672C10.9584 6.12891 11.3058 7.01502 11.3058 7.13071C11.3058 7.19044 11.1236 7.20005 9.99412 7.20005H8.68237L8.71447 7.07172C8.77533 6.82849 9.07787 6.05597 9.23989 5.73005C9.44369 5.32013 9.95917 4.44672 9.99734 4.44672C10.013 4.44672 10.1437 4.641 10.2877 4.87839ZM7.85609 5.3836C7.70563 5.72931 7.50697 6.25081 7.41457 6.54247C7.32222 6.83419 7.22291 7.10145 7.19388 7.13645C7.15235 7.18643 6.93246 7.20005 6.1668 7.20005C5.63092 7.20005 5.19249 7.18255 5.19249 7.16113C5.19249 7.10443 5.54459 6.61042 5.79402 6.31712C6.07967 5.98135 6.62978 5.51501 7.04768 5.25452C7.35316 5.06412 8.08755 4.71291 8.11756 4.74292C8.12423 4.74954 8.00654 5.03785 7.85609 5.3836ZM12.4978 4.9846C12.9646 5.21905 13.5479 5.67209 14.0365 6.17969C14.3959 6.55307 14.8058 7.08231 14.8058 7.17294C14.8058 7.18787 14.3674 7.20005 13.8315 7.20005C13.1083 7.20005 12.8451 7.18503 12.8102 7.14172C12.7844 7.10966 12.668 6.79727 12.5516 6.44755C12.4353 6.09783 12.2334 5.58548 12.1029 5.30898C11.9726 5.03248 11.8658 4.79626 11.8658 4.78403C11.8658 4.72864 12.1984 4.8342 12.4978 4.9846ZM6.89582 10V11.4H5.76985C4.92546 11.4 4.63207 11.3854 4.5966 11.3417C4.36943 11.0617 4.37032 8.94529 4.59768 8.65838C4.6324 8.61461 4.92486 8.60005 5.76985 8.60005H6.89582V10ZM11.6646 8.82172C11.6855 8.94361 11.7025 9.47388 11.7025 10C11.7025 10.5262 11.6855 11.0564 11.6646 11.1784L11.6268 11.4H9.99916H8.37157L8.33367 11.1784C8.31286 11.0564 8.29583 10.5262 8.29583 10C8.29583 9.47388 8.31286 8.94361 8.33367 8.82172L8.37157 8.60005H9.99916H11.6268L11.6646 8.82172ZM15.3998 8.65838C15.4705 8.74915 15.5517 9.23056 15.5827 9.74338C15.6124 10.2339 15.5015 11.2228 15.4036 11.3408C15.3662 11.3858 15.0785 11.4 14.2107 11.4H13.0671L13.0987 11.0376C13.1161 10.8382 13.1304 10.3713 13.1304 10C13.1304 9.62877 13.1161 9.16187 13.0987 8.96251L13.0671 8.60005H14.2107C15.0703 8.60005 15.3657 8.61452 15.3998 8.65838ZM7.21918 12.8734C7.2595 12.9137 7.29352 12.9925 7.29473 13.0484C7.29599 13.1043 7.48303 13.612 7.71039 14.1767C7.98848 14.8673 8.10468 15.2079 8.06534 15.2171C7.94391 15.2456 7.45494 15.0197 7.04674 14.7467C6.53052 14.4014 5.72668 13.638 5.41929 13.2011C5.29455 13.0238 5.19249 12.861 5.19249 12.8394C5.19249 12.8177 5.632 12.8 6.16918 12.8C6.9948 12.8 7.15716 12.8114 7.21918 12.8734ZM11.3058 12.843C11.3058 12.9378 11.0031 13.7362 10.8117 14.1461C10.5957 14.6088 10.0503 15.5534 9.99916 15.5534C9.94806 15.5534 9.40262 14.6088 9.18665 14.1461C8.99522 13.7362 8.69249 12.9378 8.69249 12.843C8.69249 12.8179 9.23457 12.8 9.99916 12.8C10.7637 12.8 11.3058 12.8179 11.3058 12.843ZM14.8058 12.8384C14.8058 12.9057 14.4188 13.4353 14.1354 13.7558C13.6561 14.298 12.7783 14.9136 12.1108 15.1758C11.9761 15.2287 11.8658 15.2644 11.8658 15.255C11.8658 15.2457 11.9175 15.1251 11.9807 14.9871C12.0682 14.796 12.5032 13.6312 12.7756 12.8584C12.7913 12.8141 13.0393 12.8 13.801 12.8C14.3537 12.8 14.8058 12.8173 14.8058 12.8384Z"></path></symbol><symbol viewbox="0 0 14 14" id="icon-link-out" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M6.8999 0.400024H10.8999V4.40002H9.8999V2.10713L4.8999 7.10713L4.1928 6.40002L9.1928 1.40002H6.8999V0.400024ZM2.3999 2.90002C2.12604 2.90002 1.8999 3.12617 1.8999 3.40002V8.90002C1.8999 9.03263 1.95258 9.15981 2.04635 9.25358C2.14012 9.34735 2.26729 9.40002 2.3999 9.40002H7.8999C8.03251 9.40002 8.15969 9.34735 8.25346 9.25358C8.34722 9.15981 8.3999 9.03263 8.3999 8.90002V5.90002H9.3999V8.90002C9.3999 9.29785 9.24187 9.67938 8.96056 9.96068C8.67926 10.242 8.29773 10.4 7.8999 10.4H2.3999C2.00208 10.4 1.62055 10.242 1.33924 9.96068C1.05794 9.67938 0.899902 9.29785 0.899902 8.90002V3.40002C0.899902 2.57388 1.57376 1.90002 2.3999 1.90002H5.3999V2.90002H2.3999Z"></path></symbol></svg> <div class="l-root l-reskin"> <div class="l-header"> <div class="chorus-emc__content" data-emc-slug="UnisonCustomNavCell" data-emc-bucket="392::"> <header class="c-global-header " data-cid="site/global_header-1733271378_3394_203222" role="banner" data-analytics-placement="navigation" data-cdata='{"nav_items_limit":0}'> <div class="l-wrapper"> <div class="c-global-header__logo "> <a href="/" id="chorus-brand" data-analytics-link="home"> <span class="sr-only">The Tilehurst End homepage</span> <span class="c-global-header__logo-large" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/392/large_The_Tilehurst_End_Full.25867.png" class=""> </span> <span class="c-global-header__logo-small c-global-header__logo-lockup"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/392/large_The_Tilehurst_End_Full.25867.png" class=""> <span class="c-global-header__logo-network "> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-global-header__logo-community"> The Tilehurst End </span> </span> </span> </a> <span class="c-global-header__topic">Reading FC News</span> </div> <h2 class="sr-only" id="global-header__social--label">Follow The Tilehurst End online:</h2> <ul class="c-global-header__social" aria-labelledby="global-header__social--label"> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/TheTilehurstEnd" class="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon"><title>Follow The Tilehurst End on Twitter</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thetilehurstend" class="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon"><title>Follow The Tilehurst End on Facebook</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> </a></li> </ul> <div class="c-global-header__actions"> <div class="c-global-header__login logged_out_menu"> <a class="c-global-header__login-icon" href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/login?community_id=392&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F" data-return-to data-ui="icon"><svg role="img" class="c-global-header__login-svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-user"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Log in or sign up</span> </a> <ul class="c-global-header__login-menu" data-ui="menu"> <li class="c-global-header__login-menu-item logged_out_item"> <a href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/login?community_id=392&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F" data-return-to data-analytics-link="login">Log In</a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__login-menu-item logged_out_item"> <a href="https://auth.voxmedia.com/signup?community_id=392&return_to=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F" data-return-to data-analytics-link="signup">Sign Up</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="c-global-header__search" aria-labelledby="global-header__search--label"> <h2 class="sr-only" id="global-header__search--label">Site search</h2> <button type="submit" class="c-global-header__search-trigger"> <span class="sr-only">Search</span> <svg role="img" class="c-global-header__login-svg" aria-hidden="true"><title>Search</title> <use xlink:href="#icon-search"></use></svg> </button> </div> </div> <nav class="c-global-header__links" aria-labelledby="global-header__links--label"> <h2 id="global-header__links--label" class="sr-only">The Tilehurst End main menu</h2> <ul> <li class="c-global-header__link " data-nav-item-id="podcast"> <a href="/the-tilehurst-end-podcast"> Podcast </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="sections" data-nav-list-trigger="sections"> <a href="/sections"> Sections <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="library" data-nav-list-trigger="library"> <a class="c-global-header__label"> Library <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link is-pinned" data-nav-item-id="shop"> <a href="http://www.fanatics.com/Soccer/partnerid/14104"> Shop </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="about"> <a href="/masthead"> About </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="masthead"> <a href="/masthead"> Masthead </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link hidden" data-nav-item-id="community-guidelines"> <a href="/community-guidelines"> Community Guidelines </a> </li> <li class="c-global-header__link-more " data-nav-list-trigger="more"> <a class="c-global-header__label"> More <span class="c-global-header__link-arrow"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> <span class="c-global-header__link-hamburger"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-hamburger"></use></svg></span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="c-global-header__primary-community "> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/blogs"> All 300 communities <span class="c-global-header__primary-community-tag">on</span> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="p-input-header c-global-header__search-menu" data-analytics-class="search"> <form action="/search" method="GET" id="global_search_form" data-analytics-class="search"> <input class="p-input-header__input" name="q" placeholder="Search"> <input type="submit" class="p-input-header__link p-button" value="Search"> </form> </div> <div class="chorus-ad-placement chorus-ad-placement__site_sponsorship_logo"> <div class="site_sponsorship_logo "></div> <div class="site_sponsorship_logo_mobile "></div> </div> </div> </header> <section class="c-nav-list" data-cid="site/nav_list-1733271378_2279_203221" data-cdata='{"tab_id":"more"}'> <div class="c-nav-list__inner"> <ul class="c-nav-list__main" data-nav-list-id="more"> <li data-nav-item-id="podcast"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/the-tilehurst-end-podcast"> Podcast </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="sections" data-nav-list-id="sections"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/sections"> Sections <span class="c-nav-list__arrow-down"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </a> <ul class="c-nav-list__sub-items"> <li class=" "> <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/news-info"> Reading FC News </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/player-ratings"> Reading FC Player Ratings </a> </li> <li class=" "> <a href="/archives/full"> Full Archive </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="library" data-nav-list-id="library"> <span class="c-nav-list__label"> Library <span class="c-nav-list__arrow-down"><svg role="img"><use xlink:href="#icon-norgie-down"></use></svg></span> </span> <ul class="c-nav-list__sub-items"> <li class=" "> <a href="http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/pages/readingfc-about"> About The Blog </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="shop"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="http://www.fanatics.com/Soccer/partnerid/14104"> Shop </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="about"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/masthead"> About </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="masthead"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/masthead"> Masthead </a> </li> <li data-nav-item-id="community-guidelines"> <a class="c-nav-list__label" href="/community-guidelines"> Community Guidelines </a> </li> <button data-ui="close-nav" type="button" class="c-nav-list__close">✕</button> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <div class="c-ad-allowlist" data-ui="ad-allowlist" data-cid="site/ad_allowlist-1733268253_7969_148249" data-cdata='{"adblocker_allowlist_prompt_enabled":true,"messaging_urls":["https://cdn.concert.io/lib/adblock/sbnation.html"],"selector":".l-header"}'></div> </div> <style id="custom-entry-styles" type="text/css"> </style> <main id="content" tabindex="-1" class="l-wrapper"> <article class="l-segment l-main-content"> <span data-content-admin-id="24062688"></span> <div class="l-segment"> <div class="c-entry-hero c-entry-hero--default "> <div class="c-entry-group-labels c-entry-group-labels--article"> <p class="sr-only c-entry-box--compact__labels-title" id="heading-label--z35mtdjb">Filed under:</p> <ul aria-labelledby="heading-label--z35mtdjb"> <li class="c-entry-group-labels__item"> <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/academy-coverage"> <span>Academy Coverage</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-entry-group-labels__item"> <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024-25-analysis-opinion-reading-fc-royals"> <span>2024/25 Analysis & Opinion</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="c-entry-hero__header-wrap"> <h1 class="c-page-title">The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs </h1> </div> <p class="c-entry-summary p-dek">The Royals’ youth setup is still going strong, but - like the rest of the club - it’s faced more than its fair share of difficulties this year.</p> <div class="c-byline"> <span class="c-byline-wrapper"> By <span class="c-byline__item"> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/users/CheshireEastRoyal" data-analytics-link="author-name"><span class="c-byline__author-name">CheshireEastRoyal</span></a> </span> <span class="c-byline__item"> <time class="c-byline__item" data-ui="timestamp" datetime="2024-11-18T09:15:09"> Nov 18, 2024, 9:15am GMT </time> </span> <span class="c-byline__item"> <div class="c-entry-stat--words"> <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles#comments" data-ui="comment"> <span class="coral-count" data-coral-url="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles"></span> <span class="c-entry-stat--words__unread" data-ui="unread"> / <span class="c-entry-stat__comment-data" data-ui="unread-data"></span> <span class="c-entry-stat--words__word">new</span> </span> </a> </div> </span> </span> <span class="c-byline__gear"> <a data-entry-admin="24062688" data-cid="tools/entry_admin_button-1733271378_3662_203213" data-cdata='{"id":24062688}'></a> </span> </div> </div> <div class="c-social-buttons c-social-buttons--popover main-social" data-cid="site/social_buttons_list/popover-1733271378_7771_203214" data-cdata='{"entry_id":24062688,"services":["twitter","facebook","reddit","pocket","flipboard","email"],"base_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles"}'> <h2 class="sr-only" id="heading-label--4bsc9hif">Share this story</h2> <ul aria-labelledby="heading-label--4bsc9hif"> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?text=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&u=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?counturl=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles&text=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles&via=TheTilehurstEnd" data-analytics-social="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Twitter</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-social-buttons__reddit"> <a class="c-social-buttons__item" href="https://reddit.com/submit?title=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="reddit"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 17 17" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M8.5,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.5S3.8,17,8.5,17S17,13.2,17,8.5S13.2,0,8.5,0z M14,10.2c0,0.1,0,0.3,0,0.4c0,2.2-2.5,3.9-5.6,3.9 s-5.6-1.8-5.6-3.9c0-0.2,0-0.3,0-0.5C2.5,9.9,2.2,9.4,2.2,8.9c0-0.8,0.6-1.5,1.4-1.5c0.4,0,0.7,0.2,0.9,0.4C5.2,7.3,6,6.9,7,6.8 c0.3-0.1,0.3-0.1,0.7-0.1l0.7-3.1C8.6,2.9,8.8,2.9,9.3,3C11.1,3.5,12,3.7,12,3.7c0.2-0.3,0.5-0.3,0.8-0.3c0.6,0,1.1,0.5,1.1,1.2 s-0.5,1.2-1.1,1.2c-0.5,0-1-0.5-1.1-1c0,0-0.7-0.2-2.2-0.6C9.1,5.9,8.9,6.7,8.9,6.7c1.3,0.1,2.6,0.5,3.5,1.1c0.3-0.3,0.6-0.4,1-0.4 c0.8,0,1.4,0.7,1.4,1.5C14.8,9.4,14.5,9.9,14,10.2z"></path> <path d="M10.2,12.2c-0.3,0.4-0.9,0.5-1.7,0.5l0,0l0,0c-0.8,0-1.4-0.2-1.7-0.5c-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.1-0.3,0c-0.1,0.1-0.1,0.2,0,0.3 c0.4,0.4,1.1,0.7,2,0.7l0,0l0,0c0.9,0,1.6-0.2,2-0.7c0.1-0.1,0.1-0.2,0-0.3C10.4,12.1,10.3,12.1,10.2,12.2z"></path> <ellipse cx="6.6" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> <ellipse cx="10.4" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Share this on Reddit</span> </a> </li> <li data-ui="more"> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__more" href="#" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 21 20" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M18.4,12.9c-0.3,0-0.6,0.3-0.6,0.6V17c0,1-0.8,1.8-1.8,1.8H3c-1,0-1.8-0.8-1.8-1.8V4C1.2,3,2,2.2,3,2.2h8.4 c0.3,0,0.6-0.3,0.6-0.6S11.7,1,11.3,1H3C1.3,1,0,2.3,0,4V17c0,1.6,1.3,3,3,3H16c1.6,0,3-1.3,3-3v-3.5C19,13.2,18.7,12.9,18.4,12.9z"></path> <path d="M20.9,5.3C20.9,5.3,20.9,5.3,20.9,5.3c0-0.1,0-0.1,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0 c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0,0l-4.6-4.6c-0.2-0.2-0.6-0.2-0.8,0s-0.2,0.6,0,0.8l3.3,3.3c-2.1-0.3-5.5-0.3-8.5,1.5 C7.6,7.5,5.9,10,5.2,13.5c-0.1,0.3,0.1,0.6,0.5,0.7c0,0,0.1,0,0.1,0c0.3,0,0.5-0.2,0.6-0.5c0.6-3.1,2.1-5.4,4.3-6.8 c3-1.8,6.7-1.5,8.5-1.2l-3.8,3.9c-0.2,0.2-0.2,0.6,0,0.8c0.1,0.1,0.3,0.2,0.4,0.2s0.3-0.1,0.4-0.2l4.6-4.6c0,0,0,0,0,0 c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0-0.1c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0,0c0,0,0,0,0-0.1C20.9,5.4,20.9,5.4,20.9,5.3 C20.9,5.4,20.9,5.4,20.9,5.3z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons--label" aria-hidden="true">Share</span> <span class="sr-only">All sharing options</span> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover" data-ui="popover"> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover-header"> <h3 tabindex="-1"> <strong aria-hidden="true">Share</strong> <span class="sr-only">All sharing options for:</span> <span>The State Of Reading’s Academy: Transition, Trials And Triumphs </span> </h3> </div> <div class="c-social-buttons__popover-body"> <ul> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__reddit" href="https://reddit.com/submit?title=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="reddit"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 17 17" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M8.5,0C3.8,0,0,3.8,0,8.5S3.8,17,8.5,17S17,13.2,17,8.5S13.2,0,8.5,0z M14,10.2c0,0.1,0,0.3,0,0.4c0,2.2-2.5,3.9-5.6,3.9 s-5.6-1.8-5.6-3.9c0-0.2,0-0.3,0-0.5C2.5,9.9,2.2,9.4,2.2,8.9c0-0.8,0.6-1.5,1.4-1.5c0.4,0,0.7,0.2,0.9,0.4C5.2,7.3,6,6.9,7,6.8 c0.3-0.1,0.3-0.1,0.7-0.1l0.7-3.1C8.6,2.9,8.8,2.9,9.3,3C11.1,3.5,12,3.7,12,3.7c0.2-0.3,0.5-0.3,0.8-0.3c0.6,0,1.1,0.5,1.1,1.2 s-0.5,1.2-1.1,1.2c-0.5,0-1-0.5-1.1-1c0,0-0.7-0.2-2.2-0.6C9.1,5.9,8.9,6.7,8.9,6.7c1.3,0.1,2.6,0.5,3.5,1.1c0.3-0.3,0.6-0.4,1-0.4 c0.8,0,1.4,0.7,1.4,1.5C14.8,9.4,14.5,9.9,14,10.2z"></path> <path d="M10.2,12.2c-0.3,0.4-0.9,0.5-1.7,0.5l0,0l0,0c-0.8,0-1.4-0.2-1.7-0.5c-0.1-0.1-0.2-0.1-0.3,0c-0.1,0.1-0.1,0.2,0,0.3 c0.4,0.4,1.1,0.7,2,0.7l0,0l0,0c0.9,0,1.6-0.2,2-0.7c0.1-0.1,0.1-0.2,0-0.3C10.4,12.1,10.3,12.1,10.2,12.2z"></path> <ellipse cx="6.6" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> <ellipse cx="10.4" cy="9.9" rx="0.8" ry="0.9"></ellipse> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Reddit</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__pocket" href="https://getpocket.com/save?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="pocket"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 16 14" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M14.4,0.1H2c-0.6,0-1.1,0.5-1.1,1.1v4.6c0,4,3.3,7.3,7.3,7.3c4,0,7.3-3.3,7.3-7.3V1.2C15.5,0.6,15,0.1,14.4,0.1 z M12.5,5.4L8.9,9C8.7,9.2,8.4,9.3,8.2,9.3C8,9.3,7.7,9.2,7.5,9L3.9,5.4C3.5,5,3.5,4.4,3.9,4c0.4-0.4,1-0.4,1.3,0l3,3l3-3 c0.4-0.4,1-0.4,1.3,0C12.9,4.4,12.9,5,12.5,5.4z"></path> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Pocket</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__flipboard" href="https://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?title=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles&v=2" data-analytics-social="flipboard"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 16 16" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"> <path d="M0,0v16h16V0H0z M12.9,6.4H9.6v3.2H6.5v3.2H3.2V3.2h9.7V6.4z"></path> <polygon opacity="0.13" points="6.5,3.2 6.5,6.4 9.8,6.4 12.9,6.4 12.9,3.2 "></polygon> <polygon opacity="0.23" points="6.5,9.7 9.7,9.7 9.7,6.4 6.5,6.4 "></polygon> </svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Flipboard</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__email" href="mailto:?subject=The%20State%20Of%20Reading%E2%80%99s%20Academy%3A%20Transition%2C%20Trials%20And%20Triumphs%20&body=The%20Royals%E2%80%99%20youth%20setup%20is%20still%20going%20strong%2C%20but%20-%20like%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20club%20-%20it%E2%80%99s%20faced%20more%20than%20its%20fair%20share%20of%20difficulties%20this%20year.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="email"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-email"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text">Email</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span class="c-social-buttons__popover-caret" data-ui="caret"></span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-sidebar-fixed l-segment l-article-body-segment"> <div class="l-col__main"> <figure class="e-image e-image--hero"> <span class="e-image__inner"> <span class="e-image__image " data-original="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg"> <picture class="c-picture" data-cid="site/picture_element-1733271378_3149_203215" data-cdata='{"image_id":73730288,"ratio":"*"}'> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7QY5cpVUl0lVKQH7Nxw9mpEhoGo=/0x0:2000x1500/320x213/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Rr9aybU0hAN9JihXTRDa8HoAXdI=/0x0:2000x1500/620x413/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 620w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/doGB0vVVPM5lrwWlO3boBvrrxk4=/0x0:2000x1500/920x613/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OI4kaMgORU_mZsWSrlqy_R5jMWA=/0x0:2000x1500/1220x813/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1220w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AtmVjlmJvBzAlesJHVceq6vbYN8=/0x0:2000x1500/1520x1013/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xrAMX4DvMMM50d1jlnc2zblCcUM=/0x0:2000x1500/1820x1213/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1820w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y2WclI5LOzKIGLDxlSdri0Ma-5g=/0x0:2000x1500/2120x1413/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 2120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TCdTt9X6Qd5uyDxm-LXGm034W_E=/0x0:2000x1500/2420x1613/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910):format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 2420w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" type="image/webp"> <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hu4tlQZGXzN2J6xTEVsy_lALhrQ=/0x0:2000x1500/320x213/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PsaLTQs1ejzEcezAACcL9-mqUp4=/0x0:2000x1500/620x413/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 620w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/so3TS1DddwhF7zKn1XKEnwB_mN0=/0x0:2000x1500/920x613/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-458llXbc1lDPDb6u-QJV5Xy8EY=/0x0:2000x1500/1220x813/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1220w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6TV07r029PZrXOKMgdgN1eklIPM=/0x0:2000x1500/1520x1013/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H2N_PeiSMucZjAT9QoHnHhLWaCQ=/0x0:2000x1500/1820x1213/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 1820w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hIaBWWiPMP0DWll6tbC0_hteD5o=/0x0:2000x1500/2120x1413/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 2120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h2PO4MB-zhxkQEm4OpNpuKbmqaw=/0x0:2000x1500/2420x1613/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg 2420w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" alt="" loading="eager" data-upload-width="2000" width="2000" height="1500" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o6T76vrJVwT49h2799b6JpfzS7A=/0x0:2000x1500/1200x800/filters:focal(840x590:1160x910)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73730288/Academy_pinboard_Nov_2024_pinboard.0.jpg"> </source></picture> </span> </span> </figure> <div class="c-entry-content "> <p id="b6kmI2">All the way back in February, I visited Manchester City’s Joie Stadium to see them host Reading’s under-18s in the FA Youth Cup, probably this country’s most prestigious academy football competition. You can read my report from the game <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/2/15/24073727/manchester-city-u18s-2-0-reading-fc-u18s-match-report-royals-fa-youth-cup">here</a>. </p> <p id="3bY4CA">This was in the fifth round, before which the Royals had seen off Oxford City, Forest Green Rovers, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday. In that run is (at time of the game) a National League club, a League Two club and two Championship teams.</p> <p id="CN0BR5">This season however, our under-18s were knocked out in the first round of the cup by AFC Dunstable, current members of the Division One Central of the Southern League - the eighth tier of English football.</p> <p id="sdhl2V">On the face of it, it’s a horrible result, losing to Dunstable. But we weren’t the only bigger team to get knocked out in the first round: Rotherham United, Peterborough United and Charlton Athletic also suffered the same fate. The latter of those three is particularly known for a strong academy setup.</p> <p id="P1yWfM">However, the likes of those progressing into the second round included Burgess Hill Town, Hertford Town, Merstham and, worst of all, “Rising Ballers Kensington”, whatever that is. Utter woke nonsense, as they say. </p> <p id="TuiRfT">It’s worth noting also that the League One and League Two teams’ under-18s joined in the first round, with academies of the top two tiers entering at round three, like the senior FA Cup.</p> <h3 id="YsTVor"><strong>A lack of coverage</strong></h3> <p id="Ths4gS">What’s perhaps worse is that it seemed no-one really knew the game happened either. The only recognition of it before the match was a four-sentence long footnote in “The Week Agenda” on Reading’s website, while no mention of the result has been given at all.</p> <p id="cvKSUP">Last year’s round-one clash at Oxford City however, received a full, in-detail match preview and match report, as did all the succeeding rounds in which Reading competed. In fact, in order to find the last piece of under-18-related news on our website, you’d have to go all the way back to that cup game at Manchester City in February.</p> <p id="bmB8nr">I’m not here just to dunk on our young players and media team for not doing as well in the cup and not providing as much coverage as one might expect. Bad games happen, and if budget cuts need to be made, the first place to look is probably academy coverage. But the least a fan might expect is a little more publicity of the games and results.</p> <figure class="e-image"> <span class="e-image__inner"> <span class="e-image__image " data-original="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg"> <picture class="c-picture" data-cid="site/picture_element-1733271378_7965_203216" data-cdata='{"asset_id":25737767,"ratio":"*"}'> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PNMz_3nTbps4rsFdERwCAG67lkQ=/0x0:5310x3535/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rfQbKIyMl2Cc6Afl8HHhMaQDg0k=/0x0:5310x3535/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iofTGFjbml-ZnoS2m1C72NJ3jHs=/0x0:5310x3535/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HNoglt4zoJOuFg08IFdMmK7F8s8=/0x0:5310x3535/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3sxdi8nZAQnBdXNC6XIvlOKqfcM=/0x0:5310x3535/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4pc6g914EMNAs7Q7unTEJemZEr0=/0x0:5310x3535/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vVhS8_Ew-fQydA8qp5hj4ieVn_Y=/0x0:5310x3535/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YPab9Mv4B7Epx3sswbeHukzDxBQ=/0x0:5310x3535/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PKMe88b2GzOLZLiDstDFgAUb7iw=/0x0:5310x3535/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" type="image/webp"> <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FIReOs7Wy36FifcDYFYuAbp_rfk=/0x0:5310x3535/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zs3gje3ILSbwK0c3JXyzbz8lwY4=/0x0:5310x3535/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UOlWMz7EZytmIYPYY7w6xKXPZdk=/0x0:5310x3535/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iGTdeIAX2p2gwavCXOg-MJSIaao=/0x0:5310x3535/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xv_Vyq6-VScL6JExVmmPrqUCuAg=/0x0:5310x3535/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vP-FoP_aBfTa6T2E7loeAk_lS3Q=/0x0:5310x3535/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UlJmr2i_HZ59_AfNXw_jDArwbKM=/0x0:5310x3535/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SFOvR0gSxYoWyhFjuQVTdAXsJ-A=/0x0:5310x3535/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pB9X1QRCJOsDN6mp1Ne8rXXU63M=/0x0:5310x3535/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" alt="Manchester City v Reading - FA Youth Cup Fifth Round" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="5310" width="5310" height="3535" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0OugOZZYnhVdzTOqjraoOQbjBPY=/0x0:5310x3535/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:5310x3535):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737767/2011201425.jpg"> </source></picture> </span> </span> <span class="e-image__meta"> <figcaption>Reading in action at Manchester City in February 2024</figcaption> <cite>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</cite> </span> </figure> <p id="wGRhY3">To be fair, it’s not all bad on the academy side. The under-21s have been covered well this season, particularly in our Premier League International Cup campaign. We have also kicked off to a decent start in it too, <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/9/24/24253483/reading-fc-u21s-2-1-ajax-u21s-dutch-courage-royals">beating Ajax in the opening fixture</a>, which is worth even more merit given we are the only League One team in it this year, and one of only five English non-Premier League teams in it too.</p> <p id="HJ6vhG">This season has been our first year competing in Europe’s best academy tournament since three years of involvement on the bounce from 2016 to 2019, including a run to the semi-final in 2018/19.</p> <p id="bJvkxx">In the Premier League 2, we’re 16th after eight games. A definite drop-off since last season’s sixth-place finish, and <a href="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/5/20/24161189/reading-fc-u21s-3-4-sunderland-u21s-aet-player-ratings-royals">eventual semi-finalists</a> in the elimination playoffs phase. Still, far from horrendous though.</p> <p id="zZtHTj">In the under-18 Premier League, Reading are 12th of 13 teams in the southern group. However, we have only ever finished 10th or below since 2017 in that competition, and before that point the format of it was completely different, so we haven’t really felt a drop-off in success there.</p> <h3 id="84CJnd"><strong>Producing players for the future</strong></h3> <p id="Jo9GoJ">Personally though, I think the real success of the academy is in the output it provides to the first team, and it’s hard to say we’ve been anything but exemplary at that this year. </p> <p id="N8AxXc">Reading finished 17th in <em>Training Ground Guru’s</em> latest <a href="https://trainingground.guru/academy-rankings-2023-24-full-table/">academy rankings</a>, which take into account the number of players from our academy that went on to play in England’s top five leagues, and feature every Category 1-3 academy in the country. It’s weighted to give clubs producing players performing in the better leagues a better score.</p> <p id="0TDwan">Although that’s a downgrade of four places since the 2021/22 edition of the rankings, we still finished above eight Premier League clubs. When removing the weighting, Reading came 10th, meaning we produced the most players of any EFL team.</p> <p id="tHpJTm">Reading were also recently <a href="https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sport/24727098.reading-fc-academy-ranked-ahead-man-city-arsenal/">named the 10th best academy in the country</a> by OLBG’s rankings, over-performing countless clubs with no doubt far better finances and resources at hand.</p> <p id="9yJJVC">And the proof is on the pitch for our graduate successes, particularly under the reign of Ruben Selles. It goes without saying that many of those young players wouldn’t have been given the same opportunity if we’d been a normal club that’s allowed to make more than one summer signing, but even last season, they were trusted more than one might expect.</p> <figure class="e-image"> <span class="e-image__inner"> <span class="e-image__image " data-original="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg"> <picture class="c-picture" data-cid="site/picture_element-1733271378_255_203217" data-cdata='{"asset_id":25737771,"ratio":"*"}'> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4aY3tbOjJsTwLc60AJDtsZOkx9w=/0x0:3088x2059/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2_MKrV06-zSb5pwFo00yhkiHCpg=/0x0:3088x2059/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NS1kk43Ky0-YNUdGJuHNtWjURDA=/0x0:3088x2059/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hRRwByVcTtxgYNOv5xL-6kF8QWI=/0x0:3088x2059/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JnX9E6beUPFk_GVMM1dmKpIijng=/0x0:3088x2059/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fFMjF8VHRgLI492jjhHcqIyHGOs=/0x0:3088x2059/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dGv1IUYO4WoUI_kZaFdiJEjvPYQ=/0x0:3088x2059/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hh4oEPiUkm1GSq7Q6EChad6bRqU=/0x0:3088x2059/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NEEbfQqMoT3YNTUfNTpleGj1WAs=/0x0:3088x2059/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" type="image/webp"> <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ziBZhV9yCi9kuwNVOXItOc0CHEM=/0x0:3088x2059/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/p2SSv8PoKiaSvrXwkQb18JEOh9g=/0x0:3088x2059/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SfEC_guP-eseYKqcBRe99rZYuZ4=/0x0:3088x2059/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oL7BXIVORw9J8FCjzbrlFr4YoDk=/0x0:3088x2059/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lQOUKJLHS39embpN_dAzDb7Yruc=/0x0:3088x2059/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3QIydsSS0ePcNAJHs-Pn-ykvNw4=/0x0:3088x2059/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6SU6FIZQWXMMlCK4zgbMz-5QLfM=/0x0:3088x2059/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AJbX7R51jRozjHziqhiMMr6PSBo=/0x0:3088x2059/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/alZj8IkQh1sr-9AvoiIIIY-Fdz0=/0x0:3088x2059/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" alt="Derby County v Reading - Sky Bet League One - Pride Park" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="3088" width="3088" height="2059" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5b0WXpFVClX2V_8nU8rR7HuO3RI=/0x0:3088x2059/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:3088x2059):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737771/2071896658.jpg"> </source></picture> </span> </span> <span class="e-image__meta"> <cite>Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images</cite> </span> </figure> <p id="JLrG6J">Experienced players such as Andy Carroll, Harlee Dean, Sam Hutchinson, Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre and Nesta Guinness-Walker were shunned from the squad at various points and replaced with rather unproven counterparts, and we greatly benefitted from that spirited decision.</p> <p id="H3mK5B">This year, we don’t really have the luxury of having older players to cut out, and have been forced down the academy route. However, the evidence is there from last season that it would be likely to happen anyway. </p> <p id="EqSGz4">The following players have broken into the first-team picture this season:</p> <ul> <li id="dPe17P">Andre Garcia</li> <li id="tamCJy">Shay Spencer</li> <li id="QCkuRS">Ashqar Ahmed</li> <li id="JzlrNS">Adrian Akande</li> <li id="P2LWvz">Emmanuel Osho</li> <li id="IyTayB">Abraham Kanu</li> <li id="QI9JZY">Boyd Beacroft</li> <li id="19t6Rs">Jeremiah Okine-Peters</li> <li id="z14Lt8">Joe Barough</li> </ul> <p id="8n7G0J">While these players have been around the first-team picture for a little longer and are still involved:</p> <ul> <li id="ArsEjT">Louie Holzman</li> <li id="X72fE3">Michael Stickland</li> <li id="WEoHdt">Jay Senga</li> <li id="jLWJOI">Basil Tuma</li> <li id="leSavD">Jayden Wareham</li> <li id="zwU6Ie">Charlie Wellens</li> </ul> <h3 id="0brqKy"><strong>Expectations</strong></h3> <p id="E4yBXm">They’re not all going to be world beaters for sure, and in 10 years’ time some may no longer be in professional football. But from what I’ve seen, they’ve all largely looked comfortable in senior football. </p> <p id="SE73gF">It’s a difficult thing to fairly analyse the young players’ performances too - it seems unfair to criticise 16-year-old Garcia for a difficult first half away at Stevenage, especially since his jump straight from the under-18s to the first team. </p> <p id="sufAgM">However, should we be expecting more from, say, 20-year-old Holzman, who made his Reading senior debut nearly three years ago? He seems to be coming into a bit of form recently, yet he finds himself senior to many first-teamers at Reading.</p> <figure class="e-image"> <span class="e-image__inner"> <span class="e-image__image " data-original="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg"> <picture class="c-picture" data-cid="site/picture_element-1733271378_6645_203218" data-cdata='{"asset_id":25737766,"ratio":"*"}'> <source srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KNEbSsFsveiz-AT9CA5EpdOZpqc=/0x0:4014x2654/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e03BN0wXObP4vkh3c-HQK4QLaCw=/0x0:4014x2654/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1mDsi82rhYCZ_PjmZvT7KH_IjXg=/0x0:4014x2654/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kvjJEz9QUI61HIKMFVODEm2jtZo=/0x0:4014x2654/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wsXkPfck_Sokf99Bg-ghjzR5wbo=/0x0:4014x2654/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VrE4Qsc0QYM78z2MtOd6mkdx4OY=/0x0:4014x2654/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bMWRrOXpVCHRdsE3lhp2jWGdf5U=/0x0:4014x2654/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K2XmhsrMljQTEBSLG1FNc4MSBUE=/0x0:4014x2654/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qst1R7Jt2uvshG5Sy6lS3syDgFs=/0x0:4014x2654/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" type="image/webp"> <img srcset="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XKGeXi3Q3axaXpDV6-z7XT7u_Zk=/0x0:4014x2654/320x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X0nB6mAVNHiDm3s610cL4Ac-Ssk=/0x0:4014x2654/520x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/To0423ZyFnLKo1kxKTpWCGLFRhY=/0x0:4014x2654/720x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ui7wHGsX6_COpT34XQYLW_vpvUg=/0x0:4014x2654/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 920w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GrhMX552oXihg9Lf48vVInasgUE=/0x0:4014x2654/1120x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1120w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HkhqZWHNI2BCHm3XCUH2UvxxFFE=/0x0:4014x2654/1320x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1320w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pl4Sy6JiAxZp1hmAWFngdHubgFs=/0x0:4014x2654/1520x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1520w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4Z2wykLvXuJD72JAEGH_iYAg-5s=/0x0:4014x2654/1720x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1720w, https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8ZSEWR6Duh5tqROe4JaROUmLvjo=/0x0:4014x2654/1920x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg 1920w" sizes="(min-width: 1221px) 846px, (min-width: 880px) calc(100vw - 334px), 100vw" alt="Kidderminster Harriers v Reading: The Emirates FA Cup Third Round" loading="lazy" data-upload-width="4014" width="4014" height="2654" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YlSAuEzRIdYBWpK4g7b8_DoUnU4=/0x0:4014x2654/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:4014x2654):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25737766/1363498574.jpg"> </source></picture> </span> </span> <span class="e-image__meta"> <figcaption>Louie Holzman in FA Cup action at Kidderminster Harriers</figcaption> <cite>Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images</cite> </span> </figure> <p id="FDZHP3">We can’t really evaluate from an outsider’s perspective how effectively the younger groups of players in the academy are managed, but there has been movement in higher-ups at Bearwood.</p> <p id="aslXWo">Head of academy operations Antoine Thompson left for a job with the Premier League in October. He was previously academy director at Cheltenham Town before coming to Berkshire in summer 2022. In a <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7252733552813817856/">leaving message on LinkedIn</a>, he wrote: “I will miss the staff sense of humour which kept spirits high and motivated us to do the best we could even through the hardship.” </p> <p id="J82VQ7">From that, it seems the impact of Dai Yongge’s ownership is definitely trickling down to the academy, but it remains functional and thriving. His job has since been filled by Celeste Stevens, who’s worked at Reading since 2020 in various safeguarding roles.</p> <p id="tmABMV">Things are moving behind the scenes in the academy, and it’ll be interesting to see how it develops in the next few years. I doubt we have the same player pull that we once had, or as much money to support the young lads going forward.</p> <p id="fcGTxZ">But what we still have, and have always had, is the Reading way: a culture of nurturing, trusting in and producing excellent footballers. And I think that’s one thing a new owner’s money can’t buy.</p> </div> <div class="u-hidden-text" id="formatter-datter" data-cid="site/entry_formatter-1733271378_4076_203219" data-cdata='{"svg_hr_illustration":""}'> </div> </div> <div class="l-col__sidebar" data-analytics-placement="sidebar"> <div class="c-rock-newsnow" title="Click here for more Reading FC news from NewsNow"> <div class="c-rock-newsnow__inner"> <span><a href="http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Reading" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Click here for more Reading FC news from NewsNow">Reading FC News 24/7</a></span> </div> </div> <div class="u-desktop-only "> </div> <div class=" "> </div> <div class="u-desktop-only sticky-ad-wrapper"> <div class="sticky-ad-section"><div class="sticky-ad"></div></div><div class="sticky-ad-section"><div class="sticky-ad"></div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-segment outbrain-container"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-widget-id="AR_10" data-ob-template="SBNation_1" ></div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> (function(){ // load outbrain js function loadOutbrain(){ var ref = document.querySelector("div.OUTBRAIN"); var script = document.createElement('script'); script.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'); script.setAttribute('src', 'https://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js'); script.setAttribute('async', 'async'); ref.appendChild(script); } // Disable on mobile and tablet screens // 880px is the upper bound for the `medium` breakpoint defined in UserAgent JS lib. var shouldDisable = false && screen.width <= 880; var hymnalPreviewContent = !!(window.location.href.indexOf("concert_preview") > -1); if (!shouldDisable && !hymnalPreviewContent) { // first, set a timeout to loadOutbrain, in case no ads load in 5s // (i.e., blocked). once an ad has loaded, create a new timeout that // will load outbrain if openmic doesn't get loaded in 2s // var adBlockerTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 5000); document.body.addEventListener('first_ad_rendered', function(){ clearTimeout(adBlockerTimeoutId); var outbrainTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 2000); document.body.addEventListener('playlistRendered', function(){ clearTimeout(outbrainTimeoutId); }); }); } })(); </script> </div> <div class="l-segment outbrain-container"> <div class="OUTBRAIN" data-src="https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-widget-id="AR_2" data-ob-template="SBNation_1" ></div> <script type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"> (function(){ // load outbrain js function loadOutbrain(){ var ref = document.querySelector("div.OUTBRAIN"); var script = document.createElement('script'); script.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'); script.setAttribute('src', 'https://widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js'); script.setAttribute('async', 'async'); ref.appendChild(script); } // Disable on mobile and tablet screens // 880px is the upper bound for the `medium` breakpoint defined in UserAgent JS lib. var shouldDisable = false && screen.width <= 880; var hymnalPreviewContent = !!(window.location.href.indexOf("concert_preview") > -1); if (!shouldDisable && !hymnalPreviewContent) { // first, set a timeout to loadOutbrain, in case no ads load in 5s // (i.e., blocked). once an ad has loaded, create a new timeout that // will load outbrain if openmic doesn't get loaded in 2s // var adBlockerTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 5000); document.body.addEventListener('first_ad_rendered', function(){ clearTimeout(adBlockerTimeoutId); var outbrainTimeoutId = setTimeout(loadOutbrain, 2000); document.body.addEventListener('playlistRendered', function(){ clearTimeout(outbrainTimeoutId); }); }); } })(); </script> </div> <div class="l-sidebar-fixed l-segment"> <div class="l-col__main"> <div id="comments" data-cid="apps/coral-1733271378_9804_203220" data-cdata='{"entry_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles","entry_id":24062688,"coral_root_url":"https://sbnation.coral.coralproject.net","coral_cache_version":"1626303173","coral_version":5,"lazy_load":true,"coral_fonts_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/style/coral_fonts/392/index.css","coral_css_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/style/coral/392/index.css","recommended_threshold":3,"moderation_email":"moderation@sbnation.com"}'> <div id="coral_thread" class="c-comments"> <div class="c-comments__header"> <h4 class="c-comments__message">Loading comments...</h4> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-col__sidebar" id="comments-sidebar" data-analytics-placement="sidebar"> </div> </div> </article> </main> <footer class="c-footer c-footer__community" role="contentinfo" data-cid="site/global_footer-1733270966_6271_204500" data-cdata="{}"> <div class="l-wrapper c-footer__wrapper"> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-logo"> <a rel="nofollow" href="/" class="c-footer__logo-link"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/392/large_The_Tilehurst_End_Full.25867.png" class=""> <span class="u-hidden-text">Chorus</span> </a> </div> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-links"> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li data-title="Masthead"><a rel="nofollow" href="/masthead">Masthead</a></li> <li data-title="Community Guidelines"><a rel="nofollow" href="/community-guidelines">Community Guidelines</a></li> <li data-title="Facebook"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/thetilehurstend">Facebook</a></li> <li data-title="Twitter"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.twitter.com/TheTilehurstEnd">Twitter</a></li> <li data-title="YouTube"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/The%20Tilehurst%20End%20Blog">YouTube</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-network"> <span class="c-footer__network-logo "> <svg version="1.1" id="Layer_1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" x="0px" y="0px" viewbox="0 0 1000 137.7" enable-background="new 0 0 1000 137.7" xml:space="preserve"> <title>Horizontal - White</title> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M245.3,68.1c11.5,0,20.8-9.1,21.1-20.6c0-7.2,0-12.7,0-12.7C266.5,13.9,253,0,233.7,0h-95v137.7H234 c16.3,0,32.5-12.5,32.5-33.7V89.2C266.5,77.5,257,68.1,245.3,68.1z M216,98.6c0,1.7-1.3,3-3,3h-23.8v-15h23.6c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2 c0,0,0,0,0,0V98.6z M216,46.2c0,1.8-1.5,3.3-3.3,3.3h-23.5V36.1h23.5c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.4L216,46.2z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M127.7,42.8v-9.1c0-6.6-1.8-13-5.1-18.7l0.1-0.2C117,6,107.4,0.5,96.9,0h-0.1c-0.4,0-0.8,0-1.2,0H32.3 C14.5,0,0,14.5,0,32.3v18.7l0,0v8.8c0,14.9,12,26.9,26.9,26.9c0,0,0,0,0,0h46.9c1.9,0,3.4,1.5,3.4,3.5l0,0v8c0,1.9-1.6,3.5-3.5,3.5 H50.5v-6.6H0v10.2c0,6.2,1.8,12.3,5.1,17.5l-0.1,0.2c5.6,8.8,15.3,14.4,25.7,14.8h0.1c0.4,0,0.8,0,1.2,0h63.3 c17.8,0,32.3-14.4,32.3-32.3l0,0V86.8l0,0V76.4c0-14.9-12-26.9-26.9-26.9h0H53.9c-1.9,0-3.4-1.5-3.4-3.5l0,0v-6.5 c0-1.9,1.6-3.5,3.5-3.5h23.4v6.7H127.7z"></path> <rect x="674.1" fill="#FFFFFF" width="50.5" height="137.7"></rect> <polygon fill="#FFFFFF" points="664.4,0 549.2,0 549.2,36.3 581.6,36.3 581.6,137.7 632,137.7 632,36.3 664.4,36.3 "></polygon> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M830.5,0h-62.8c-17.8,0-32.3,14.5-32.3,32.3v73.1c0,17.8,14.5,32.3,32.3,32.3h62.8 c17.8,0,32.3-14.5,32.3-32.3V32.3C862.8,14.5,848.4,0,830.5,0L830.5,0z M812.4,98.4c0,1.8-1.5,3.2-3.2,3.2h-20 c-1.8,0-3.2-1.5-3.2-3.2v-59c0-1.8,1.5-3.2,3.2-3.2h20c1.8,0,3.2,1.5,3.2,3.2V98.4z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M951,0v49.7L915.8,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H951z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M354.7,0v49.7L319.4,9.5c-5.1-6-12.6-9.5-20.5-9.5h-21.5v137.7h49V87.8l35.2,40.3c5.1,6,12.6,9.5,20.5,9.5 h21.5V0H354.7z"></path> <path fill="#FFFFFF" d="M531.6,17.9C527.8,7.2,517.7,0,506.3,0h-70v36.3h10.5l-35.2,101.3h50.6l7.2-20.8H516l7.2,20.9h50L531.6,17.9 z M492.6,49.6l10.8,31h-21.4L492.6,49.6z"></path> </svg> </span> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="/contact?community_id=247">Contact</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="/contact?community_id=247#sports_tips">Have a News Tip?</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/blogs">Browse Blogs</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/masthead">SB Nation Masthead</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://blog.sbnation.com">Company Blog</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/pages/openings">Blog Openings</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sbnation.com/guide/disclosure">Editorial Ethics and Guidelines</a></li> </ul> <a rel="nofollow" class="u-block" href="https://www.voxmedia.com"><span class="u-hidden-text">Vox Media</span><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 254.42 33.54" aria-labelledby="title" aria-describedby="description" role="img" class="c-footer__vox-logo"><title id="title">Vox Media</title> <desc id="description">Vox Media logo.</desc><path d="M229.88,262.35a16.77,16.77,0,1,0,16.77,16.77,16.77,16.77,0,0,0-16.77-16.77m0,25.08a8.32,8.32,0,1,1,7.92-8.31,8.12,8.12,0,0,1-7.92,8.31" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path><polygon points="0 0.66 16.97 33.38 33.95 0.66 24.05 0.66 17.07 14.31 10.09 0.66 0 0.66"></polygon><rect x="208.65" y="0.66" width="9" height="32.26"></rect><polygon points="170.15 8.74 170.15 0.66 145.41 0.66 145.41 32.92 170.15 32.92 170.15 24.84 154.82 24.84 154.82 20.68 169.01 20.68 169.01 12.91 154.82 12.91 154.82 8.74 170.15 8.74"></polygon><path d="M367.39,263H353.84v32.27h13.55a16.14,16.14,0,1,0,0-32.27m-.71,24.09h-3.74V271.19h3.74a8,8,0,1,1,0,15.91" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path><polygon points="131.07 14.94 131.07 32.92 140.17 32.92 140.17 0.66 128.9 0.66 121.92 14.12 114.94 0.66 103.67 0.66 103.67 32.92 112.57 32.92 112.57 14.94 121.82 32.77 131.07 14.94"></polygon><polygon points="83.11 24.43 88.78 32.93 99.44 32.93 88.44 16.79 99.34 0.66 88.88 0.66 83.21 9.16 83.31 9.16 77.63 0.66 67.08 0.66 77.98 16.79 66.98 32.93 77.43 32.93 83.11 24.43"></polygon><path d="M412.55,284.07l4-11.53,4,11.53ZM422,263H411.38l-11.62,32.27h9l1.41-4.15H423l1.4,4.15h9.21Z" transform="translate(-179.16 -262.35)"></path></svg></a> <ul class="u-list-dot-sep"> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/privacy-notice">Privacy Notice</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/cookie-policy">Cookie Policy</a></li> <li> <button id="ot-sdk-btn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings use-non-ot-styles">Cookie Settings</button> </li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/pages/licensing">Licensing FAQ</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/legal/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://status.voxmedia.com">Platform Status</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com/vox-advertising">Advertise with us</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="https://jobs.voxmedia.com">Jobs @ Vox Media</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="l-wrapper c-footer__wrapper"> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section-copy"> © 2024 <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.voxmedia.com">Vox Media</a>, LLC. All Rights Reserved <br><p style="text-align: left; margin: 20px auto 3px; font-size:12px;">Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (<a href="tel:18004262537">1-800-426-2537</a>). Hope is here. <a href="https://gamblinghelplinema.org/">GamblingHelpLineMA.org</a> or call <a href="tel:18003275050">(800) 327-5050</a> for 24/7 support (MA). Visit <a href="https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org/">www.mdgamblinghelp.org</a> (MD). Call <a href="18779467369">877-8HOPE-NY</a> or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call <a href="18887897777">1-888-789-7777</a> or visit <a href="https://ccpg.org/chat">ccpg.org/chat</a> (CT) or visit <a href="https://www.fanduel.com/rg">FanDuel.com/RG</a>.</p> </div> </div> </footer> <div class="c-tab-bar " data-cid="site/tab_bar/index-1733271378_5268_203224" data-cdata="{}"> <a href="/" class="c-tab-bar__logo"> <img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/392/large_The_Tilehurst_End_Full.25867.png" class=""> </a> <div class="c-social-buttons" data-analytics-placement="sticky" aria-labelledby="heading-label--q3nbji9o" data-cid="site/social_buttons_list-1733271378_4602_203223" data-cdata='{"entry_id":24062688,"services":["twitter","facebook"],"base_url":"https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2024/11/18/24298647/the-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles"}'> <h2 class="sr-only" id="heading-label--q3nbji9o">Share this story</h2> <ul> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?counturl=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles&text=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles&via=TheTilehurstEnd" data-analytics-social="twitter"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-twitter"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text"> Twitter </span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="c-social-buttons__item c-social-buttons__facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?text=The+State+Of+Reading%E2%80%99s+Academy%3A+Transition%2C+Trials+And+Triumphs+&u=https%3A%2F%2Fthetilehurstend.sbnation.com%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F24298647%2Fthe-state-of-reading-fc-academy-trials-triumphs-transition-royals-ruben-selles" data-analytics-social="facebook"> <svg role="img" class="p-svg-icon c-social-buttons__svg"><use xlink:href="#icon-facebook"></use></svg> <span class="c-social-buttons__text"> Facebook </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span class="c-tab-bar__sponsorship"></span> </div> </div> <script src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/packs/js/chorus-33366859faf801807147.js" async="async" integrity="sha256-zGddG8ztbb++Za1DfOyAyPS3SVPLWObXc7FHMNMbUls= sha384-fcBCRmmJpepyn3D6y4rkk6zNg7iF0Q4Ks3XZdTqcO20uBzvMoPpMwNginL5SPk4t" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <style type="text/css"> .sticky-ad .josh_wrap hr.border, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap hr, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap h2, .sticky-ad .josh_wrap .description { display: none ; } </style> </body></html> <script type="text/javascript"> window.onload = function() { var links = document.querySelector('.c-entry-content').querySelectorAll('p [has-subtag="true"], li [has-subtag="true"], div [has-subtag="true"]'); links.forEach(link => { var subtagData = link.getAttribute('data-cdata'); if (subtagData) { window.Subtags(link, JSON.parse(subtagData)); } }); } </script>