We first set-up our Youth in 2013, initially it just had 3 teams but now our youth section has over thirty youth teams playing on both Saturday and Sundays from the age of 7 to Under 18 when players can then join our senior pathway. In November 2021 we rebranded our Youth Section as the Reading City Football Club Academy as part of our ongoing partnership with local education establishment John Madejski Academy and their boys football performance programme.

Over the past twelve years a lot of hardwork and dedication has gone in to developing Youth Football, striving to be recognised as the best non-league Academy in Berkshire and that is starting to ring true as more and more proffesional clubs are opting to keep tabs on our youngsters.

In the last few week’s we’ve brought you news of Aarnav Thapa signing for Oxford United and Millie Warwick signing for Chelsea Women which for everyone involved will be hailed as a historic triumph for the club as we don’t have a dedicated pathway of our own for girls and women, youngsters are however permitted to play mixed football up until the age of 18, before taking senior routes either through our men’s pathway or a women’s pathway via our Sister Club, Tilehurst Panthers. 

We are now delighted to announce that Alfie Woodley who has been picked up by Sky Bet League One outfit Bristol Rovers and will join their Academy. Alfie played for our Under 13s Junior Premier League side and we spoke to Manager Simon Eade regarding Alfie signing for the Gas, here’s what he had to say:

“Alfie is a great central midfielder. He’s big, strong and technically good on the ball. He will be a big loss to the team but I wish him all the best going forward as he embarks on an exciting new journey with Bristol Rovers”.

Club Chairman, Martin Law had this to say: 

“On behalf of everyone at Reading City Football Club, I’d like to congratulate Alfie and wish him all the very best as he embarks on a new exciting journey with Sky Bet League One outfit Bristol Rovers’ Academy.

Whilst we collectively celebrate our recent successes as a club, a special mention must go to Simon Eade who is nuturing and developing a very talented group of youngsters. Only a few weeks ago Alfie’s team mate Aarnav was picked up by Oxford United so I place on record my thanks to the hardwork and dedication that Eadey is putting in with his squad.

The past few weeks have been momentous for our Youth Academy, whether it’s youngsters being picked up by professional clubs or homegrown talent being included in the First Team setup for the first time, completing their pathway through the club.

I therefore want to say a big thank you to all the managers, coaches, parents and of course the players themselves who give 100% week, week out. Whether it’s showing up for matches, turning up for training or supporting one another.

It’s a very proud moment to see the hardwork we have all put in over the years be recognised when our youngsters are being given the oppurtunity to progress into a higher standard of football for their development.”