At the end of the 2024/25 season, we sadly said goodbye to youngsters Jay Herbert and Lucas Taplin. Both had turned 18 meaning they were no longer able to play for our Under 18s anymore. However as one door closed, another one opened and we’re delighted to confirm that both youngsters have signed first-team deals, keeping them at the club for another season at least.

Here at Reading City, we are extremely proud of our player pathway.

Every player that joins the club knows that they may one day receive the opportunity to play first team football as they embark on their pathway to excellence and with the next generation of stars like Jay and Lucas coming through, that partnership will only grow stronger.

Lucas Taplin or Tappers as he’s affectionately known joined the club ahead of the 2024/25 season having been brought in by Under 18s boss, Johno ahead of his side’s first season in the Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division.

Having made his debut playing men’s football during the 2023/24 season representing both Woodcote’s First team and Development Team in their respective campaigns, that experience paid dividends last season.

His exploits in front of goal soon gained the attention of First Team Manager, Simon Johnson and he was handed not only a first team call-up, but full league debut too in our 2-2 draw on the road to Risborough Rangers on Saturday 25^th January, only days after scoring five goals in our Under 18s 9-0 win against Thatcham.

Having impressed in his first team debut, Lucas became a key part of the first team squad for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign and made a total of eleven appearances, in which he started seven of those and scored four goals.

The talented Striker was also top goalscorer for our Under 18s with twenty goals in sixteen appearances as they became the most successful Under 18s team in the club’s history, having won the Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division and reaching the semi-final of the Allied Counties Youth Football League’s Champions Cup and Subsidiary Cup, narrowly missing out on a historic treble.

He was also named our Under 18s Players Player of the Year, having been voted for by his peers.

Jay Herbert is a talented youngster who is versatile being able to play in the middle of the park or as a full-back, joined our Under 18s ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, in which our Under 18s competed in the Combined Counties Football League Tony Ford Under 18 Division West.

Having been made captain, he led the squad on a truly amazing season. With many of the players only being aged fifteen and sixteen at the time, defied expectations by becoming the League Cup Quarter Finalists, County Cup Semi-Finalists and secured a third-place league finish, having narrowly lost to the league leaders who they also held to a draw away from home.

Like many of our youngsters, Jay got his first taste of men’s football this summer playing for Woodcote in the Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division, where he made nineteen appearances and scored four goals, one of which happened to be against our Under 23s.

Jay’s performances and maturity as captain soon captured the attention of First Team Manager, Simon Johnson and Jay received his first team call-up, for our Southern Combination Challenge Cup Second Round clash against Epsom & Ewell on Tuesday 4^th February. Jay entered the pitch on fifty minutes and despite the result, had a solid game in centre midfield.

Jay eventually earned his full debut on the road to Hilltop on Wednesday 26^th February, and played a full ninety minutes.

Jay’s performance in that game didn’t go unnoticed and in the business end of the season, became one of the first names on Simon Johnson’s teamsheet starting a further five games.

Jay made eighteen appearances for our Under 18s side last season as they narrowly missed out on a historic treble, having won the Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division and reaching the semi-final of the Allied Counties Youth Football League’s Champions Cup and Subsidiary Cup.

His efforts saw him win Under 18s Manager’s Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.

Under 18s Secretary, John Goodwin had this to say on his former captain and top goalscorer being retained: 

“Today marks an important moment in our club’s journey and pathway as Simmy [Simon Johnson] has confirmed the retention of Tappers and Jay who have shown commitment, heart, and belief in what we’re building here.

With the squad which is currently being built at Reading City, it is fantastic that these two are part of the first teams plans for next season after making their way into the first teams plans while playing for the under 18s.

It also shows that if you work hard enough and show the right commitment and attitude, the pathway is there for all.
Both players have one goal in mind: to move this club forward. Their dedication is the foundation on which we build the next phase of our progress. Both have set the standard to the younger boys with their experience, attitude, and belief and these are the components required to drive our club forward.

This season is another opportunity to grow stronger, climb higher, and chase something bigger. And with these players on board, we know we’ve got the strength, the unity, and the talent to make that happen.” 

First Team Manager, Simon Johnson had this to say on Jay and Lucas signing for the First Team: 

“Jay and Tappers both came into the squad at the back end of last season after impressing with the u18’s and with Woodcote at Step 7.

If we’re honest, they played a huge part in ensuring we stayed in the league last season, Jay came in and put in some brilliant performances both at full back and in midfield and looked like he’d played the level for years. Tappers came in and immediately started finding the back of the net. In my opinion they will both go onto great things in non league, so it’s great that they’ve chosen to continue with us this season.

A shout out to Johno and his management team in the u18’s as well as everyone at Woodcote for developing these guys so far. We hope we can continue to help them as they go through their journeys in non league.”