Significant update emerges on Reading FC’s academy

Championship side Reading have lost their Category One academy status, according to a Twitter update from Berkshire Live journalist Jonathan Low.

The Royals have been renowned for bringing through some talented young players in recent times, with both Omar Richards and Michael Olise graduating from the second-tier side’s youth system.

Richards has gone on to play for Bayern Munich since then before returning to England this summer to join Nottingham Forest in a reported £10m deal, whilst Olise impressed during his first season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace.

Even some of their current first-teamers are academy graduates, with Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre and Luke Southwood all first-teamers after spending a considerable amount of time in the club’s youth setup.

Their success with younger players hasn’t just been a thing in recent years – but throughout the 21st century with Shane Long, Alex McCarthy, Hal Robson-Kanu, Michael Hector and others all plying their trade in the Premier League, either with or without the Royals.

However, their success could now be hampered after seemingly being downgraded to Category Two, with the Berkshire outfit set to be barred from playing in the Premier League 2 division if their status has indeed changed.

They will also receive less funding from the FA – a devastating blow for a side that has enjoyed a lot of success with its’ youth system. League rivals Birmingham City have also lost their Category One status in recent months.

The Verdict:

This is a big blow for the Royals at a time when things looked to be on the up.

Recruiting Shane Long earlier in the week, many of the second-tier side’s supporters were delighted with his return and the business the club has conducted this