new first team coach

[WoodleyRoyal]

Experienced coach appointed

Reading Football Club are delighted to announce that hugely-experienced Dean Wilkins is joining as First Team Coach.


Dean worked with our Manager Nigel Adkins and Assistant Manager Andy Crosby at Southampton to great success, and he has travelled with the Royals’ first team this week as they began pre-season training in the Midlands.


Nigel Adkins said, “I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring Dean in to join us. We had an excellent working relationship; myself him and Andy Crosby over the last couple of years and he has a wealth of experience. He is an excellent coach and I am sure he can help keep improving our players.”


50-year-old Dean has great experience on three fronts; as a player, coach and manager. He made more than 400 appearances as a player, the majority for Brighton but also overseas with MyPa in Finland and PEC Zwolle in Holland.


He took over as Brighton manager when former Royal Mark McGhee departed in 2006, and was in charge of Albion for more than 100 games, having been associated with the club for over twenty years in a number of positions.


Ex-Royals boss Alan Pardew then appointed him to his Southampton staff in 2009, and after a spell as caretaker boss at St Mary’s he became a key part of Adkins’ staff, along with Andy Crosby, that earned back-to-back promotions from League One up to the Premier League.


And of course Dean has a great football heritage, with his brothers Ray and Graham playing at the top level, as well as his father George. We would like to wish him every success as he joins us here at Reading Football Club.

Read more at http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article ... VI3cCGm.99

[TBM]

That'll please the Brighton fans

[SPARTA]

That'll please the Brighton fans

Why would they care that a former coach who has worked for Southampton since, has joined us?

[maffff]

Good experience:

Previously first team coach at Brighton, succeeded McGhee as manager, left Brighton when they appointed Mickey Adams and wanted him to revert to being a coach.

Worked under Pardew as Assistant Manager. Caretaker manager when he left [3 games, lost 3] then stayed there and worked under Adkins as first team coach / assistant [looks like those two and Crosby worked as a triumvirate?].

How long until Jim Stannard joins us too then as 'first team goalkeeping coach'? Watch your back Bibbo [or are you off to work with the kids?].

[sandman]

I'd be very surprised if Bibbo's job was in jeopardy. For a man who used to do a more than passable impression of a juggler when he played he must be one of the best GK coaches in the country.

[winchester_royal]

Good stuff, Saints fans think a lot og him

[AirRaidSiren]

That'll please the Brighton fans

Why would they care that a former coach who has worked for Southampton since, has joined us?

Cause of the dislike towards us from them.

Good apointment.

[ZacNaloen]

I'd be very surprised if Bibbo's job was in jeopardy. For a man who used to do a more than passable impression of a juggler when he played he must be one of the best GK coaches in the country.

Just shows that good player doesn't necessarily = good coach or even manager.

[Barry the bird boggler]

As a matter of interest given we're after EPPP status how many coaching positions remain at the club from youngsters right up to the first team? Presumably between Wilkins, Bibbo and Crosby the fist team squad is now covered but interested to know how short we are (if at all) behind the scenes coaching wise.

[TBM]

That'll please the Brighton fans

Why would they care that a former coach who has worked for Southampton since, has joined us?

Cos they hate Adkins as it is and seem to dislike us for the Poyet thing last season and "nicking" Bridge this season....

[sandman]

As a matter of interest given we're after EPPP status how many coaching positions remain at the club from youngsters right up to the first team? Presumably between Wilkins, Bibbo and Crosby the fist team squad is now covered but interested to know how short we are (if at all) behind the scenes coaching wise.

[One8Seven1]

Very good appointment, happy with that!

[Ian Royal]

Presumably between Wilkins, Bibbo and Crosby the fist team squad is now covered

Plus (is it still?) Halabi the fitness coach.

We do seem to have been light on coaching staff since Rodgers went, so I think this is long over due.

Glad we've got someone with plenty of experience. Positive that he's got experience from abroad as well.

[Wipped]

sounds like another step in the right direction. i'm bored now. come on 3rd august, I need some football.

[Gordons Cumming]

sounds like another step in the right direction. i'm bored now. come on 3rd august, I need some football.

Bored?

Wimbledon, The Lions Tour, The Ashes, British Open.............???

Football can wait!!

[Gordons Cumming]

[winchester_royal]

sounds like another step in the right direction. i'm bored now. come on 3rd august, I need some football.

Bored?

Wimbledon, The Lions Tour, The Ashes, British Open.............???

Football can wait!!

Nah, all that's just an aperitif

Bring on the main course

[Wipped]

sounds like another step in the right direction. i'm bored now. come on 3rd august, I need some football.

Bored?

Wimbledon, The Lions Tour, The Ashes, British Open.............???

Football can wait!!

i hate tennis. i especially the annual team gb needs to win it fest. thankfully i managed to miss the whole tournement. i hate the rugby. the really hate the cricket, and most certainly don't like golf.

i like football, nails, shoes and decorating. the latter is terrible for the nails though.

[winchester_royal]

lattest*

[howser]

That was a surprise, never saw anything about us chasing a new coach ! interesting times at the mad stad, we knew about Drenthe and Bridge, Pearce re-signing came out of the blue as did Danny Williams signature, more surprises to come yet maybe ?????