Former Reading strike star, Noel Hunt, began work with our Academy at Bearwood Park this morning.
Reading Football Club is delighted to announce that former striker Noel Hunt has been appointed as Senior Professional Development Coach and was at Bearwood Park this morning to take training with our Under-23s for the first time.
Younger brother to fellow former Royal Stephen Hunt, Noel became a firm fans’ favourite during his playing career in RG2 as he played a vital part in helping the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2011-12.
The Waterford-born striker began his career in his native Republic of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers before crossing the Irish Sea to lead the line for Dunfermline Athletic and then Dundee United in Scotland – winning the Young Player of the Year accolade with the Pars and scoring against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup Final as a Terror.
In 2008, Steve Coppell lured him south of the border to join his brother at Reading and he scored on debut in a Carling Cup win at Dagenham & Redbridge.
During five enjoyable years as a Royal, Hunt scored some memorable goals in blue and white hoops - a 90th minute equaliser at Portman Road which sparked an injury time winner from his teammate Alex Pearce, the second of four scored at Upton Park to crucially beat promotion-rivals West Ham, euphoric backflip celebrations after goals that earned Premier League points against Newcastle United and Swansea City…not to mention being credited with the ghost goal at Vicarage Road!
Hunt came to embody a ‘never say die’ attitude at the club, demonstrating a work ethic out on the pitch which earned him the unequivocal appreciation of loyal Royals following the team at home and on the road. And, off the pitch, he formed the strongest of bonds with our Community Trust – regularly engaging with the local community by lending his time and ambassadorial support to a number of programmes which our charitable arm operate in the town and the surrounding area.
After leaving the club nearly nine years ago, the Republic of Ireland international’s playing career took him to Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Southend, Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic and then back to Ireland with Waterford before he began a coaching career at Swindon Town in 2018.
Now he is back! Once a Royal, always a Royal.
Academy Manager Michael Gilkes said, “Noel was a great player for this club, possessing all the attributes we want to instil in our young players within the Academy. He is an exemplary role model for our aspiring youngsters, a coach of the highest calibre and, put simply, a fantastic character to welcome back to our club.”
