READING YMCA FC have appointed Richard Wilkinson as their new first-team manager ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Previous boss Lee Kitching stepped down from his role in May having led the team to glory in the BTC Senior Cup in the 2022/23 campaign.
The Thames Valley Premier League side will now be under the management of Wilkinson, who played for Woodley United, Henley Town and Reading Town in his playing days before starting his coaching career a decade ago.
He formed the junior side Calcot Royals and still helps to run the club and combines this role as a Reading FC pre-academy coach.
Wilkinson said: “Reading YMCA have a great reputation in local grassroots football and I am excited about stepping back into men’s football and managing the team. The club create a really positive environment so it seemed the right club for me and the players I hope to bring on board. We have a really strong squad already and I hope to build on this with my links to young players and providing a pathway for them to transition from junior grassroots and academies. Hopefully this will deliver success for the club.”
Club chairman Mark Lemm added: “Having so few managers over such a long period demonstrates that we back our managers and they enjoy being part of the club.
“We had a lot of interest in the role but we were keen to appoint someone who had good contacts with young players and was aligned with our club values. Rich ticked all the boxes.”
