New deals for Royals staff

By Mark Sugar
December 18 2003

Royals staff Niall Clark and Brian McDermott have been given contract extension's till the 2007/2008 season following rumours that ex Royal Alan Pardew may poach them at the end of the season.Brendan Rodgers has been apointed Academy Manager in place of Nick Hammond who is now Director of Football

1 reason why Alan Pardew was so succesful as Reading manager was the fact that he had brilant staff behind him working behind the scene's,and in particular Niall Clark and Brian McDermott.Clark came to the club in 2000 when then Academy Director John Stevenson bought him in as a fitness coach for the youth team.But when Pardew took the reign's in late September that year,he saw that Niall Clark could be of real use to him and the first team squad.Then at the start of the 2001/2002 season,Clark was installed as Sports Scientist,a role which basically means taking care of the fitness side of things on the training pitch leaving Pardew and Kevin Dillon on the football.This has proved to be a big hit with the players who says Clark has given them a total different view from a fitness side.Clark is the person who will instruct the Royals on there "different" warm up compared to other clubs,but it has worked.
It was thought ex Royal Pardew would try and take him to Upton Park at the end of the season but chairman John Madejski has made it clear no one will be leaving by handing him a new deal.

Brian McDermott is probably the one person that gets little praise for doing such an important job at the club.As well as being reserve team manager,Brian is also chief scout for RFC and every Saturday will be spent looking at other teams and key players as he prepare's Steve Coppell for the opposition.He is also the talent spotter and will pass on advice to Steve Coppell and Nick Hammond on good players he spots.McDermott has done a good job with the reserves,providing loyal royals some good football on a Wednesday afternoon.Both have signed new deals till the end of the 2007/2008 season.

Brendan Rodgers has been appointed new Academy Manager today following Nicky Hammond's new role as Director of Football.The role of Rodgers will be to work with Geoff Warner and fellow academy staff in order to get the best footballers in the Thames Valley.

On other Reading Football Club news this week,the injury situation finally looks like its clearing up with the news that Steve Brown and captain Adie Williams are both in contention for a start against Steve Coppell's former side Crystal Palace.Both started in Tuesday's 2-0 friendly defeat to Watford.Strikers Shaun Goater and Darius Henderson should hopefully be fit for the boxing day clash with Wimbledon.

Reading Vs West Ham has been moved to 12:30pm kick off on Saturday 3rd April due to Sky TV Coverage which will see the return of Alan Pardew after walking out on Reading earlier in the season to manage West Ham.

John Madejski has this week confirmed there is money in the transfer kity for Steve Coppell to strengthen his squad,in particular his striking options.This comes after the Royals were linked with Fulham striker Barry Hayles as a possible target.David Graham,Darren Huckerby,Sam Parkin,Patrick Ayegmang and Jamie Cureton have all been touted as possible players Coppell could be intrested in.

Nicky Forster is furious that his goal against Watford has been changed to an own goal now after a meeting by Football League Officials.His goal tally is now 11 for the season.Forster is still the leading scorer.