Written by
Training Ground Guru
October 22, 2024
Antoine Thompson has left his role as Head of Academy Operations at Reading to become an Academy Auditor with the Premier League.
Thompson joined the Royals from Cheltenham Town in July 2022 and played a key role in them being promoted back to Category One status a year later. The club had been demoted to Category Two for a season after issues were identified with a lack of staff and facilities not being open following the move to Bearwood Park during the Covid pandemic.
Thompson helped make sure that Reading were compliant with the different provisos of EPPP and impressed the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) when they came to audit the club. Now he has moved to the ‘other side’ as an Academy Auditor with PGAAC.
Writing on LinkedIn, Thompson said: “Thank you Michael Gilkes (Reading Academy Manager) for believing, employing and giving me the opportunity to work for a top Academy. I always saw myself as the number eight in midfield, working hard, linking departments and doing whatever is required to give the Academy the foundations to thrive.
“My best highlight is without doubt getting our Category One status back. I shall miss how we always managed to get things done! I will miss the staff sense of humour which kept spirits high and motivated us to do the best we could even through the hardship.
“Thank you and best wishes to all at Reading Football Club.”
Reading ranked 17th in our recent Academy Productivity Rankings, down from 13th in 2021/22.
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