Championship side Reading have today confirmed on their official website that club legend Michael Gilkes has become their new First Team coach.

The 52-year-old played for the Royals between 1984 and 1997 and went on to appear 486 times for the Berkshire outfit, netting 52 goals in the process.

The former winger was part of the Reading side that won the Simod Cup back in 1988, bagging the first in their 4-1 victory over Luton Town at Wembley Stadium, and was also part of the side that finished second in the old First Division back in 1995, before they lost to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final.

And now the club have officially confirmed that Gilkes will make the step up from Reading Under-18s manager to first team coach to become part of Jaap Stam’s coaching team ahead of the remainder of the Championship season.

The Royals have made a solid start to the new season with two wins and a draw from their opening five matches, with successes over Aston Villa and Birmingham intertwined with disappointing away defeats at Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End, alongside a draw with Fulham.

And fans’ favourite and club legend Gilkes will now have the chance to help the first team in their quest to sustain a Championship promotion push this season.

The Verdict: They say that surrounding a club with legends who have given their all down the years can bring the best out of present players and indeed staff, so Michael Gilkes’ appointment as Reading’s new First Team Coach is likely to be met with delight by many Royals supporters.

The former winger spent 13 years at the Berkshire outfit during his playing career and became a fans’ favourite in that time, before returning to the club back in 2013 to pursue his career in coaching.

And the 52-year-old will now play a huge part in helping Reading boss Jaap Stam and the first team in their quest to build upon last year’s third place finish in the Championship.

Reading fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!