When asked to sum up 2024, from both a personal perspective and from a Reading Football Club standpoint, Noel Hunt described the year as a ‘whirlwind.’

For the iconic former striker, Hunt lead the Under-21s to a PL2 play-off semi-final, qualified for European competition and picked up a second Berks and Bucks Senior Cup title.

This is before you take into account the month of December, where the Irishman signed a long-term deal as manager of his beloved football club following the departure of Ruben Selles to Hull City.

For the club, where does one even begin?

On January 1, the Royals hauled themselves out of the relegation zone following a 3-2 victory over Exeter City, and since then the trajectory has largely been an upward one.

Finishing 17th in League One, despite sitting as far adrift as 10 points at the bottom in November, almost 19,000 supporters turned out for the final home match as Blackpool were beaten 3-2.

The feel-good factor was strong and the players and staff piled into the Purple Turtle bar to celebrate the season with supporters.

And as for 2024/25, starting in August, the Royals have been formidable at home and now head into 2025 sat in the play-off places following back-to-back wins over the festive period.

Speaking after a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town on December 29, Hunt said: “For Reading Football Club, I’d sum it up with great characters and resilient. For me, it’s been a whirlwind. Everyone knows my story, so I don’t need to say it, but I’m here to service the players and give the boys every opportunity to play their best stuff and give them solutions when they need it. Them boys are decision-makers, running the hard yards and have the desire. I have the desire to win, I love winning, and you fall in love with these players because they share the same desire. They have been outstanding.”