FORMER players Jefferson Jones and Paul New have agreed to help Reading Cricket Club in trying to turn their fortunes around.

Two of the best pace bowlers in the club’s history, they will be part of a working party which also includes chairman Mick Southern, vice-chairman Jacqui Salazar, secretary Marc Salazar and Morgan Brennan.

Southern will stay on even though he is intending to stand down as chairman of the cricket section.

He says the need to address the severe problems and set-backs the club have suffered in the past year is of “paramount importance” with the recruitment of new players a priority.

Reading have already been heartened by the fact that one supporter has given them £1,000 to buy new shirts and tracksuit tops for the first team.

But a lot more sponsorship is required if they are to attract quality players, while Brennan is exploring ways of trying to secure grants from national bodies.

Southern added: “The working party had an initial meeting to identify our failings and shortcomings and make firm plans to address and hopefully remedy all areas in need of either change or rejuvenation.

“The hope is that we can hit the ground running for the 2017 season and then maintain that momentum. ”

Jack Beaven is set to be appointed first-team skipper, leaving Bobby Malik to concentrate on coaching.

  • THERE are going to be mixed emotions at Sonning Lane tomorrow.

Reading Hockey Club are still trying to recover from the shock of Ravi Ghowry’s death – just hours after he was filming a men’s match there.

On the pitch, the day will see the dawn of the new-look men’s and women’s national league teams, with both up against Holcombe.

Five Rio Olympians, including three gold medallists, have left the club, and there will be a lot of fresh young talent on view – even as many as 12 covering both teams – as the club starts to rebuild.

Perhaps one or two possible candidates for the 2020 Olympics will be wearing the blue of Reading.