It is with sadness that Cropredy Football Club formally announce the resignations of First Team Manager Kieran Reading and Assistant Manager Lee Waters.

Reading joined the club in the uncertain summer of 2020 mid-covid lockdown, when he set up the club’s inaugural Development Team. After a curtailed initial season (4th place after ten games in OSL Division Two), football finally returned in summer 2021 and Reading was joined by Waters as his assistant as the Development team completed the ‘double’ winning the 2021-22 Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two title and the Ivor Gubbins Cup. Another impressive season followed in 2022-23 when the newly promoted Development Team looked to complete another double, sustaining a Division One title charge late into the season but eventually finished in fifth place and were cruelly defeated in extra time of the final of the Clarendon Cup. Many players that have represented the club in recent years have been introduced by Reading and his tireless work on social media and by using his own Veo camera has helped the club gain more exposure.

Last summer Reading and Waters took over the management of the club’s first team. Unfortunately a mass turnover of players, and an unprecedented amount of change at the club meant for an impossibly difficult season. However, the diligence, work ethic and resilience the pair showed throughout was commendable.

Kieran Reading

“I’ll be forever grateful for my 4 years being involved at Cropredy. My thanks go out to former chairman Ryan Holmes for allowing me to join the club 4 years ago, and his support in setting up a Development side at the club. Thanks also to Loz who has been a massive help on and off the field In what has been a challenging season, and to Craig Fraser and Izzy Liverpool who have been great support over the last few seasons.
Many thanks to my assistant Lee Waters who undoubtedly was a huge part of the success we had with the Devs, and I wish him all the best as he goes off on his own management journey, of which I know he’ll do great things.
The past 4 years have been a mixture of huge success, and the most challenging season of my career this season. I’m disappointed to be leaving after such a tough season that’s ultimately ended in relegation for the club, ending an 8 year stay at Step 7 in the OSL Prem. I know the club will bounce back, and the hard work Loz is already doing behind the scenes will give them every opportunity to do so at the earliest opportunity.
Finally thanks to all the players that have played under me over the past 4 years. I’ve made some great friends, have some great memories, and it’s been a sense of pride to see how many young players we’ve introduced to adults football and developed along the way.
Having been heavily involved in grassroots football for the past 12 years, it is now the right time to step back, and spend some more time with my family and young son. I’ll still be a supporter of the club, getting along to watch games when I can, and will continue to support Loz and the club to move forward when possible.”

Lee Waters

“Thanks to the club for all support from behind the scenes which helps the club run smoothly

Thanks to Kieran for letting me come aboard in 2021 and giving me opportunity to coach, which is something I’ve enjoyed way more than I thought I would, and now have a passion for it.

Thank you to all the players that have been involved over the years, wouldn’t have won the double first season without them and for all their commitment and listening to me shouting from the sidelines

I wish Cropredy all the best going forward, it truly is a great club and is in safe hands with Loz.”

Chairman Lawrence O’Sullivan:

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Kieran and Lee for their efforts this season and for being great servants to Cropredy Football club over the past few years. Their work ethic is incredible and I doubt any coach puts in as many hours as Kieran does at this level. The pair leaving is an unfortunate loss for the club but I wish Kieran all the best in spending more time with his young family and Lee in following his own coaching ambitions. Kieran has worked very closely with me in ensuring a smooth transition for the club this summer and has offered his continued help in this which is gratefully accepted. I have been impressed watching some of Lee’s training sessions this season and I’m sure he will have success in his new venture”.

Lawrence O’Sullivan will take caretaker charge from 18th May during the transitional period as we seek a new First Team Manager.