WHEN Reading Cricket Club elect their next list of officers and additional support team – which should start to happen next week – they will be hoping there will not be as many vacant roles left to fill as they had last year.

There were more than 10 and most of them had to be later filled voluntarily by chairperson Jacqui Salazar.

Not surprisingly, she is looking for some much-needed assistance as the new season approaches.

A club of Reading's size cannot hope to operate successfully without volunteers and this probably applies even more than ever in 2019 as they continue their battle for survival and bid to turn their fortunes around.

Just a few years ago they were among the strongest and most successful clubs in Berkshire, but their 1st XI have been relegated three seasons in a row and now find themselves in Division 2B of the Thames Valley League.

Worrying news is Reading could struggle to keep some of the key players who narrowly failed to avoid the drop last season.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Sukhi Kang, their leading run-maker in 2018, and spinner Max Uttley, who both joined them a year ago from Finchampstead, have joined Home Counties League Division Two side Wokingham, while batsman Billy Rogers has the opportunity of returning to his old club Finchampstead or going to High Wycombe.

Incidentally, Wycombe look set to benefit the most from major internal changes at league rivals Slough, who are likely to lose many of their leading players after long-serving skipper and club chairman Bobby Sher had been surprisingly ousted from the club.

A WARNING to Reading FC fans planning to support the Under 23s team at Flackwell Heath in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup quarter-final tie next Tuesday.

Parking the car at Wilks Park and in the lane leading to the ground is virtually out of the question.

The best place is the nearby housing estate on the north-east side of the stadium, a short walk away.

Royals should be capable of winning the tie, but the Hellenic League club, managed by Reading-based Marcus Richardson, will certainly be no pushovers.