READING Football Club are to rename the North Stand at the Madejski Stadium after former academy coach Eamonn Dolan.
The Galway native passed away at the age of 48 last month following a battle with cancer, but he leaves an enormous legacy at the club following a 12-year relationship with the Royals.
During his spell at Reading, the club developed a reputation for bringing young players over from Ireland – such as Shane Long and Kevin Doyle – and turning them into multi-million pound players.
Reading recently asked their supporters to provide suggestions on who they believe the North Stand should be named after, prompting a unanimous reaction from fans in favour of Dolan.
A club statement said: "The tragic news of Eamonn Dolan’s passing last month sparked an overwhelming and emotional call from our fans to name the North Stand after a man who not only helped Reading Football Club achieve unparalleled success during 12 memorable years at Madejski Stadium, but who has left an indelible legacy which will last long into this club’s future.
"Thank you to all who put forward suggestions, for our supporters’ unanimous support with this project and to all who have left tributes on social media and in the book of condolence at Madejski Stadium over the last couple of weeks."
The club enjoyed a successful period during his time at the club, having twice achieved promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship in 2006 and 2012 and finishing eighth in the top tier in 2007, the club’s highest ever league finish.
Dolan is credited with building a strong underage system at the club, with their Under 21 side winning the Premier League Cup in in 2014, while he also managed the first team briefly in 2013 following the sacking of Brian McDermott.
The Eamonn Dolan Stand will officially open on Saturday, August 6, when Reading host Preston North End on the opening day of the new season, while London Irish Rugby Football Club will continue to play in front of the same stand at the Madejski Stadium when their new season gets underway later in the year.
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