Reading have confirmed that goalkeeper Tom Norcott has joined Farnborough on a one-month loan.
The 21-year-old makes the move to the Saunders Transport Community Stadium after already spending time away from Reading earlier this season. Norcott previously featured on loan with Woking and Enfield Town, as the Royals continue to prioritise senior minutes for their young goalkeepers.
Norcott links up at Farnborough with familiar faces, including former Reading midfielder Aaron Kuhl, while the move also places him back in the National League South as he looks to build momentum following injury disruption earlier in the campaign.
Farnborough currently sit 20th in the division, having taken 25 points from 26 matches. Spencer Day’s side have collected seven points from their last six games and remain just above Hampton & Richmond Borough. The threat of relegation is real, and it means a test for the young Royals’ stopper.
Reading view
Reading’s head of goalkeeping, Rob Shay, explained that the club were keen to see Norcott back in competitive action after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“Tom was unfortunate to suffer a muscle injury in his first appearance for Enfield but has worked hard to regain fitness,” he told the Reading Chronicle.
“He has been performing really well within training and we are delighted he has the chance to get back out playing games so quickly after getting fit.”
The short-term switch continues Reading’s approach of placing young players in senior environments, with Norcott now set to compete for minutes as Farnborough look to pull clear of the relegation places.
Great chance for the keeper
This is a great chance for the young stopper. Keepers mature much later, and there is no rush to break through early, so this experience is vital. Many of the best keepers have loan spells elsewhere – Jordan Pickford had loans at Darlington and Alfreton before catching a ball in the Football League.
The fact that Norcott has joined a struggling side, haunted by relegation, is massive. He’ll be right in at the deep end, tasked with making saves, often taking abuse in those tight non-league grounds, and that will all be character-building for him.
These are the loans that can make or break a player.