Joey Barton has lost one of his coaching inner circle as goalkeeper coach Tony Warner has left Bristol Rovers to sign for Championship side Reading.
Warner was brought to the Mem by Barton last summer from Accrington Stanley, replacing David Coles, and formed a strong working relationship with Gas goalkeepers James Belshaw, Anssi Jaakkola and Jed Ward.
His impact with Belshaw was evident as the 31-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career as arguably the best goalkeeper in League Two as he went on to claim the club’s Player of the Year award.
In a birthday message to the 48-year-old last month, Rovers’ No1 Belshaw wrote on Twitter: “Big happy birthday to one of the best guys I know! Without him none of this is possible! Happy birthday big Tony Warner.”
Following news of Warner's departure, Belshaw tweeted: "Absolute pleasure to work with last season, all the best my mate, will be missed."
Warner had accompanied the squad on their post-season celebrations to Dubai and appeared to be well-settled in Bristol but the move along the M4 to the Royals reunites Warner with former Liverpool teammate Paul Ince.
The former England midfielder has been appointed on a permanent basis at the Select Car Leasing Stadium after holding the role of interim manager during last season.
In a short statement, Rovers said: "The club can confirm that goalkeeping coach Tony Warner has joined Championship side Reading.
"Tony joined the club in July 2021 and helped Joey Barton and the team achieve promotion to League One at the end of last season. The club would like to thank Tony for his efforts whilst at the club and we wish him the very best of luck for the future."
Warner is part of a Royals backroom shuffle with his predecessor as goalkeeper coach, James Bittner, now in an academy role and James Oliver-Pearce moving to the club from AFC Wimbledon as first-team coach.
Warner departs north Bristol six days before Rovers return to The Quarters to begin their pre-season preparations for the 2022/23 League One campaign.
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