Most loyal? (And he’s a Royal)
By: Ben |
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Every supporter at Madejski Stadium makes a plede of loyalty to Reading FC - but West Stand season ticket holder Charles McLeod has a very special story to tell because he lives in Canada!
Charles grew up in Reading, and followed the Club until emigrating to Canada in 1965.
He continued to follow the Royals from afar, and upon his retirement a couple of years ago, he decided he would become a season ticket holder - despite a round trip in excess of 7,000 miles whenever he comes over!
Charles explains, “I went to my first Reading game in 1958 when I was going to school in Reading, and it was a 1-1 draw against Brighton.
“I followed Reading quite closely until 1965 when I emigrated to Canada. After that, in pre-internet days, it was often difficult to even find out the scores, never mind league tables, who was in the team, who was scoring goals etc!
“By the late 1990s the internet had made it much easier to follow Reading again, and I started going to a few games when visiting relatives in the UK.
“By 2007 a few more things had happened: Reading were in the Premiership and I had retired so I had the time and resources to consider getting a season ticket.
“I’ve been a season ticket holder for two seasons now, and have renewed for the 2009/10 season.
“Last season I travelled to England about once a month and saw (I think) 11 home games plus four away games, as well as the two play-off games.
Everybody now, round of applause!
Category: Team News
Transfer Watch 24/06/09; Stars heading back to the Prem?
By: Ben | 1 Comment
I’ve been monitoring this one for the last few days and both BBC Sport and Sky Sports have been reporting increasing interest in Reading winger Stephen Hunt. Now, as mentioned last post, I wouldn’t have begrudged Hunt a move for various reasons (his lack of spark post-Christmas, always being mentioned in the media etc.) and it seems that it’s now moved onto a new level.
Out
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hunt fully came out and expressed his desire to seek a “fresh start away from the club” (click link for full interview). He mentions being loyal to the club and I think that the club’s failure to gain promotion, along with his poor form which ultimately cost him a first-team regular spot signalled the beginning of the end of Hunt’s Reading career. His desire and enjoyment at playing in the top tier is well documented, and maybe Hunt felt his personal need exceeded that of his beloved club. Either way, by him admitting on video that he needs to move will open up several doors, and it’s safe to say to I don’t think Stephen Hunt will be a part of Reading’s promotion challenge next season. And it’s not just me either, the club have come to terms with his wishes and decided not to stand in his way.
Boss Rogers told the Reading Chronicle
“I will always pay respect to players.
Once you’ve been in the Premier League and have shown that you can play in there, it can be very difficult to spend your time in the Championship.
It’s not something new, I think Stephen was looking to go last season but decided to stay right through thinking Reading might go up.”
Direct of Football Nicky Hammond agrees;
“Hunty has been fantastic for us. He wants a Premiership move having had one season in the Championship and I can understand that and if there is a deal that is right for all parties then we’ll have to have a look at it, but at this point there is not.”
More on this as it develops, including potential replacements.
The other player being flitted around by the media is star striker Kevin Doyle. It seems the initial interest from Wolves has sparked interest from familiar story clubs Everton, Sunderland and Spurs. Now I really don’t know about this, before I’d heard about the interest I was sure that Kev would remain one of the faithfuls and maybe even be in line for the available captaincy, but the more it increases, the more I can see him leaving. A £6.5m release clause is not likely to put a club off, infact it’s very good value for money, and again like Hunt before him, the prospect of top-tier football is very appealing. Certainly, a strikeforce of Ebanks-Blake and Doyle for Wolves would prove some spectacle but it’d very much be shortchanging Reading. Shane Long is arguably a replacement choice but I still feel he’s only a shadow of Doyle’s quality. Once Noel Hunt is back from injury I cannot see Long fighting the likes of Doyle and N.Hunt for a spot. He’s most definitely an exciting prospect and who knows, maybe the loss of Doyle is exactly what he needs to flourish. Most likely outcome if Doyle was to leave for me, would be for him to sign for Wolves where he’d be united with once Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. I maintain that Sunderland and Everton would not suit his style, and Spurs are maybe looking at higher qualities (c. Ruud VN).
Oh, there’s also talk of a double-deal for both of them, but eesh the implications are too long to try and write about right now.
In
Fresh from his time at Chelsea and Watford, Brendan is eyeing up young Chelsea star Jack Cork. Rogers worked with the 19 year old at both clubs, and sees the defender as a good addition to the squad. I only hope if the deal goes through he gets more time than our other promising youngster Simon Church has this season.
And finally, not so much a transfer, but Reading Reserve ‘keeper Ben Hamer has signed a new contract amidst talks of him becoming the new no.1 for the first-team. Sorry what? A 21-year old who spent the last 3 seasons at the likes of Brentford and Crawley over Adam Federici who played half the first team games last season and was nominated for the prestigious Australian Harry Kewell Award? Uhm, anyone else see the evident flaw there? Just me then. I mean, even Mikkel Andersson!…
Ta
Category: Team NewsTransfer Watch; 17/06/09
By: Ben | Add Comments
I’m loving the transfer market already, as an avid fan of the Football Manager games it’s always good to see some tasty moves in the real world.
Unfortunately, none of these are including the Royals.
The most recent news I can report on is;
Recently promoted Wolves have signed Hahnemann on a free after his contract was not renewed. Not really sure what to make of this. As stated before, for me it was time for Marcus to go. But nevertheless it’ll be weird to see him at our last-year-rivals after being synonymous with Reading for the last 7 years. Despite his increasing age, I think Marcus could do Wanderers wonders (tongue-twister) when called upon.
And The Sun have recently posted reports that
“Everton are going to step up their interest in Reading pair Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt after Royals boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed he is ready to cash in on the striker and midfielder.”
Now this one’s been dancing around for the last 2 seasons or so. Hunt’s been subject to speculation for a long while yet nothing’s come of it, whilst Doyle is the latest case. Everton were reportedly lining up a £2.4m offer last summer, but Hunt’s £6m release clause prevented this from really developing. Then, in the January transfer window it was a frantic last few hours as multiple tabloids were talking of a £5m swoop from Tottenham. Again, this didn’t happen and Stephen signed a new contract in February. Typically however, since that time he’s been largely non-existence for us, being dropped on numerous occasions. I personally would like to say he’ll get his game back next season but who knows? Maybe we should cash in on him while we can. As for Doyle, I think he’ll be one of the faithfuls and want to keep pushing for promotion.
Of course, nothing’s been ‘confirmed’ by Rogers or Reading, but if it does, you’ll hear it here.
Category: Team NewsFixture List 2009/10
By: Ben | Add Comments
Courtesy of the Reading FC website.
Pre-season
Wed 15th Jul - Didcot Town A
Sat 18th - Kettering Town A
Sat 18th - Tooting & Mitcham A
Mon 20th - Graeme Murty Testimonial H
Thu 23rd -Jonsereds IF A
Sat 25th -Tolo IF A
Tue 28th - Qviding FIF A
Sat 1st Aug - Chelsea H
Coca-Cola Championship
August
Sat 8th - Nottm Forest H
Tue 11th - Burton Albion H (Carling Cup)
Sat 15th - Newcastle A
Tue 18th - Swansea A
Sat 22nd - Sheff Utd H
Sat 29th - Barnsley A
September
Sat 12th - Doncaster H
Tue 15th - Cardiff H
Sat 19th - Peterborough A
Sat 26th - Watford H
Tue 29th - Preston A
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Team NewsWhat’s been, and what’s to come…
By: Ben | Add Comments
As the season’s drawn to a close, we look to the pre-season, facing such teams as Chelsea and Didcot, as well as a tour of Sweden. So let’s reminisce.
Past
Goalkeeper Adam Federici scoring a 95th minute winner from a corner to secure a 2-2 draw with Cardiff, 26/12/08.
Future
We’ll face Newcastle FC once again following their relegation to the Championship. They’ll certainly be a force to be reckoned with as they, along with the Royals, look for a return to the top-flight.
End of the season doesn’t mean I’ll be gone; expect updates from the latest transfers to forthcoming news. Mario Balotelli on loan from Inter anyone?
Ta!
Category: Team NewsRogers confirmed as new Royals’ boss.
By: Ben | 2 Comments
I didn’t realise I hadn’t published the previous post, aghrjgusidai! Exams are killing me, I swear.
Anyway!
This morning Reading FC confirmed that ex-Watford manager Brendan Rogers would be in charge the Royals next season.
“I am absolutely overjoyed to be returning to Reading, a club that has always been close to my heart. This is a fantastic opportunity and I cannot wait to get started. This is a new cycle for Reading Football Club and I am delighted to be the man chosen to lead the Club to more success.”
Rogers was appointed at Watford in November 2008, when the Hornets were just one point above the relegation zone, and he led them all the way to 13th position, a respectable feat. His history with Reading is rife, playing short-term and working his way up through coaching the Academy before his switch to Chelsea.
Chairman Sir John Madejski said, “Brendan is the perfect fit for Reading Football Club. He was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field of applicants. He knows the Club extremely well, he has worked at the highest level and has every attribute we were looking for in a new manager.”
Category: Team NewsWhere to start? Or finish as it so seems…
By: Ben | Add Comments
7 A Levels in 10 days does nothing for wonders, so I’ve been busy badgering away at the Cold War, Current Account Deficits, and Auxiliary Adverb Phrases whilst still keeping an eye on the footballing world, just not as much I would have wanted to.
It’s pretty common news by now, but Burnley secured a return to top tier football for 33 years via the Play-Offs. Congratulations to the Clarets, they thoroughly deserved it on the day.
They successfully and convincingly shrugged off two legs versus the Royals (two legs in which we played some of the best football post-Christmas) and then turned no heads by beating Sheffield United in the final. Burnley join Wolves and Birmingham in the Premiership next season.
The week that followed Reading’s failure to win promotion was one of mass change, and in my opinion, a necessary one. Steve Coppell, after 6 campaigns at the helm of the Royals called it a day, ending his reign as one of the most successful Reading managers to date. I was so pleased he stayed on after our relegation in 2007/08 and it was with a heavy heart that I heard of his departure less than 24 hours after the Burnley game. Who can forget the record 106 points to clinch the Championship, and the one place short of European football in our first top-flight season. Thanks Steve, and best wishes for whatever you decide to take on next.
Along with the manager leaving, Assistant manager Kevin Dillon and First Team Coach Wally Downes will also not have their contracts renewed. They’ve been an integral part of the club and again, best wishes to those two.
The club also confirmed that the contracts of Leroy Lita, Marcus Hahnemann, Graeme Murty, and Michael Duberry will not be renewed. Despite being the end of an era for these promotion winners, I feel it was the right move for the club to make. I couldn’t quite understand the dropping of Federici after Hahnemann returned from injury, and it’ll be interesting to see what Adam can do with his first team place next season. None of the 4 had particularly spectacular seasons, Murty being loaned to Charlton and Lita finding himself slipping down the pecking order. They join Bobby Convey in being part of the promotion winning team to leave, and I hope this change of structure and team will provide a new stage in the club’s history.
As for players coming in, the summer transfer window will certainly provide us with options. I also noticed that Ipswich have let Dan Harding go. Dan had a brilliant run-in to the season finale, filling in for the absent Chris Armstrong at left-back. If we can get him on a free transfer, it’ll certainly prove a bargain.
And so the hunt for a new manager begins. John Madejski has confirmed there are a lot of interested parties, but presses that he is in no rush to find the ‘right’ man for the job. There are numerous rumours going round, and we’ll see what comes of them.
Ta!
Category: Team NewsSeason Finale Day in Reading; Pictures and Highlights
By: Ben | Add Comments
Ignore the name, these are the right highlights;
And a few select photos;
Category: Team NewsPlay-offs here we come.
By: Ben | Add Comments
It was a noble effort, but one that was too little too late. There was never more than a slim chance Reading would reach Automatic Promotion, and multiple scenarios could have panned out depending on different results throughout the League. Despite this, sods law they turned out to be just what what we wanted!
Other results across the board;
Burnley 4-0 Bristol City
Charlton 4-2 Norwich
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sheff Utd
Ipswich 2-1 Coventry
Nottm Forest 3-1 Southampton
Plymouth 1-2 Barnsley
Preston 2-1 QPR
Reading 1-2 Birmingham
Sheff Wed 1-0 Cardiff
Swansea 0-1 Blackpool
Watford 3-1 Derby
Wolves 1-0 Doncaster
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Rosenior, Bikey, Duberry (c), Harding (Doyle 56); Kebe, Tabb, Karacan (Matejovski 54), S.Hunt; Long, Kitson.
Subs not used: Federici, Cisse, Gunnarsson.
Blues (4-4-2): Taylor; Carr, Jaidi, Taylor, Traore; McFadden (Larsson 65), Johnson, Carsley (c), Fahey; Jerome (O’Connor 80), Phillips (Bouazza 72).
Subs not used: Doyle, Bent.
As the much anticipated last day arrived, the weather in Berkshire could not have been better. The sun shined, and it was warm with a slight breeze, completely unlike last season’s stifling hot relegation battle. Walking into the Madejski you were surrounded by a sell-out blue and white sea, and the noise was enough to bring out the neighbours complaining.
Right from kick-off, Reading played well. The ball was fed well and a few breakthroughs, though coming to nothing, showed off our more ostentatious side. Kebe had a great chance, latching onto the end of a fantastic cross from Bikey. He cut inside of the defence, into the box, but the finish wasn’t quite enough, Taylor catching the ball easily and with no real discomfort. However this great run of play only lasted until the 10th or so minute, when things went far far astray. One stray cross led to another, and slopping passing and lacklustre possession became the regular style of play. Birmingham however, took the reigns and grabbed the game by the throat. It was no surprise then, when the chances started. What was a surprise, was first goal. Granted, the Blues were floating the ball round well, and the goal capped off a well crafted move, but what riled me about the nature of the goal was that Cameron Jerome, in an offside position when the ball was hit, was stood directly infront of Hahnemann, and raised his leg as the ball slid under him. This appeared to hinder Hahnemann, who you’d bet your house on to save that kind of shot on any other day. Keith Fahey was accredited with the goal.
As mentioned in the Norwich report, Kebe and Hunt were on opposite wings than it would seem sensible to play them in; Kebe on the left and Hunt on the right. I’m not one to disturb a winning side though, and it seemed to be working out. Reading, despite both goals on Monday coming from crosses, seemed reluctant to place a ball inside the Birmingham box. When one finally did, Rosenior the architect, the Reading forwards simply stood and watched, all it needed was a toe stuck in the way, but nothing came. On that disappointing note, the first half finished.
During the break, the stadium found out that United were still being held to a draw by Palace, and this kept what little hopes we had still alive.
In the second half, Reading looked the less lively of the two teams. Hunt and Kebe switched back to the ‘regular’ set-up in an attempt to beat the offside trap. Again, Birmingham often broke and Reading passes often went astray. Duberry especially was not showing his experience, often looking sketchy at the heart of the defence. Shortly into the half, on-loan defender Dan Harding was replaced with much missed Kevin Doyle, and Karacan made way for Matejovsky. Stephen Hunt moved to left-back, and Kitson played the wing role. The effect was immediate. Birmingham were being closed down a lot quicker, and once again the spark was in the Royals’ game.
I feared this was too late for us, and was proved right as the visitors got a second, though again swamped in controversy. Fahey clipped a pass to Phillips, and he cooly slotted into the corner whilst the home side appealed for an offside. The flag however, stayed down. Now I was sat right in line with the pass on the day and I thought Phillips had mistimed his run, appearing just infront of the back line. After watching replays…I’m still sure it shouldn’t have stood.
Only a minute later, Matejovsky echoed what I’ve been saying for a lot of the season, showing his talent by bringing the ball into the Brum box, dummying, shooting, hitting the back of the net through the beautifully placed bottom-corner shot. It was a great feeling, the sea of white and blue exploding.
And he nearly did it again, 3 minutes later running circles around the defence and shooting with pristine fashion from a tight angle. Taylor was forced into a fantastic save, and then brought Shane Long down sprawling for the ball. No penalty was given and I’m not too surprised to say the least. After his shocker in the Premiership last weekend, referee Howard Webb was not going to be giving any spot-kicks that he had any doubt about. Despite looking good at the front now, there was space at the back, and Gary O’Connor hit the Reading woodwork on the break. As we entered the 6 minutes of added time, it was far too late for Reading by now, and the 2,000 travelling fans were the ones celebrating when the whistle finally blew.
I’m not too bitterly dissapointed, our home form has let us down, and since then noone’s been expecting less than play-offs. We face Burnley, a good passing team, and we need to be aware of the threat they pose in the middle of the field. The first leg will be away on Saturday, the second following at home on Tuesday the 12th.
Until then, I’ll get some media up to ease the pain. Ha!
URZZ
Category: Team NewsDown to the wire.
By: Ben | Add Comments
Amazing.
Brilliant.
And about time too!
Reading went into Monday’s game knowing that anything less than a win would leave their already slim hopes of Automatic Promotion in tatters. Results from the weekend went our way, Preston did the job again and beat Birmingham 2-1, fresh on the back of that demolition of Cardiff. The Brummies surrendered a one goal lead, a promising thought for this weekend.
Thus, the only Championship game on the Monday began… Norwich had the definite advantage of the run-of-play, as they dominated in strength and possession all throughout the first 45 minutes. Glen Little suffered a hamstring problem in the 42nd minute, and Coppell wasted no time replacing him with Stephen Hunt. No surprises there. What was unusual however, was that Kebe stayed on the left wing, and Hunt took to the right, supposedly both on their weaker sides. The gamble payed off extremely well however, when in the second half Kebe put a great cross into the box not once, but twice, and both were met with the head of Shane Long, who buried them into the net. If recent performances are anything to go by, the young Irishman (stop me if you’ve heard this before?) will be a vital part of any Premiership team. Long understandably got Man of the Match, but for me, special mention had to go to Bikey. The centre-back used his speed and power to cut out several potentially dangerous Norwich attacks, and the team will have felt more comfortable in knowing of his presence.
Fast-forward 5 days and you reach present time. Reading v. Birmingham. Last day of the season. Automatic Promotion hopes on the line. In the reverse fixture last December, we secured a comfortable 3-1 victory away, but Birmingham have proved their resilience; just look at the 10 man 2-1 win over Wolves. McLeish’s side will be doing everything in their power to secure a return straight back into the Premiership as will the Royals, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Reading have every chance tomorrow. A sell-out crowd means the atmosphere will be rife with expectations.
Perfect scenario? Beat Birmingham, Sheffield United fail to win at Palace.
Prediction? I don’t like flirting with chance, haha, sorry!
Play up Palace!
Next post, after the drink’s worn off.
Category: Team News
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