Where to start? Or finish as it so seems…
By: Ben | June 5th, 20097 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 News
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