Players at Reading who you had completely forgotten about

[bakerlou]

Mark McKeever

I remember him playing in the 4-0 win away at Stoke (I thought he scored two, but the website says only one), and I thought he was going to tear up the league, but he quickly disappeared into non-league.

Looking at his Wikipedia page, I read why: "However, over the following weeks, Stoke full-back Jason Kavanagh made a full catalogue of Division Two wingers look like Best at his peak."

Jason Kavanagh scored a OG for Reading whilst playing for Derby County, in a 1-0 win (well, a loss for him) at Elm Park in 1994/5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbmCnFElD2c

BUT

the most memorable thing about that day

You're going to have to remind me Papes, WTF was all that about?

[Ark Royal]

Ian Porterfield. Ex-Sunderland FA Cup-winning legend had a short loan spell in 1976 before becoming manager in 1989.

[West F]

Peter Castle l believe still hold the record for Readings youngest ever player. We were 3-0 up away at Watford. He came on for the final 15 minutes. He never played professional football again. And yet his name is on the board of acadamy players who played for the first team. With the like of Gylfie,Long and Olisie.

Bonuses were paid to the academy staff for players who went on to make first team appearances, not necessarily careers for the club. Players also receive bonuses for appearing on the bench, even if they do not get on during the match. It can lead to some ‘manipulation’ of match day squads by the manager and some strange substitutions. Managers will take youngsters for the experience it provides but, Patton’s appearance on the bench would have meant bonuses were paid to him and probably the scout who brought him in after Tuesday night.

[stealthpapes]

Jason Kavanagh scored a OG for Reading whilst playing for Derby County, in a 1-0 win (well, a loss for him) at Elm Park in 1994/5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbmCnFElD2c

BUT

the most memorable thing about that day

You're going to have to remind me Papes, WTF was all that about?

I am not sure this helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCa7VUAiAYo&t=87s

Uri Geller decided to do a HT mind trick, giving every fan in the seats coloured cards. He thought of a colour and got the fans to hold up the cards.
It went about as well as you could expect.

Had no idea SJM was involved. Disappointing that the video doesn't show the reveal after which derision poured down from the Southbank in a way only the Southbank could do.

[Sanguine]

Not 'forgotten', but it seems bizarre to think that Emi Martinez, World Cup winner and two time Yashin Trophy winner, was our keeper only six years ago, given what he has fit in since then.

Tiago Ilori I had completely forgotten about. Signed by Liverpool as a future star, it didn't work out, thought he'd be a great signing in the Championship, but he rarely stood out. Played many more league games for Reading (53) than he has for anyone else. Currently at FC Dila, in the Georgian top tier.

[what_wind_turbine?]

And lets not forget Bongani Khumalo and Joao Virginia. I also keep forgetting we took Glen Murray on loan as well.

Who was they guy who had the nickname "The Beast" who came on as a substitute in his first game (might have been the first game of the season?) and scored a thunderbolt?

Mathieu Manset against Millwall at home on the opening day, possibly around 2011?

May be misremembering, but seem to remember signed around the same time was Cedric Baseya. A forward who didn't score a senior goal until 6+ years into his career

[stealthpapes]

And lets not forget Bongani Khumalo and Joao Virginia. I also keep forgetting we took Glen Murray on loan as well.

Who was they guy who had the nickname "The Beast" who came on as a substitute in his first game (might have been the first game of the season?) and scored a thunderbolt?

Mathieu Manset against Millwall at home on the opening day, possibly around 2011?

May be misremembering, but seem to remember signed around the same time was Cedric Baseya. A forward who didn't score a senior goal until 6+ years into his career

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcs4kk

[Forbury Lion]

Mario Noto is one I always remember (so technically not forgotten), simply because he was listed on the bench or squad at Millwall away and we all had no idea who he was.
0 First team appearances.

From Spurs I signed for Reading FC and played under Brendan Rodgers and Alan Padrew. I was involved with the first team squad regularly but did not make an appearance for the 1st team. Which I was gutted about as thought I deserved to be and I firmly believe if Alan Padrew did not depart for West Ham then things may have been different.

After Reading I had a 3 month trial with Crystal Palace which again I thought I was a tad unlucky not to get a deal but they had just been promoted to the prem and were able to sign players with more experience.
I went to Italy for a period of time after Palace to 1. Clear my head as I was disillusioned with the game as I was always an honest player that worked hard and had ability but just didn’t have that bit of luck needed. Looking back it wasn’t the right move but at least I got to spend time with family.
I came back and had a successful trial with Nationwide conference club at the time Canvey Island and began my non league journey.

[scumbag]

Mathieu Manset against Millwall at home on the opening day, possibly around 2011?

May be misremembering, but seem to remember signed around the same time was Cedric Baseya. A forward who didn't score a senior goal until 6+ years into his career

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcs4kk

[Brum Royal]

Gareth Davies


Now 51, retired from the game at 29 due to persistent knee problems. Played about 20 league games for Reading and was the epicentre of Bodingate.

Keith Scott


Now 58. Retired in 2006 though still turns out in occasional charity/old boy affairs. Shocked everyone when the club suddenly paid £250k for him on transfer deadline day in March 1999 as Wycombe were desperately short of money - about 30 league games and not much return goals wise over 2 years. Another one of Tommy Burns’ great ideas - and there were loads of them.

Thank you to both of you for responding to this. Both of these are correct.
I’d like to add Brayson and the other McIntyre to this (from Burns’ period, not Tom).

Don't remember much of Brayson, but Jim McIntyre was initially a very hopeless forward who got moved to play at left midfield/wing and then looked pretty competent in that Division 2 ( current League 1) team. Might have been part of the 00/01 play off final squad, depending if I'm a year out or not on my memories.

McIntyre actually features in the "Ding Archive" X account today with one of the "On this day" posts - scored the third with a decent header in a 3-1 win at Rotherham. Butler and Curo got the other two. I think I might have been at this one too.

[stealthpapes]

McIntyre started the final, subbed for Rougier.

[From Despair To Where?]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbmCnFElD2c

BUT

the most memorable thing about that day

You're going to have to remind me Papes, WTF was all that about?

I am not sure this helps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCa7VUAiAYo&t=87s

Uri Geller decided to do a HT mind trick, giving every fan in the seats coloured cards. He thought of a colour and got the fans to hold up the cards.
It went about as well as you could expect.

Had no idea SJM was involved. Disappointing that the video doesn't show the reveal after which derision poured down from the Southbank in a way only the Southbank could do.

It's just a shame the fans didn't collude to spell out "FRAUD".

[jonnyroyal1871]

A while back I had a go at recent-ish players with common surnames who I reckon most fans would find hard to place. Here's some:

A Smith
N Smith
B Smith
K Jones
S Brown
A Wright
B Roberts
J Young
M Dobson
J Kelly
S Kelly
J Taylor
R Scott

Yep remember all of them.

Alex Smith
Neil Smith
Ben Smith
Keith Jones
Steve Brown
Alam Wright
Ben Roberts
Jamie Young
Martin Dobson
Julian Kelly
Sean Kelly
Jake Taylor
Rashawn Scott

Neil Smith and Steve Brown were the only ones to really make a substantial impact.


I was at Ben Smith's debut (and possibly only appearance?) away to Man City at Maine Rd. Last game of the season, we were 2 up at half time, he came on as a sub for the second half and we lost 3-2.

I was at that game too. I did a lot of northern away games that season. I stayed to applaud the City players after the game. Many of us did. Dunno why - overawed by the old ground? Dunno....

[jonnyroyal1871]

Steve blatherwick
Jim Leighton
Chris woods
Kevin Lisbie

Steve Blatherwick set up Archie's equaliser in the injury time 1-0 down, 2-1 win against McGhee's Wolves where the injury time only occured because of an injury to Gilksey, who was playing for Wolves. I thinks that almost qualifies him for legend status

I'll raise you a Tony Barras. Signed on loan from York, signed permanently, sold to Walsall all in the space of 6 months. Played against us in the 2001 playoff final.

I remember that game well. My son was newly born, and the wife and I had a big Wolves fan with us in the South bank. I've never seen such an eruption. Couldn't have named Mr Blatherwick though. Remember well the McGhee chant 'eff off Mark McGhee, oh what can it mean'

Jim Leighton, on a murky boxing day, can't remember the game much, stood on the other end, not the South Bank for a change. Think the game was dire...

[jonnyroyal1871]

Davies, CB. Gareth?

Gareth Davies


Now 51, retired from the game at 29 due to persistent knee problems. Played about 20 league games for Reading and was the epicentre of Bodingate.

Keith Scott


Now 58. Retired in 2006 though still turns out in occasional charity/old boy affairs. Shocked everyone when the club suddenly paid £250k for him on transfer deadline day in March 1999 as Wycombe were desperately short of money - about 30 league games and not much return goals wise over 2 years. Another one of Tommy Burns’ great ideas - and there were loads of them.

Thank you to both of you for responding to this. Both of these are correct.
I’d like to add Brayson and the other McIntyre to this (from Burns’ period, not Tom).

Saw Keith Scott score a stunner. Bradford maybe in a League cup game? Paul Brayson, there was a prototype Curo in him, it just never worked out. Remember him hitting the post away at Forest the day we got relegated. Rolled along the line and came out..

He went on after Cheltenham, Cardiff, and York to have a stellar non-league career, ended up with 300+ goals, and played well into his 40s.