| Phil Whitehead
|
| Squad number |
1 |
| Position |
Goalkeeper |
| Signed from |
West Brom, October 1999, £250,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Halifax, Barnsley, Scunthorpe (Loan), Bradford (Loan),
Oxford, West Brom |
| More info |
Whitehead was a popular keeper at West Brom and lost his place in
the first team when a new keeper was signed. His luck at Reading didn't
last long after picking up a long term injury and losing his place
in the first team to Scott Howie. Howie picked up his form and forced
Whitehead out until the end of the 1999-2000 season when Phil was
given a chance back in the side. Whitehead easily won the battle for
first team keeper spot from Howie during the 2000-2001 season, resulting
in Howie's departure. A solid keeper who will feature all season long
unless he gets injured. |
| Graeme Murty
|
| Squad number |
2 |
| Position |
Defender/Midfielder |
| Signed from |
York, July 1998, £700,000 |
| Previous clubs |
York |
| More info |
Murty was signed for a huge wad of dosh from York as a pacey winger.
Once again though Burns had signed a player suffering from injury,
and it was ages before we got a chance to see the mystery man of Reading
FC. When we did see him we weren't disappointed by the size of his
sideburns. And when we saw him leg to down the wing there was even
more to get excited about. Murty got injured again and then returned
as a full back / wing back, where he still continues to play. Great
going forward, but sometimes shakey at the back. Murty will be looking
for an extended run in the team during the 2001-2002 season after
getting back to full fitness last season. |
| Matt Robinson |
| Squad number |
3 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Portsmouth, January 2000, £150,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Southampton, Portsmouth |
| More info |
Matt Robinson arrived at the same time the "Royal Revival"
began during the 1999-2000 season. Martin "Mad Dog" Allen
recommended we get Robinson in after working with him at Portsmouth,
and after he signed we seen to win, win, and win some more. Robinson
started off very very impressive indeed as a quality full back who
became a first team regular. Towards the end of the 2000-2001 season
Robinson lost a bit of his confidence and didn't look quite the player
he was. Still popular though. |
| Keith Jones |
| Squad number |
4 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Charlton, July 2000, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Chelsea, Brentford, Southend, Colchester (Loan), Charlton |
| More info |
Although getting well on in the second half of his playing career
Jones still has a bit to offer after proving himself a valuable player
for Charlton. Jones has loads and loads of experience - with over
450 league games on his record. Keith has had a rough time at Reading
after becoming an unfortunate target of fans abuse throughout the
2000-2001 season. For a while Jones' dip in form combined with constant
abuse made it look like his Reading days were limited. A couple of
great performances towards the end of last season was enough to see
him keep his number four shirt for the 2001-2002 season. Jones isn't
anything special, but he's more than handy to have in your squad. |
| Ade Viveash |
| Squad number |
5 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Walsall, July 2000, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Swindon, Reading (Loan), Barnsley (Loan), Walsall |
| More info |
Viveash seemed to set to eventually sign for the Royals after spending
two loan periods at Reading in 1993 and 1995. Viveash made over 200
appearances for Walsall after signing for them from Swindon. Viveash
looks set to feature week in week out this season. |
| Barry Hunter |
| Squad number |
6 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Wrexham, July 1996, £400,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Crusaders, Wrexham, Southend (Loan while at Reading) |
| More info |
Barry Hunter had a nightmare start to the 1999-2000 season after
returning from a massive two year lay-off through injury. He was only
given a one year contract and really had to prove himself - instead
he made loads of mistakes and it seemed his days were numbered. He
promptly added to his troubles by getting done for drink-driving and
lost his club captaincy. And then he really got his act together and
put in a string of superb performances in the centre of defence to
more than earn his place back in the first team - and an extended
contract offer from Alan Pardew. Hunter won't be a regular starter
with Viveash, Williams and Whitbread all featuring in front of him
- but he'll be ready to call on if any of those three aren't available
for selection. |
| Tony Rougier
|
| Squad number |
7 |
| Position |
Forward |
| Signed from |
Port Vale, 11 August 2000, £325,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Raith, Hibernian, Port Vale |
| More info |
Rougier was signed at the start of the 2000/2001
season as replacement for Nicky Forster who was ruled out for the
whole season due to a knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly
against Charlton. Rougier, who made his debut against Millwall on
the first day of the 2000/20001 season, had scored 21 goals from 169
senior appearances before joining the Royals. Since joining the Royals
Rougier has his |
| Adie Williams
|
| Squad number |
8
|
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Wolves, July 2000, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Reading, Wolves |
| More info |
Popular central defender who'll fit in again perfectly in a side
modeled on passion and the will to win. Adie is 100% a Reading player
after spending most of his career with the Royals after originally
signing for Reading way back in 1989 as a trainee. Williams spent
seven years at Reading as a regular first team player before moving
to Wolves to follow McGhee for 750,000 quid in 1996. After failing
to get the success at Wolves that he previously enjoyed at Reading
- mainly due to injury - Adie came back to the Royals on loan in February
2000 and stayed until the end of the season. With his contract up
at Wolves, and Reading fans desperate for his return, he was more
than happy to return to Reading in the summer of 2000. Injury kept
Williams out during the 2000-2001 season - but he returned at the
end and will look to be an ever present in the promotion campaign
this season. |
| Martin Butler |
| Squad number |
9 |
| Position |
Striker |
| Signed from |
Cambridge, February 2000, £750,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Walsall, Cambridge |
| More info |
Martin scored four goals for the Royals during the 1999-2000 after
signing from Cambridge in February when he was the Division's leading
goalscorer. However, he made up for the lack of goals by setting up
plenty and starting off a potentially lethal combination up front
with Nicky Forster. Last season he followed that up by realising a
lethal combination up front with Jamie Cureton. Butler scored 28 goals
during the 2000-2001 season - but also helped Jamie Cureton by setting
plenty more up. |
| Nicky Forster |
| Squad number |
10 |
| Position |
Striker |
| Signed from |
Birmingham City, June 1999, £650,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Hythe, Gillingham, Brentford, Birmingham |
| More info |
Brilliant player worth every penny of the 650,000 quid. Not only
a natural goal-scorer but a really talented player who loves to go
on his own little runs past players. Great at winning the ball and
great at keeping it. There's nothing like watching Forster cut in
from the wing. Signs are that he's just going to get better and better.
Unfortunately with such a promising future ahead of him Forster was
ruled out for the entire 2000/2001 season after suffering a cruciate
ligament injury in his right knee during a pre-season game against
Charlton at the Madejski Stadium. Forster is back to full fitness
now and ready to battle to win a first team place again. |
| Andy Hughes |
| Squad number |
11 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Notts County, July 2001, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Oldham, Notts County. |
| More info |
Hughes already looks to be a fantstic signing after joining in the
summer when his contract at Notts County expired. Hughes, with over
100 league starts to his name already, impressed in pre-season friendlies
- scoring on his debut at Aldershot and setting up the other. A determined
and solid winger who should be the creator of plenty of goals at Reading.
|
| Jamie Cureton |
| Squad number |
12 |
| Position |
Striker |
| Signed from |
Bristol Rovers, 21 August 2000, £250,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Norwich, Bournemouth (Loan), Bristol Rovers |
| More info |
Reading signed the highly rated striker Jamie Cureton from Bristol
Rovers just into the 2000/2001 season in a bargain £250,000 deal.
The clubs agreed the fee after Cureton had expressed a interest in
moving after failing to pledge his future to the West Country club.
After an unhappy close season spell Cureton was keen to move on and
saw Reading as a perfect opportunity to further his career. With Nicky
Forster out all season the news could not have been better for Reading
fans who will remember Cureton as the player who hit four past Reading
in January 1999 at the Madejski Stadium when Bristol Rovers won 0-6.
Cureton, born in Bristol, had a fantastic strike rate for Rovers after
signing for 200,000 quid in October 1996 from Norwich City - and was
expected to have a far larger price tag. In 200 games for Rovers,
Cureton hit 78 goals. At Reading he's been fantastic and despite playing
through injury scored a huge 30 goals for the Royals during the 2000-2001
season. |
| Sammy Igoe |
| Squad number |
14 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Portsmouth, March 2000, £100,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Portsmouth |
| More info |
Sammy made over 100 league appearances for Portmouth after joining
as a trainee in 1994. Martin Allen tipped off Pardew and Reading picked
him up for a potentially bargain sum of £100,000. Sammy played
just a handful of games during the 1999-2000 for the Royals, but followed
that up with substantially more games last season. The sight of Sammy
in his super shorts running down the wing is a delight, that's for
sure. |
| James Harper |
| Squad number |
15 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Arsenal, February 2001, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Arsenal, Cardiff (Loan) |
| More info |
Signed from Arsenal on a free transfer, Harper kicks off his professional
career at Reading. Harper failed to appear at Arsenal and made just
three appearances on loan at Cardiff before being snapped up by the
Royals. Harper has plenty of potential and tonnes of skill. In his
debut for the Royals he impressed so much Pardew told him off for
"show-boating". Should be a regular or near abouts a regular. |
| Phil Parkinson
|
| Squad number |
16 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Bury, July 1992, £37,500 |
| Previous clubs |
Southampton, Bury |
| More info |
Player of the season during both the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons.
Parky is Reading FC through and through and bleeds blue and white
hooped blood for the club he loves. Parky is always tackling hard,
chasing every ball, and has been a perfect club captain. Parky is
one of the longest serving player's left at the club - and we all
hope he's still got enough left in him for a few more successful seasons.
Parky signed a new two year contract for the start of the 2001-2002
season. When the contract expires, and probably before that, he'll
move into coaching. |
| Neil Smith |
| Squad number |
17 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Fulham, August 1999, £100,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Tottenham, Gillingham, Fulham |
| More info |
Neil Smith played nearly 250 games for Gillingham before a two season
spell at Fulham. He's definately not in the same league as Darren
Caskey, but he's still good at winning the ball and laying it off.
A decent enough player for Division Two, but probably on his way out
from Reading. |
| Adrian Whitbread |
| Squad number |
18 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Portsmouth, July 2001, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Leyton Orient, Swindon, West Ham, Portsmouth,
Luton Town (loan), Reading (loan). |
| More info |
Reading signed Portsmouth centre-back Adrian Whitbread in July 2001
after a three month loan deal at the end of the 2000/2001 season.
With Adrian Williams out injured Whitbread was brought in on loan
to provide defensive cover - and come straight into the team. Whitbread
was well known by Reading assistant manager Martin Allen after making
144 starts for Portsmouth after signing for 250,000 quid in October
1996. Whitbread also made 13 league appearances while on loan at Portsmouth
while on West Ham's books. His career started at Leyton Orient where
he made 154 starts after signing as a trainee in 1989. This was followed
by two 500,000 pound moves - firstly to Swindon in 1993 where he made
37 starts before moving to West Ham in the summer of 1994. Whitbread
should feature week in week out after his sold performances at the
end of last season. |
| Joe Gamble |
| Squad number |
19 |
| Position |
Midfield |
| Signed from |
Cork City, August 200, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Cork City, Crawley Town (loan). |
| More info |
Joe Gamble has made just one substitutes appearance for the Royals
so far - but could feature more heavily during the 2001-2002 season. |
| Chris Casper |
| Squad number |
20 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Man Utd, November 1998, £300,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Manchester United, Bournemouth (Loan), Swindon (Loan) |
| More info |
Chris Casper looked to be a player in a million when he arrived
on loan from Manchester United in September 1998. In his months loan
spell he impressed with every kick off the ball - a superb tackler
who won everything played towards the centre of defence and then did
something with it. Premiership quality in a very young player. In
a poll during October 1998 on Hob Nob Anyone?, 98% of voters
said they wanted Reading to sign Casper - and everyone was overjoyed
when he signed for a bargain 300,000 quid in November of that year.
Casper continued to look brilliant in a five man defence but started
to lose his initial shine by making more than a few mistakes in a
four man defence. He went through a long period out of form in 1999,
and just when he was starting to regain his confidence he broke his
leg leaving him side-lined long term. Casper's fit for the new season
- we'll have to see if he can regain his form. |
| Jamie Ashdown |
| Squad number |
21 |
| Position |
Goalkeeper |
| Signed from |
Trainee |
| Previous clubs |
Gravesend & Northfleet (loan while at Reading) |
| More info |
Ashdown becomes second choice keeper after the departure of Howie
during the close season. Ashdown has shown himself to be a decent
keeper but will find it hard to break into the first team this season
with Whithead looking more than solid. |
| Nathan Tyson
|
| Squad number |
22 |
| Position |
Striker |
| Signed from |
Trainee |
| Previous clubs |
Maidenhead United (loan while at Reading) |
| More info |
Tyson looks to be a nippy young player who could run rings round
Division Two defenders. Tyson banged in plenty of goals for the youth
side and looks certain to make an impression. |
| John Mackie |
| Squad number |
23 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Sutton United, October 1999, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Crawley Town, Sutton United |
| More info |
At time of writing John is a mystery player who signed for Reading in
October 1999 and then promptly returned to Sutton United on loan as if nothing
had happened. After picking up an injury we're yet to see what he's capable
of doing on the pitch. |
| Darius Henderson |
| Squad number |
24 |
| Position |
Striker |
| Signed from |
Trainee |
| Previous clubs |
- |
| More info |
A big striker who had a few games towards the end of the 1999-2000 season,
but failed to make much of an impression after looking a bit slow. Plenty
of time for him to get a bit of experience behind him though and sharpen
up his game. |
| Ricky Newman |
| Squad number |
25 |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Millwall, 27 July 2000, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Crystal Palace, Maidstone (Loan), Millwall, Reading
(Loan) |
| More info |
Newman had always been expected to sign after ending last season on loan
to the Royals. Millwall paid 500,000 quid for the midfielder in July
1995 when they signed him from Crystal Palace, and he went on to make
150 league appearances for Millwall. Newman made seven appearances
for Reading while on loan at the end of last season, scoring one goal.
|
| Alex Smith |
| Squad number |
26 |
| Position |
Defender/Midfielder |
| Signed from |
Port Vale, July 2001, Free |
| Previous clubs |
Everton, Swindon, Huddersfield (loan), Chester,
Port Vale |
| More info |
Twenty-five year old Smith can play on the left side of either defence
or midfield and signed a two year contract with the Royals in July
2001 after his contract at Port Vale expired. Smith started his professional
career with Everton as a trainee in 1994 but never appeared for the
first team before moving to Swindon Town on a free transfer. Smith
then moved without fee to Chester and then Port Vale before signing
for the Royals. He will be missed at Port Vale after becoming a popular
player that was virtually ever-present last season. Smith has made
over 100 league starts with five league goals to his name. |
| Ricky Allaway |
| Squad number |
27 |
| Position |
|
| Signed from |
Trainee |
| Previous clubs |
- |
| More info |
Player who has graduated from the Royals academy
to become a squad member. Yet to break into the first team. Ricky
has been under plenty of media attention after his brother Shaun signed
for Leeds in 2000 in a big money deal. |
| Nicky Shorey |
| Squad number |
28 |
| Position |
Defender |
| Signed from |
Leyton Orient, February 2001, £25,000 |
| Previous clubs |
Leyton Orient |
| More info |
An impressive looking full back who could feature
more this season. Signed from third Division Leyton Orient. The Royals
initially paid 25,000 for the player but the transfer fee will increase
if Shorey makes a certain number of appearances for the Royals. Shorey
seems certain to be a good prospect for the future - however the 19
year old player made plenty of appearances for Orient before signing
for Reading. Shorey signed a professional contract with Orient in
the summer of 1998 and went on to make 16 appearances - 13 in the
starting eleven - before moving to Reading, signing a three and a
half year contract. |
| Adam Lockwood |
| Squad number |
29 |
| Position |
|
| Signed from |
Trainee |
| Previous clubs |
- |
| More info |
Player who has graduated from the Royals academy to become
a squad member. Yet to break into the first team. |
Team
Management
| Alan Pardew |
| Position |
Team Manager |
| Previous clubs |
As a player: Yeovil, Crystal Palace, Charlton,
Tottenham, Barnet
As a manager: None |
| More info |
Alan Pardew became Reading FC manager on 13 October
1999, replacing Tommy Burns. Pardew had also been Reading manager
before - as caretaker manager in March 1998 when Bullivant was booted
out. Pardew managed one game as caretaker manager, a defeat, before
Burns arrived. Pardew, who's previous management experience had been
managing the Reading reserve side, has already put together a better
record for himself than either Bullivant or Burns could manage in
their short stays in charge. Last season, Pardew's first full season
in charge, was so nearly a success. Pardew is the man to take us up
this season. |
| Martin Allen |
| Position |
Assistant Manager |
| Previous clubs |
As a player: QPR, West Ham, Portsmouth
As a manager: None |
| More info |
Martin Allen - known as "Mad Dog" arrived at
the beginning of 2000 after coaching at Portsmouth, and has played a massive
part in turning the fortunes of Reading Football Club around. Working closely
with Pardew we've made some sensible signings and are playing like a side
capable of getting out of Division Two. Martin Allen is a complete nutter,
make no mistake - winning is the only option, whatever it takes. As a player
he'd always be the most determined player on the pitch - West Ham paid £670,000
quid for Allen's will to win way back in 1989. Allen, born in Reading, has
always been a Reading fan and expects every player to share his love of
the club. |
|
