Reading have been one of the surprise packages in this season’s Championship, and are well placed to be considered now as a serious contender for promotion.
Jaap Stam has impressed in his first season as Reading manager
It is Jaap Stam’s first job in football management and the former Manchester United defender is targeting promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Royals sit firmly in the play-offs in fifth and have a six point gap between themselves and seventh place Fulham with just eight games left to play.
The fate of Reading’s season is in their hands and it would take a monumental collapse if they are unable to extend their season past May 7th when the regular Championship campaign ends. The last time Reading celebrated a return to England’s top division was back in 2012. They were crowned as champions of the league which saw Southampton take a runners up spot and West Ham United proved victorious in the play-off lottery.
We take a look at the starting XI in their final day 2-0 loss at Birmingham City and find out where they are now.
Adam Federici
Federici played every league game between the posts and conceded just 41 goals in 46 appearances. The Australian international arrived in 2005 and established himself as the Royals’ first choice goalkeeper after a number of loan spells away from the Madjeski Stadium in the lower leagues. Federici left for Premier League side Bournemouth on a free transfer in 2015 and is currently back-up to the Cherrie’s first choice goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Matthew Connolly
The Arsenal graduate arrived on loan from Queens Park Rangers in January 2012. He had helped the Hoops to promotion the previous campaign. He only went on to play six games in his short spell at the Madjeski. The defender could do little to break his way into the Royals defence. Shaun Cummings played the majority of the season at right back. Connolly can now be found playing for Cardiff City. Incidentally, he enjoyed his third promotion in as many years with the Bluebirds the following season.
Alex Pearce
Republic of Ireland international Pearce was an influential figure for Reading in this campaign. The imposing centre back was a Reading academy product. He impressively played in every league game for Brian McDermott’s side and scored five goals from the back. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Year award and spent another three years in Berkshire. He is now trying to repeat the glory of promotion with Derby County.
Derby’s Alex Pearce in action with Leeds’ Luke Ayling
Kaspars Gorkšs
Gorkšs was signed from Queens Park Rangers in the summer. The Latvian centre half had been a key part of their promotion winning side. He made 42 appearances and scored three goals to help win his second consecutive promotion. He formed a formidable partnership with Pearce and was a fans favourite. He is now 35-years-old and is enjoying his final years in his native Latvia with Riga FC.
Ian Harte
The left-back was best known for being a free kick specialist and made his name at Leeds in a memorable eight year spell at Elland Road. The former Republic of Ireland international joined the Royals from Carlisle United where he had rediscovered his form in 2010. He was named in the PFA team of the year for his consistent performances. Harte retired in 2015, with Premier League side Bournemouth being his final club. He is now a football agent.
Jodi McAnuff
McAnuff was named as the club’s captain at the start of the season. The Jamaica international was signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers from Watford in 2009. In his two previous seasons with the club, the winger was a first team regular. He made 40 appearances in this season and scored five goals to help his side win promotion. It was the first time he had reached the Premier League fn his professional career. The 35-year-old is now playing for League Two side Stevenage.
Jay Tabb
Standing at only 5ft 5in, what the central midfielder lacked in height he made up for in tenacity. He was signed from Coventry City in January 2009 after he became a key figure for the Sky Blues in the Championship. He made 21 appearances in Brian McDermott’s promotion winning side and was used mainly as a substitute. Turkish playmaker Jem Karacan started the vast majority of games in the centre of midfield. Tabb is currently a free agent after his release from Ipswich Town in the summer.
Lewis Cook and Ipswich Town’s Jay Tabb in action
Mikele Leigertwood
The defensive midfielder was a prominent player in this Reading side. He played 41 league games and scored an impressive five goals despite playing in such a deep lying position. The Antiguan international was signed on a permanent deal in the summer following a successful loan spell from QPR. He went on to be a mainstay in Reading’s Premier League side before being forced to retire with a hip injury suffered not long after his release by Reading. He currently works for the club in an Academy role.
Hal Robson-Kanu
Another product of the Reading academy, Robson-Kanu spent almost a decade at the Madjeski Stadium. His time at the club could well be described as hit and miss. Despite his clear talent, he was not able to produce enough consistent performances for the club. He was deployed as a winger this season and scored four goals. After letting his contract run out before the start of Euro 2016, his impressive performances at the tournament for Wales was enough to convince Premier League side West Bromwich Albion sign him.
Hal Robson-Kanu made 228 appearances in a nine year spell at Reading
Simon Church
Church is another Welsh international that was developed from Reading’s academy. The striker broke into the side in 2009 but never developed into a key figure for the club. The majority of his 31 appearances came from the bench. Noel Hunt was usually preferred to him in the starting eleven but he still managed to score seven goals. This proved to be his last meaningful contribution for the Royals as he failed to make a Premier League appearance before leaving. He is now plying his trade in the Dutch Eredivise with Roda JC.
Adam Le Fondre
Le Fondre was signed from League Two side Rotherham United in the summer and went on to become Reading’s top goalscorer with 12 goals. After playing the majority of his career in League Two, many questioned Le Fondre’s ability to reproduce his goalscoring heroics in a higher division. The striker did not disappoint and went on to score the same total of goals in the club’s Premier League season. The 30-year old is currently on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One from Cardiff City as he bids to restore his goalscoring touch following a number of unsuccessful loan spells in recent seasons.
Adam Le Fondre is now playing in League One for Bolton Wanderers
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