Reading's Hard Men

[Esteban]

I was just listening to Roy McDonough on the radio, who is probably best known for receiving the most red cards in English football (22, I think). He was recalling stories of the fouls he dished out to other players - by the sounds of it, he was a nasty player. A product of the era he played in, I guess. I'm in my mid-thirties (first season I can remember is the tail end of 84/85), so I don't know if McDonough ever played against us, but it set me thinking about Reading's truly hard men.

So, in this era of players going down under the weakest challenge and rolling around as if they've been shot, who is the 'hardest' Reading player you can think of? And to clarify, my interpretation of hard is not necessarily the player who picked up the most bookings or red cards, but the ones who would put their bodies on the line and carry on regardless of the blows they took.

I'll nominate Phil Parkinson and Floyd Streete.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

In for a Terry Hurlock.

[thirtyyarder]

Ricky's gonna get yer
Ricky's gonna get yer.

[Avon Royal]

Sammy Igoe.

[Stuka]

Jimmy Kebe of course.

[Platypuss]

Billy Whitehurst

[Wycombe Royal]

Danny Bailey.....

[Big Foot]

John Salako

[Irvinchangeyaname]

I'l throw in a Mick Tait.

[Agent Balti]

Parky, obviously is a shoo-in here.

[AirRaidSiren]

Leroy Lita, cuz he woz a propa gangsta innit blud?

[From Despair To Where?]

Hurlock or Whitehurst. Hurlock was a tank on the pitch, Whitehurst was just an all round headcase.

Roy McDonough was just an utter pcunt

[Esteban]

Hurlock or Whitehurst. Hurlock was a tank on the pitch, Whitehurst was just an all round headcase.

Roy McDonough was just an utter pcunt

His interview could have been Warnock talking. They're of the same mindset, I think. He told a story about a red card he got for knocking out our very own Keith McPherson when he was at Northampton, which he said he felt bad about. It was a deliberate elbow/forearm to the head and he did it because McPherson kept winning headers against him!

[loyalroyal4life]

Keith Scott

[ayjaydee]

Stuart Morgan was a bit of a nasty bastard back in the day. Percy Freeman, bricklayer turned footballer, was a real no nonsense centre forward and I would put "God" Friday right up there with the hard men.

[Hoop Blah]

Mick Gooding deserves a mention. Not dirty, but would still 'run through walls' for his team.

[Winchester Royal]

Andre Bikey?

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Darius Henderson

[JamieY26]

Stephen Hunt?!....he's got a hard knee at least!!

[Bandini]

In order during the time I've been watching Reading:

1. Whitehurst
2. Hurlock
3. T8

Parky and Gooding get honourable mentions, but they were very much in the second-tier of hard men.