Favourite RFC backroom staff ever

[Royal Biscuitman]

Wasn't it Wally Downs who squared up to Colin mid match, a few years ago.

If so - him.

He gives good World Cup commentary on twitter: https://twitter.com/wal10

I remember the stories of Wally being in Coppell's office in his underpants as Coppell met other managers, actually that might have been Neil Warnock's side of things.

If I recall correctly, he caught a rival assistant manager or member of staff outside the changing room door trying to listen in and dispatched him.

Martin mad dog Allen also gets my vote, both were real characters and much needed in the game.

Becky Brown, the physio.... much more pleasing on the eye than John Fearne.

[Maguire]

Groundsman: Gordon Neate

How many can say they've both played for Reading and destroyed the pitch with weedkiller.

Did he? I thought he killed it with over application of fertiliser? Either way the same effect of course!

Glasgow Herald says weedkiller in its story at the time

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2 ... 06,1898918

Doesn't really matter what it was but I liked the piece for a bit of history.

[No Fixed Abode]

Eddie Niedzwiecki

'Don't go Eddie, don't go....."

[Vision]

Allen wasn't exactly backroom backroom, in fact he made sure he was pretty centre stage

Same bracket as Wally Downes surely?

[10539.4 Miles Away]

Neate and Grant great shouts, surprised kevin girdler isnt in the mix already. Think he was in marketing at the club as well as being the legend behind the Royals Anthem.

He was arrogant beyond measure.

TBF he may have well been, I only know the song.

[Royal Biscuitman]

Andy West - I can't remember what his job title was, communications or something. He was very open and honest with fans and active on the hobnob royalmail mailing list too. No longer works at the club.

[Royal Biscuitman]

A big shout out to all the backroom staff who do a great job but don't get any recognition from us fans because their job doesn't put them in the limelight so we have no idea who they are.

Does Big Clive the deputy steward count as backroom?

[LUX]

slight thread shift.

How about those volunteers who ran the programme shop at the back of the Tilehurst end early 70's onwards. Was Roy Trantner one?

[floyd__streete]

Reckon you must be thinking of Mick Foster.

And if you love Reading FC, you've gotta love the legend that is Colin Bishop.

[Ark Royal]

The one and only Mick Foster. Don't think I got a smile from him in over 30 years. Top man, though.

Mention for Joan Webb. Worked in the Elm Park offices for years. Lovely lady.

[Nameless]

Andy West - I can't remember what his job title was, communications or something. He was very open and honest with fans and active on the hobnob royalmail mailing list too. No longer works at the club.

When I last heard Andy was living in Barcelona working as a freelance sports journo. Quite often crops up on the radio and in the press. Nice job.....

[multisync1830]

Charlie Allen

[Mr Optimist]

Reckon you must be thinking of Mick Foster.

And if you love Reading FC, you've gotta love the legend that is Colin Bishop.

Is Colin Bishop, David Soul?

Whatever happened to their short mate with really black curly hair and glasses, would have been late 40s 20 years ago. He just seemed to disappear off the face of the earth.

Denny Fullbrook for me.

[No Fixed Abode]

Didn't think any of you would remember Eddie Niedzwiecki at Reading.

[Aubery Boyce]

we used to get our programme reserved by Mick. Nice Chap.


Although not sure why we got them reserved! they were hardly in short supply!

[LUX]

cheers for the stuff about the Tilehurst end shop, happy memories.

I used to buy the programme from the previous week's away game there. Then take it home and read it from cover to cover

[Royal Lady]

Joan (or was it June) Webb, Albert Moss - brilliant commercial team.

Gordon Neate

Tommy Bartholomew on the supporters' coaches.

[BR2]

The one and only Mick Foster. Don't think I got a smile from him in over 30 years. Top man, though.

Mention for Joan Webb. Worked in the Elm Park offices for years. Lovely lady.

Still looks as miserable as sin as he climbs the steps of Y22.
Agree with you and RL about Dougie Webb's wife-very hepful especially when my son was mascot for a big game.....against Plymouth in front of not much more than 2,500.
Jimmy Wallbanks anybody?

[No Fixed Abode]

Elaine New - former barmaid in the bar at Elm Park and currently still working at the club in another role.

[RoyalBlue]

Seriously though:

Jackie Evans - the friendly business face of Reading FC and great friend/helper to the normal fan(s).

The first Manager of the ticket office at the Mad Stad - I'm afraid that I can't remember his name but always prepared to help and relax 'the rules' if it made sense.

Jonathan Richards 'JR is innocent'. Great PA man, true Royals Fan and scapegoat of Judas Gate!