Reading's most unsung hero

[The Royal Forester]

Eamonn Dolan

That's the best suggestion yet.

[OldBiscuit]

Although not quite an un-sung hero, I thought that Brendan Rogers could have been a hero. He took the right job at the wrong time.

But a genuine un-sung hero must be Sir John. This man has received nowhere near the credit he deserves for the rise of Reading FC from the depths of despair to the high profile that Reading Football Club now enjoys, and also for putting the Town of Reading on the map.

[lightning strikes]

Ok, ok, I'm sure that this has been asked before, if not in precisely the same words along the same lines. However, last night I dreamt (quite seriously) of Mick Gooding. On waking up it struck me that of all the players I've watched since I started supporting the club at the age of eight (blimey, that makes it 40 years) the importance of Gooding's spell at the club as a player was perhaps one of the least acknowledged. He was a real Jack Russell of a player (think Edgar Davids or Richie Bowman), he had a great eye, dedication and he could pass the ball well and, often, well this is my view anyway, ran the game. Maybe it is because of his busy, bustling appearance that people didn't give him the credit he deserved. Don't get me wrong I know he was loved and admired but, in my view, probably not as much as he deserved. Dare I say this, I think he was better than Parky and, probably, for the period he was a player, more important.

does anyone on here think Parky was a better player than Gooding?

[Larry_Parnell]

Eamonn Dolan

^ this

[Longhorn1970]

Al Habsi

[Samrfc01]

Brynar Gunnarsson a.k.a Bryniesta.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Martin Hicks. Played with some classy defenders at times, Steve Wood and Keith Curle amongst them, but was mostly consistent. Very reliable and what a clearance he had on him!

[Platypuss]

Martin Hicks is about as far from "unsung" as it's possible to be, both figuratively and literally FFS.

[Gloucesterroyal]

Kevin Bremner

[OldBiscuit]

Kevin Bremner

The clue is in the title 'unsung'.

[SCIAG]

But a genuine un-sung hero must be Sir John.

Agreed. The man has received no recognition. We should name the stadium after him.

[Far Canal]

Dick Spiers.

Centre half.
Reading record: player from 1955 to 1970, making 453 appearances, scoring 3 goals.
Died in 2000 and never got a mention from the club. Now that's unsung!

[Franchise FC]

Dick Spiers.

Centre half.
Reading record: player from 1955 to 1970, making 453 appearances, scoring 3 goals.
Died in 2000 and never got a mention from the club. Now that's unsung!

My vote goes to Steve Hetzke

[ILoveMoonPig]

Eric Obina Chukwunyelu. Legend.

[Forbury Lion]

Some of these players had songs, so they how can they be unsung heros?

[Forbury Lion]

Calling Curo a one trick pony seems harsh.
Unless you think the same applies to Marcus, Ivar or Glenn Little.
Fozzy hardly had more to his game than Curo, although good to see Curo still knocking in the goals despite being into his forties.

If the one trick was to be relied upon to score goals then it's nothing to be ashamed of.

[genome]

Sekou Baradji. Provided the assist for Bryn's winner against Sheff United in 2005/6, after which we never looked back.

[Forbury Lion]

History maker Grant Brebner.

[Forbury Lion]

Nicky Hammond for some of the transfer fees he's bought in for average players.