23 March 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Throughout our long the Royals has seen many goalscoring heroes grace the pitches of the Madejski Stadium and Elm Park before that. If you’re interested in an overview of Reading FC’s top strikers, then keep reading as we pay homage to them, their contributions, and the memorable moments in the club's history that its strikers helped to achieve.
Trevor Senior
Arguably one of the most prolific strikers in Reading FC's history, Trevor Senior worked hard to earn himself a place in footballing history. With 191 goals in 362 appearances between 1983 and 1992, Senior remains the club's all-time leading goalscorer. His goal scoring prowess was instrumental in helping Reading gain promotion to the Third Division in 1984 and the Second Division in 1986. Senior's attacking instincts, ability to find space in the box and clinical finishing made him a fan favourite and a true Royals legend.
Robin Friday
Another prolific scorer and all-round great player, Robin Friday was an incredibly gifted forward who played for the club between 1974 and 1976. Across the two seasons he played with the team, the renowned striker scored 46 goals in 121 appearances, making him one of the club's most potent strikers of all time. Friday's flamboyant style, excellent ball control and eye for goal made him an exciting player to watch. Although his career at Reading was short, he left a lasting impression on the fans, who voted him the club's "Player of the Millennium" in 2000.
Jamie Cureton
A natural goalscorer who had two spells at Reading FC, Jamie Cureton was a fan favourite who will always be remembered for scoring plenty of goals each game. In his first stint at the club between 2000 and 2003, he scored 55 goals in 124 appearances. During this time he helped the club win the 2001-02 Second Division title. Then, Cureton returned for a brief spell in 2005-06, scoring seven goals in 17 appearances that time. Cureton's remarkable goals-to-games ratio and his knack for scoring crucial goals made him one of Reading's most valuable strikers throughout the club’s history.
Dave Kitson
Between 2003 and 2008 Dave Kitson played for Reading and scored 60 goals. He appeared on the pitch 135 times and was a great player to watch. His aerial prowess and powerful strikes made him a constant threat in the opposition's box. Kitson played a crucial role in Reading's 2005-06 Championship-winning campaign, where the club gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in its history. His impressive performances and help achieving this incredible success earned him the Championship Player of the Year award in 2006.
Shane Long
Having joined in 2005, Shane Long had a prolific season with Reading and spent six years at the club, scoring 54 goals in 203 appearances. The Irish striker's tireless work rate, pace and ability to score with both feet made him a favourite among the Royals' faithful. Long played a significant role in helping Reading reach the Championship play-off final in the 2010-11 season. His performances during his time at Reading earned him a move to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in 2011. He’s always been known as a risk taker who’s willing to give his all to his club. Fans can emulate his dedication to his side and risk-taking abilities by betting on his prowess or making the most of online casinos to take calculated risks and potentially earn big rewards.
Kevin Doyle
An integral part of Reading's squad between 2005 and 2009, Kevin Doyle scored 56 goals during his 157 appearances for the side. The Irish striker was known for his tireless work ethic, intelligent movement and clinical finishing, which afforded him acclaim with the fans and club management. Doyle's contributions were vital in Reading's promotion-winning 2005-06 season and their subsequent Premier League campaign. His impressive performances caught the attention of several top-flight clubs, and he eventually signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2009.
Jimmy Quinn
One of the few players to have two spells at Reading FC as a player and to also help manage the club was Jimmy Quinn. He joined the side first as a player and later as a player-manager. The Northern Irish striker scored 40 goals in 106 appearances between 1992 and 1997. Quinn's experience and leadership on the pitch were instrumental in helping Reading achieve a second-place finish in the 1994-95 First Division, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League. His goal-scoring ability and commitment to the club made him a popular figure among Reading fans and led to him becoming manager for the club later in his career.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Often known as "The Yak," Yakubu Aiyegbeni had a brief but memorable spell at Reading FC during the 2014-15 season. The Nigerian striker joined the club on a short-term deal and quickly made an impact by scoring five goals in 11 appearances. Although his time at Reading was limited, the Yak’s experience and predatory instincts in front of goal left a lasting impression on the fans. After leaving Reading, his career achievements, including a successful stint in the Premier League with clubs like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, added to his reputation as a top striker.
Adam Le Fondre
Fondly known as "Alfie’ by the fans, Adam Le Fondre played for Reading between 2011 and 2014, scoring 41 goals throughout his 110 appearances for the side. His goalscoring exploits were essential during the 2011-12 season, helping the Royals secure the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League. Le Fondre was particularly well-known for his super-sub performance, often coming off the bench to score crucial goals for the team that helped them to win key games. His ability to find the back of the net consistently and his never-say-die attitude endeared him to Reading fans, making him one of the club's most memorable strikers and beloved former players.
From record-breakers to fan favourites and everyone in between, Reading Football Club has been graced by numerous talented strikers over the years. Each of the players on this list has contributed to the club's rich history, providing unforgettable moments and helping the team achieve amazing accolades and move up the Premier League. As Reading FC continues to compete and strive for further success, the club will undoubtedly discover and nurture more goal-scoring talent over the years to come. The next generation of forwards will look to follow in the footsteps of these legendary goal-scorers. Future lists such as this will have fresh names who have helped to shape the club and grow its success over the years to come.
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