JOHN Halls has launched a bitter attack on his short Reading FC career, claiming: 'I wasted my time there.'

Royals signed Halls from Stoke City for around £250,000 in January 2006.

The former Arsenal trainee was brought in by legendary boss Steve Coppell to strengthen the midfield for Royals' first ever season in the Premier League.

But the 35-year-old was hampered by injury and made only eight first-team appearances, just two of them in the league, before being released in May 2008 after Royals were relegated from the top-flight.

Halls told planetfootball.com: “It didn’t work out at Reading. I don’t know who signed me, which I think is quite common in football, but (manager) Steve Coppell didn’t take to me, and I didn’t take to him.

“I didn’t suit their style. They used their full-backs to put the ball down the wings, playing safe balls, which wasn’t my game at all.

“I had injury problems and before I knew it my time there was over. And once you’re out of sight and out of mind, you’ve got to start again.

“When I left there were only a few clubs interested. I wasted my time at Reading.”

Reading Chronicle: Steve Coppell

Former Reading FC manager Steve Coppell.

Halls' career failed to hit the heights after his time with Reading and, after brief spells with Brentford, Aldershot Town and Wycombe, he retired in 2012.

“Everything I did at Reading was no good to me,” added Halls, who is now a model with his own clothing line. “I look back it now and I have no regrets, but I wish I’d got out of there a lot earlier.

“I got on the pitch as a Premier League player, which was nice, but I got nutmegged without touching the ball within about 30 seconds of coming on.

“Considering my talent, it was just a waste.”