PADDINGTON Bear creator Michael Bond, who died recently at the age of 91, was once a keen fan of Reading FC.

Educated at Presentation College, he lived near the old Elm Park ground in Cranbury Road during the 1930s and his favourite player at the time was half-back Charlie Barley.

In fact, Barley even earned a mention in Bond's autobiography Bears and Forebears: A Life So Far, which was published in 1996.

When he wanted to check a few things about the player, Bond wrote to Reading FC, who passed on his letter to club historian David Downs.

David replied and, in return, received a copy of the book, and on the inside the author had written a personal message of thanks.

"I really appreciated that, it was a very generous thing do and I still treasure the book," said Downs.

"He also spoke very affectionately about Reading."

Incidentally, a copy of Bond's autobiography in hardback form was selling for more than £1,300 on Amazon this week.

  • TWO weeks ago this column revealed the discord that existed among the four-strong umpires committee responsible for match officials in the Home Counties Cricket League.

The row became public with two members using social media to air their grievances.

It got quite personal and, as a result, it led to Mark Ennis quitting the league. The Sherfield-on-Loddon resident was also the umpires' education and development officer.

John Reed also threatened to quit, but hasn't done so as yet and this Saturday the Finchampstead official is due to stand at the Division One match between Horspath and Burnham.

The row among the umpires' committee was discussed at some length at the latest meeting of the HCPL management.

They recognised there had been "a breakdown in the working relationship and trust and confidence" between the umpires’ committee members.

As a result, league chairman Martin Phillips agreed to meet the three remaining umpire officials – Reed, Bob Perkin and Steve Harris – in an attempt to iron out their differences. The crux of the matter appears to revolve around the match appointments which is the responsibility of Harris.

  • IN an attempt to attract bigger crowds, Reading Hockey Club are looking to stage their home Premier League men's matches to a Saturday evening (6pm) from the usual Sunday afternoon slot – providing their opponents agree to it.

They also believe it will help them to attract more match sponsors.