READING FC’s Luke Southwood has been nominated for a prestigious honour.

The Oxford-born 27-year-old goalkeeper is on the short-list of three for the sportsman of the year category at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

He said he was “delighted” to be nominated, adding: “Thanks to everyone throughout the year who helped me to achieve this.”

Southwood was part of the England squad that won the Under 20 World Cup in South Korea in June.

The Reading Academy graduate is currently on loan to Bath City and was named their man of the match when they drew 0-0 with Hemel Hempstead in National League South last Saturday.

Luke faces stiff competition for the Oxfordshire award as the other nominations are Josh Griffin, who helped Hull FC retain Rugby League’s Challenge Cup last August, and golfer Eddie Pepperell, who secured seven top-10 finishes on the European Tour circuit this year.

The winner will be announced at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford on January 19.

This coming Saturday, Bath have a league fixture at home to Bognor Regis Town and that should see two former Reading FC junior goalkeepers up against each other as Dan Lincoln plays for the Rocks.

Lincoln’s side are second from bottom of the league and if he is dismayed about that, he must also feeling disappointed about what is going on at his cricket club as well.

Finchampstead, who have been one of the most successful sides in the Home Counties Premier League in recent seasons, have lost the services of skipper Dan Marles, who has joined rivals High Wycombe, in addition to Matt Carter, now residing in Australia, and overseas player Jandre Coetzee, who is not expected to return for a third season.

  • HENLEY Town’s withdrawal from the Hellenic League this week could open the door for Woodley United to move there next season.

Driving across a congested Reading to Scours Lane in Tilehurst on a Saturday is not always easy, as was highlighted at a match last month when there were more players than spectators.

Henley’s ground in Mill Lane is a lot more accessible from Woodley.