SEEING his son Chris Rackley playing in the FA Vase on Saturday will stir memories for dad Peter.

Chris will be between the posts for Thatcham Town when they take on Biggleswade FC in a fourth-round tie at Waterside Park, bidding for a place in the last 16.

It is a competition Peter, the former Reading Reserves player and current Purley-on-Thames cricketer, knows well, as he played for Hungerford when they reached the semi-finals in 1989.

The Crusaders had reached that stage – where they lost 6-0 Sudbury Town across two legs – by knocking out their neighbours Thatcham in the quarter finals.

Now Chris and his Kingfishers side are hoping to go even further along the road to Wembley.

Standing in the way of the Hellenic League high fliers are Biggleswade FC from the Spartan South Midlands League.

Thatcham are one of three Berkshire sides involved in the Vase, along with Bracknell Town and Windsor, who head for Blackfield & Langley and Eastbourne respectively this weekend.

“For those Reading fans unable to get to the FA Cup tie at Norwich, this game at Thatcham is a good alternative,” said match-ball sponsor David Downs.

  • FOOTBALL enthusiasts will be descending on Newbury today (Thursday).

Not to witness sports editor Malcolm Howe’s shock departure from the Weekly News after several decades, but to bid for numerous items at the SAS Auction taking place at their Greenham Business Park headquarters.

Thousands of programmes will be going under the hammer, including many from clubs including Reading, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The day’s highest bids are likely to be for a pair of signed Muhammed Ali boxing gloves.

  • JAMIE Cureton is a player still well remembered by Reading FC fans even though he left in 2003.

The Royals were the fourth club in his long career and the 42-year-old striker has now clocked up a remarkable 18 clubs after leaving Farnborough – who have been forced to slash their wage bill – and joining Evo-Stik League rivals Bishop’s Stortford.