In celebration of Reading Football Club's 150th anniversary, The Reading Chronicle spoke with 15 figures from the Reading community, past and present, to find out above all one thing: What makes Reading FC special?
Barry Hunter
Defender
1996-2001
Appearances: 84
Basically the people, the people who were there at the time. At the time the main one was John Madejski, but also Ian Wood-Smith, Bryan Stabler…they were very much fixtures. But also people on the support staff side, people like Ronny Grant - the kit man for many years. I’m still in touch with all of them and when I see them it’s obviously good to catch up. Sue Hewett is still at the club, she was a young girl in the office. It’s like any club - it’s the people who make it. Good people. And good people normally lead to successful organisations.
And also obviously the supporters, the local people. Even though I left Reading in 2001 we ended up settling, we still live here, my kids went to school here. I still live in Caversham, so we’re very much part of the community. It’s been a good place for us to settle and bring up a family.
Stand-out memory:
The first day at Elm Park, the old Elm Park. In the dressing room. Big characters there, Phil Parkinson, Michael Gilkes…Ronny Grant. I think Ronny picked me up from the train when I arrived. Just a good atmosphere, good people, and that was pretty evident quickly. There’s a lot of those people still around, most not at the club, but I still see them.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here