“I feel very uncomfortable endorsing what Reading Football Club stands for today.”

These are the feelings of former Reading FC striker Dave Kitson, as the star has turned down the opportunity to play in the 150th anniversary celebration match due to unhappiness with the hierarchy of the club.

The much-loved goal getter netted 62 goals in five seasons with the club, making more than 150 appearances, including topping the club’s scoring chart in the record-breaking 2005/06 season with 22 goals.

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, Kitson has made the ‘personal decision’ to not take part in the celebration match at the end of the season due to feeling ‘very uncomfortable endorsing what Reading Football Club stands for today.’

In a full statement, the 42-year-old said: “The anniversary brings back many happy memories of friendships and achievements from the most enjoyable part of my playing career.

“However, I am very aware that the entity celebrating the 106 team in no way resembles the amazing club that I played for, and as such, I feel very uncomfortable endorsing what Reading Football Club stands for today.

“I wish all of my friends, the staff and above all, the fans, a great day.

“This is a personal decision, and I will be making no further comment.”

The fan favourite is not alone in his views, with supporters holding protests against the direction in which the club is travelling before the 150th anniversary celebration day against Coventry City last month.

Kitson went on to play for the likes of Stoke City, Portsmouth and Oxford United, before retiring in 2014, and he even put his name forward to lead the Professional Footballers Association in 2020 after the resignation of Gordon Taylor.

 

READ MORE: Reading FC fan protest: Why were supporters protesting?

 

Reading Football club declined the opportunity to comment.