Former Reading FC striker Simon Church admitted that his “one regret” is that he did not play in the Premier League with the Royals.

The Wales international came through the youth system at Reading and made more than 120 appearances across five years as a professional at the club.

A key member of the promotion-winning side of 2011/12 but played just one League Cup game for the club in their 2012/13 Premier League campaign and spent a period on loan at Huddersfield Town.

Speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle, the former Charlton Athletic and MK Dons forward reflected: “I was gutted. Out of my whole career it’s probably the one regret I have. I felt I had deserved it. I was a big part of the team that got promoted, had a really good pre-season and unfortunately, I felt it was a bittersweet ending to my time at Reading. Could I have done more, of course I could, but did I deserve a chance in the Premier League, that’s something that has stayed with me.”

The fan favourite has returned to the club many a time since announcing his retirement in 2018, including the 150th anniversary celebration match against Coventry City earlier this year.

Having appeared on popular Royals podcasts, the 33-year-old has given his views on the club and the way in which it is currently run.

 

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Simon Church celebrates scoring (credit: Chris Forsey)

 

He explained: “The sad thing is it is now a completely different club to the one I grew up with. It’s lost its identity a bit. The period we had the most success I grew up with, as did lots of Reading fans. By the time I left I could feel things changing.

“The owners have spent a lot of money but its where they’ve spent the money and who’s advising them? Is it in the best interest of the club or the best interest of business? You need football people who understand the club or the Championship.

“It looks like a shambles and that’s not going to help anyone on the pitch. It all starts from the top. From my perspective, it starts from the top and that’s where we had good success in previous years.”

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, with the striker looking back “fondly” on his time as a Royal.

He added: “I’ve got hugely fond memories coming through and the experiences I had was amazing. It was all I wanted to do. After the first season it was difficult, and I felt politics got in the way which made it a bittersweet ending. It’s still a club I’ve got lots of fond memories.”