Despite pitting two teams of Reading FC ‘legends’ against each other at Saturday’s 150th anniversary celebration match, three of those present at the event last weekend are on the look out for new clubs ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

On the day a Brian McDermott side, some up to 10 years younger than their Steve Coppell counterparts, emerged 8-5 victors at a memorable afternoon in the SCL Stadium.

We take a look below at the three stars still kicking a ball in the professional game.

 

Alex Pearce

Academy graduate Pearce was a mainstay in his seven years with the Royals first team, first given the captain’s armband at the tender age of just 21. Player of the Season in the 2011/12 campaign as the side won the Championship, the much-loved centre-back remained in RG2 until 2015 when he departed to join Derby County after more than 200 appearances in blue and white.

He made more than 50 appearances for the Rams across four seasons before hopping back down toward home and signing permanently for loan club Millwall in 2019.

After almost 100 games, and even being made club captain at the Den, the former Republic of Ireland international was made a free agent this month at the age of 33.

 

 

Jem Karacan

Another Academy graduate and another former captain, Karacan impressed mightily on Saturday, even getting on the score sheet.

Similar to Pearce, the former Turkey Under-21 international made his debut in 2007 and stayed with the club until 2015, racking up almost 200 appearances- with long-term injuries hampering his final tally short of what it would have been had he not been so unlucky.

Joining Turkish giants Galatasaray following the expiration of his contract seven years ago, 2017 saw the return of Karacan to English football.

Like Pearce still only 33, the tenacious midfielder has spent time at Bolton Wanderers, Millwall, Central Coast Mariners in Australia and Scunthorpe United but has failed to register 25 appearances with any, still looking for the next settled club to call home.

 

Joseph Mills

Full-back Mills’ connection with the club does not go back as far as the previous two entries, but Mills was still important to the 2012 title-winning side and was on display over the weekend.

Only 32, the left-back departed defeated play-off challengers Northampton Town last week after registering more than 50 appearances over two seasons.

Still young when playing 16 games for the Royals in 2011/12, Mills has gone on to have an established career in the third and fourth tiers of English football, most notably captaining Forest Green Rovers.