As far as football is concerned, the friendship of Yashwa Romeo and David Downs goes back a long way.

David, then a teacher at Ranikhet School in Reading, helped run the Reading Primary Schools’ representative side with Yashwa one of his top players.

“He was very quick,” recalls David. “He was not physically big, but was strong and always dangerous in front of goal.”

That was more than 25 years ago. Today the pair are still involved with the same team – Thatcham Town.

David is the club president, while Yashwa is on the coaching staff and still capable of pulling on his boots to assist the Kingfishers.

And they could shortly be looking forward to stepping out at Wembley for the FA Vase final.

However, for that dream to become a reality, the Berkshire side have to beat 1874 Northwich in the two-legged semi-final. The first leg takes place at Waterside Park this Saturday, with the return at Witton Albion FC a week later.

Thatcham are expecting a crowd of close to 2,000, with at least 400 following the North West Counties League Premier Division side.

David said: “It is going to be a memorable day for everyone connected with Thatcham. Hopefully, the team will go on to appear in their first Wembley final.”

Fighting fit

ONE-time Reading FC reporter Nick Ive is looking for a fight.

He has bravely agreed to take part in a white-collar boxing event in Southsea tomorrow (Friday).

It’s all for a good cause as proceeds from the evening will be given to the Amelia-Mae Foundation - a children’s s cancer charity.

The former Reading Post and Sun journalist will be up against Clarke Morris.

Nick, who has been working out Leigh Park Amateur Boxing Club, commented: “I will be massively stepping out of my comfort zone. At the age of 45 and being ridiculously unfit, overweight, I have nothing to lose . . . apart from my teeth and pride.”

He will be involved in one of 18 scheduled contests for the evening, which is close to being a sell-out at The Pyramids.