HAVING seen him play for Reading Schools a good few years ago, it was good to catch up with Hayden Mullins last Sunday.

He received a late call-up to guest for Sky Sports in a charity football match against AFA United at Bracknell Town’s ground.

Earlier in the afternoon, the former Ryeish Green pupil had been spotted running the line at the Bracknell versus Ascot United Under 16 game–- his son Max scored for the hosts – by Sky reporter and fellow ex-professional Clinton Morrison and was asked to play.

And 39-year-old Hayden, whose old clubs include Crystal Palace, West Ham, Portsmouth and Reading, also netted for Sky in their 3-2 defeat.

After giving up his pro career, he later returned to his home-town club Reading to keep an eye on the development of young players who were out on loan before joining Watford, where he is currently involved with their U23 side.

  • TALKING of former Reading soccer stars from yesteryear, it's good to see Jamie Cureton still banging in the goals at the age of 43.

The striker, who netted 108 goals for the Royals between 2000-03, is now playing for Bishop’s Stortford in the Bostik League, while also being one of their caretaker managers. He tops the Premier Division’s scoring charts with eight goals.

Another Bostik ace with the same number of goals is Bracknell Town’s Liam Ferdinand, who lives in Reading, and he will be looking to add to his tally in two very interesting games coming up at Larges Lane later this month.

In the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy, the Robins will be up against a Bognor Town side whose goalkeeper is former Reading FC youngster and current Berkshire cricketer Dan Lincoln on October 27. And the following Tuesday, providing there is no replay at Bognor, Ferdy will be looking for goals against Reading U23s in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.

  • PACO Castagna is clearly a chip off the old block.

Last weekend, the son of former Reading Racers speedway star Armando won the Italian Championship after winning 13 heats over two days. But he has some way to emulate his dad, who lifted the national title a record 12 times.