PETER Shreeves, Dick Leach and Bobby Williams were among the many former Reading FC personnel who attended the funeral service of former Reading legend Johnny Walker last week.

When Shreeves started playing for the club, Walker was the skipper and said he looked after him extremely well.

Leach also spoke highly of the man, as did Williams, who along with the Scot used to manage the Reading youth team.

Former England international Terry Paine, who played with Walker at Southampton, sent a message which was read out at the well-attended service held at Caversham Crematorium.

Glasgow-born Johnny, who played for Reading from 1957 to 1964, died on January 23 at the age of 90.

The wake was held at Theale Social Club, close to where Johnny lived, with many mementoes of his playing career on display.

Reading FC historian David Downs: "The day was a very fitting tribute to a great guy. Several mourners travelled long distances to attend, which was good to see."

  • THE telephone line between Reading City and the Hellenic League HQ has been busy once again.

Club chairman Martin Law is not happy – and he appears to have a good reason for complaining.

City have been given what could prove a very vital fixture at Longlevens on Good Friday, April 19.

Making the 70-mile trip to the Gloucestershire ground is not easy at the best of times, but to make it worse for City is that the kick-off time is noon, which is going to mean an early start for his players and with some also probably making other plans for the Easter break.

Both sides – also due to meet at Rivermoor the previous Saturday – are currently in the Premier Division relegation zone, so there could be a lot at stake.

However, Law is hoping his side will pull themselves up the table, particularly as they have five successive home games in March, starting with Wantage next Monday evening.

The team finishing bottom look certain to be relegated, but how many clubs will go down as well won't be known until the summer when the FA announce the 2019-20 format of the non-league pyramid.