Hunty’s Column: Unhappy New Year

Our columnist is worried by the direction the club is going in at the moment.

Happy New Year? Not really is it, let’s be honest! As Depeche Mode once said at their finest, “people are people so why should it be? You and I should get along so awfully.”

Sadly, that sounds a lot like a tribute to Reading FC at the minute. Our club is a mess, with players falling out, fans rowing on social media, and both groups arguing with each other. I wasn’t at the game on Saturday, so I can’t comment on what did or didn’t happen, but the fallout has certainly been immense.

When’s the last time we had this? The Guthrie no show at Sunderland? The Sonko-Fae refusal to play in a reserve game? The Matt Mills finger?

I’m sure there are others but do you know what? I don’t really care about any of that - I love this club. It’s always been there for me when my life isn’t going so well. Over many years, I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly at my club.

Things get better, so just keep believing! My life isn’t easy - supporting Reading certainly is never easy.

Everyone is frustrated at what’s going on, and we all care in our own ways rightly or wrongly in how we show it. Chris Gunter and Paul McShane spoke out after what happened on Saturday and, whatever people think of them, at least they had the decency to comment.

I do wish we could hear more about what the owners plans though - they could learn a thing or two from Gunter and McShane.

In truth, we all say or do things in the heat of the moment because no one is perfect. I for one have had a few stuff-ups in my time with what I’ve said on poxy social media about certain players, but I hold my hands up - I got it wrong and may do so again.

At the end of the day though, we can all hopefully learn from our mistakes.

What will fix our current problems as a team? To be honest, I’m not sure.

There’s the Stam In/Out debate, but at this point I really don’t care - I just want us to be our club again, little old Reading, all of standing side-by-side against the world, proving everyone wrong and fighting above our weight.

Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images

The rest of the season isn’t going to be easy and I get why - we were just a penalty or two away from the Promised Land, but it wasn’t to be. The club lost a decent player or two, but now we just have to move on - we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes.

It’s sad to see that people are refusing to watch games under our current manager. However, although that is of course their right and choice, who am I to judge?

Personally, I fly over to games when I can - I just love the match day experience. I get drinks with friends, say hi to the players and get a few photos and autographs.

Reading is where I still call home 46 years, and that will never change. I love you Reading FC, thanks for being a friend when I’ve really needed it x