Slater To Meet Town Stars - 27th May

New manager Roddy Slater is planning to have a meeting with Reading Town players soon to discuss his future plans. “I have spoken to eight or nine of them, but most just want to forget about football at the moment and have a break before thinking about next season,” said Slater, who took over last week after Colin Millard had quit the Scours Lane club. “I have no problems with that, as it has been a long season for them. But I would like to get as many together as I can, so I can tell them of my plans and discuss next season with them. They have just had a tremendous season, played some great football to finish third in the Hellenic Premier Division and I will be looking to take things on from there. I like to see continuity, but a few new faces around the place will freshen things up.”

Several Reading Town players are waiting to see if Millard gets fixed up with another club before deciding whether to stay or go. Slater, who was Millard’s assistant manager in the early 2000s, is also expected to sign players from his former club, Henley. He has already brought along coaches Tommy Boylan and Mark Bartley. Barry Hunter, the former Reading and Northern Ireland defender, was part of the Henley coaching set up last season and could also follow them to Scours Lane.

Slater Moves To Reading - 21st May

Reading Town have appointed Roddy Slater as their new manager. He takes over from Colin Millard, who quit last weekend, along with his assistants Glenn Goudie and Rob Wytchard. Several players have been talking about leaving, while influential defender Michael Buck has already been linked with a Southern League club.

Slater, 37, who recently left Henley Town after three years in charge, will be returning to Scours Lane, having been assistant to Millard back in the early 2000s. Slater’s management team will include Tommy Boylan and player Mark Bartley, plus one other yet to be named. “We will be looking to assemble a squad as soon as possible,” said Slater. “Colin did an excellent job there, but I will be looking to build on that. I will probably bring some of those who played with me at Henley, but I want to sign Reading (based) players either from a higher level or who are already in the Hellenic League.”

Town chairman Roland Ford said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Roddy back at the club. He was very positive when we interviewed him and is confident he can maintain the progress we made under Colin. “He knows he will be working with a small budget, as he was at Henley, but still believes he can get a strong squad together as we look to improve on this season.” Millard said: “We left because we feel that it would almost be impossible to improve on last season without investment into the playing squad. “Unfortunately, the club is not in a position to provide this.” Ford added: “Colin made it clear that he feels without a considerable increase in his budget that he can’t take the club any further. “With a few key players wanting to try to play at a much higher level, he feels he would not be able to attract replacements and improve the squad as he would like to do. “Nobody needs to be told how precarious finance in football currently is with many clubs at our level and above withdrawing their playing budgets last year due to the economic situation, which has affected sponsorship and income from functions. “It was a struggle to honour the agreement made with the manager at the start of the season and, with no easing of the financial situation in sight, we feel we cannot put the club at risk by doubling our budget for players. We would like to thank Colin for all his hard work over the years and wish him well in the future.”

Millard quashed rumours linking him with the manager's job at Abingdon United. Reading finished third in the Premier Division, falling away in the closing stages after being the leaders for much of the season. They also reached three cup finals, but suffered heavy defeats in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy and A M Print and Copy Floodlit Cup finals before ending their season with a 4-1 win over Combined Counties League side Hanworth Villa to lift the Southern Combination Cup. It was still their most successful season ever, but then it could have been ever better.

Millard Quits Reading Town - 18th May

Colin Millard has sensationally quit as Reading Town manager after one of the club’s most successful ever seasons. Coaches Glenn Goudie and Rob Wytchard have also left the Scours Lane club, which looked destined for glory this season.

Their team had led the Hellenic League Premier Division for six months, but a loss of form in March and injury and suspension to key players saw them overhauled, and they eventually finished third behind Almondsbury and Shortwood United. They also reached three cup finals, but were heavily beaten in two of them before lifting the Southern Combination Cup last Thursday.

Millard did extremely well with a small squad and with a limited budget and was keen to strengthen his squad. But when he asked the club’s committee to ask for more cash there were no reassurances that more could be found. Millard said: “We have left because we feel that it would almost impossible to improve on this season without investment into the playing squad. “Unfortunately, the club is not in a position to provide this.”

Town chairman Roland Ford said he hopes to fill the vacancy very soon. “We have already had several good quality candidates putting their name forward,” said Ford.

Reading Looking for Third Final Place - 8th May

Reading Town bid to reach their third final in a month when they take on Molesey in the semi-finals of the Southern Combination Cup at Scours Lane on today (3pm kick-off).

It will give them an opportunity to help erase some of the painful memories of the last two finals, which brought nothing but heartache. Having been given a 6-2 hiding by Newport Pagnell in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy at Chesham three weeks earlier, Town crashed 5-0 (5-3 on aggregate) to Shortwood United in the second leg of the Hellenic League Floodlit Cup on Tuesday.

Scott Rees, who was injured against Shortwood, is a doubt for todays game, but Buck, Hancock, Dave Mills, Luca Riccio and Ian Brooks, none of whom played at Shortwood, could return.

Reading Town from: Grace, Buck, Hancock, Hughes, Hazell, Dennis, Williamson, Ritchie, Rees, Riccio, Clifford, Mills, Brooks, Camp-Overy, Parfitt, Thomas, Clark.

If Reading win, they will meet Combined Counties League Premier Division side Hanworth Villa in the final next Thursday (7.45pm) at Scours Lane.

Selection Problems - 16th April

Reading Town could be without at least seven players for their Hellenic League trip to champions-elect Almondsbury on Saturday.

Their injured list is growing all the time and manager Colin Millard could be left with only one regular defender. The players he is left with will need an awful lot of lifting following their 6-2 defeat by Newport Pagnell in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy final at Chesham on Tuesday.

Leg-weary Town, who beat the United Counties League side in last year’s final, produced their worst display for a long time, conceding three goals inside the opening 15 minutes and trailing 5-1 at half-time. Dean Thomas scored one in each half for Town. Goalkeeper Chris Grace will have been left disappointed with his performance, but he still made several excellent saves, one coming from a penalty, on a night when he was frequently left exposed by his defenders. “The game highlighted the reason why we are struggling of late,” said Millard "Our players seem shattered and with such a small squad it is impossible to rest people especially when you already have four or five players out. The depth just isn’t there.
Our performance in the first half was inept. Newport had greater desire and energy which we could not and did not match. Individually we had too many passengers. For the team to save their worst performance for many years for a cup final is a massive disappointment, but we got what we deserved. The season is limping towards a very disappointing end for us, especially after seven months of outstanding effort and determination.”

Millard will be hoping his battle-weary squad will be able to lift themselves for their remaining three leagues games and the final of the A&M Print Cup. Defenders Tristram Dennis (hamstring), Mark Hughes (knee), Gordon Ritchie (knee) and Mike Hancock (ankle) were all injured on Tuesday and are unlikely to play at Almondsbury tomorrow, a week after the two sides drew 1-1 at Scours Lane. Full-back Will Bratt is on crutches after fracturing his foot, while wide player Danny Williamson is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. Central defender Michael Buck is still suspended, but Scott Rees has completed his ban and returns.

All Still To Play For - 9th April

Reading Town’s seven-month stay at the top of the Hellenic League is over, but they can regain it on Saturday.

Title favourites Almondsbury moved into pole position following Wednesday’s 4-1 home win over third-placed Wantage, the side that had beaten Town 3-1 two days earlier. With three games in hand, the Gloucestershire side look set to lift the title, but Town are determined to make things difficult for them. The top two meet at Scours Lane tomorrow (3pm kick-off) and at Oakland Park a week later. Team manager Colin Millard said his side are determined to finish on a high. He said: “It gives us an opportunity to thank our supporters for their wonderful support this season by putting on a good show against the champions-elect. We hope we have entertained them and they have enjoyed following us on our journey. I also hope they have seen the massive improvement of not only the club but of individual players. While a lack of experience maybe seen as a weakness of ours, we have seen our young players playing with cohesion, desire and a freedom which has seen them lead the league from day one. For a club with our resources it could be said we have punched above our weight throughout the season, but we have witnessed many of our own youth products grow in stature to become very strong step five players and while it’s not mathematically impossible to win the league title it is maybe unrealistic at this stage. But stranger things have happened so we must apply as much pressure as possible to Almondsbury by winning at Scours Lane.”

Town will be without the suspended Michael Buck and Scott Rees for tomorrow’s game, while Danny Williamson is also ruled out after aggravating a hamstring injury in training last week. They will also miss the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy final against Newport Pagnell at Chesham next Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off). This is a repeat of last year’s final, which Town won 2-0.

Millard said: “The final gives our players an opportunity to add some silverware to the plaudits they have received for the majority of this season. We appreciate the importance of the game and are aware of Newport Pagnell’s strength and desire to avenge the result from last season’s final. “It would be a travesty in my opinion if we end the season trophyless, but we have no divine right and will need to work hard to be successful.”

Town Are Flying - 12th March

Reading Town’s return to form will be fully tested when they visit Oxford City Nomads tomorrow.

Colin Millard’s men have beaten Ardley 4-1 and Shrivenham 5-0 in the league in the last two weeks, whilst also winning 2-0 at Abingdon Town to reach the final of the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy for the second year in succession. But the Hellenic League Premier Division leaders face a difficult match at Court Place Farm.

Nomads may be mid-table, but they are also a team in form, as they showed last Tuesday when they became the first side to win at title-chasing Almondsbury this season. That shock 2-0 scoreline leaves Almondsbury seven points behind Reading with three matches in hand. Their performance will have given Nomads’ confidence another boost as they seek their fifth league win in a row. Reading will be without striker Dean Thomas, who is suspended following a sending off with his previous club Ascot United. They also have a doubt concerning Aaron Parfitt, who twisted his ankle in last Saturday’s 5-0 win over Shrivenham at Scours Lane.

Parfitt missed the Abingdon Town game which took holders Town through to the final. They will play the winners of next Tuesday’s semi-final between Newport Pagnell and Sandhurst. It took a little time for Millard’s men to find their rhythm at Culham Road, but once they had gone ahead they always looked the more likely winners.

Reading were solid in defence and Abingdon created few scoring chances. With Parfitt out injured, Scott Rees took over the dead-ball duties and the midfielder, who had an excellent game, swung over a right-wing corner that Abingdon skipper Christian Perkins, under pressure from Thomas, could only head into his own net to give Town a 29th-minute lead. Rees also went close with a free-kick just before half-time. The Scours Lane men made a bright start to the second half and Ian Harvey and James Clark both had shots blocked in quick succession in the home goalmouth. The pressure paid off as Reading doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Clark fired home a low drive that went in off the inside of the post. “It’s pleasing to be in the final again,” said Millard. “I thought we produced a workmanlike, but not spectacular performance.“We came to do job and we did it in a professional manner.”

Half Price For Royals Fans - 5th March

Attendances at Scours Lane have started to creep up in recent weeks and club chairman Roland Ford is hoping the trend will continue. He said: “With the Royals not playing (against Aston Villa) until Sunday, their fans will be more than welcome to come down to see us play tomorrow. If they show their season tickets at the turnstiles, we will let them in for half-price (£3).”

Having lost 1-0 at home to Ardley United last month, Colin Millard’s men were fully wound up for Tuesday’s return encounter. They produced an excellent performance as they followed up last Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Witney United.
“It was the best we’ve played for several months,” said club chairman Roland Ford. “We pushed the ball around superbly and could easily have won by a much bigger margin. We made them (Ardley) chase so hard that three of their players went down with cramp late in the game.”

Parfitt gave Town the lead when he scored direct from an inswinging corner. He doubled the advantage early in the second half and then midfielder Scott Rees rounded off an excellent move to make it 3-0. Ardley never really looked like scoring, but pulled one back from the penalty spot following a foul by Mark Hughes. Town regained their three-goal advantage with a fine late goal from Danny Williamson.

The win keeps Town four points clear of Almondsbury in the Hellenic League Premier Division. The pair are so far clear of third-placed Wantage that the title race looks like being a two-horse affair. Town have played three more matches than Almondsbury and still have to play them twice, at home on April 10 and away a week later.

The Bristol side must be slight favourites, though, on current form. They have won seven league games in succession, with the last three producing 16 goals. Reading didn’t enjoy the best of February's, with successive home defeats at the hands of Ardley and Highworth. Wins over Witney and at Ardley in the past week suggest they are recovering from those set-backs. But they remain under pressure to string together a good home run and Millard knows it is vital his side secure another three points when Shrivenham visit Scours Lane tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Town will be seeking a double, having won 2-0 at Shrivenham last November thanks to goals from Rees and Dave Mills. That was also the scoreline when Reading returned to Shrivenham for a Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy quarter-final tie in January.

Town haven’t seen the back of Ardley this season, as they have been drawn away to them in the quarter-finals of the Bluefin Insurance Brokers Cup. A date has still to be arranged.

Town Try To Bring Back Player- 26th February

Reading Town are hoping to sign Dean Thomas (pictured) for the second time this season.
The former Bracknell striker joined them earlier in the season, scoring three goals in eight appearances. But frustrated at not commanding a regular place, he left to join Hellenic League rivals Ascot United.

Town, however, are now hoping to bring him back, and he could play against Witney United at Scours Lane on Saturday.
With the experienced Graham Lewis unlikely to play again this season due to a knee injury, manager Colin Millard is anxious to boost an attack which has failed to score in their last two home games, which led to them suffering 1-0 defeats at the hands of Ardley and Highworth.

As a result, Town have seen their lead at the top of the Premier Division cut to just four points, but having played three more games than second-placed Almondsbury, Millard kept his players in the dressing room for more than an hour following their defeat by Highworth. “For a second week running we were very disappointed with our play in the final third,” said the Town boss. “The fact that we rarely tested the Highworth keeper went to show our lack of imagination and movement. Added to this for the second week we have gifted our opponents a cheap goal, this time from very poor marking at a set-piece. There certainly seems to be a lack of belief among the squad which I’m struggling to understand.”

Millard, however, believes his side can pull out of their barren spell. “Yes, we have suffered two poor home defeats on the bounce, but we must remind ourselves that we are still top of the league, in two cup semi-finals and through to the latter stages of two other cup competitions. When your backs are against the wall you have to roll-up your sleeves and fight.
“We must starting ‘walking the walk’ again quickly.”

Apart from Lewis, Millard expects to have a full-strength squad to choose from tomorrow.

No More Home Slips - 19th February

Colin Millard knows Reading Town cannot afford any more slip ups at home if they are to stay at the forefront of the Hellenic League title race. Town lost their unbeaten record at Scours Lane when losing by the only goal to Ardley last Saturday, and that has now put extra pressure on them winning their next two home games.

They meet Highworth on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and Witney United a week later. “It was a disappointing result for us last Saturday and we need to bounce back this week,” said Millard. Town lacked the killer punch against an Ardley side which finished with 10 men and Millard may make a change or two for Highworth’s visit. There is a chance that new signing Ian Harvey, who played for Bracknell last season, will make the starting line-up. He came on as a substitute in the game against Ardley. Town will be seeking a double, having won 4-2 at Highworth on Boxing Day. More than 200 watched that game and Reading wish they could also attract that sort of attendance at their home games.

But their efforts to raise funds to make ground improvements has certainly been given a boost.Their ‘Golden Gate Club’, set up to buy two new turnstiles, has topped £900, which is more than half the amount need. With another £600 promised, Town have already placed the order. Club chairman Roland Ford said: “We have also received a pledge to pay for the additional seats we need to have and to enlarge the dug-outs. “We can also now plan to do internal alterations in the club, which will cover all the work needed to progress in the league.” Progress on the field was halted by Ardley last Saturday, but Millard is hoping it is only a temporary hitch and is confident his side can get back to winning ways tomorrow. In a bid to attract more support from local fans, Town have now got their PA system back up working and snacks are available in the clubhouse. A match-day raffle has also started, with Reading Town Ladies players selling tickets.
On the social side, Town are also holding a music night featuring a live band on March 6, while a Gentlemen's Evening is planned for March 11.

Injury Blow - 13th February

Reading Town have suffered a blow as they look to hot up their Hellenic League title bid. Striker Graham Lewis is sidelined by injury and there are fears he could be out for some time. Lewis, who missed several matches through an ankle injury earlier in the season, limped off with a knee injury late in Town’s 2-1 win over Dorking in the second round of the Southern Combination Cup at Scours Lane last Thursday.

He had not been on the field long after coming off the bench. “It’s a bit worrying,” admitted Town manager Colin Millard. “The best-case scenario is medial ligament damage which would rule him out for between two to four weeks. But the worse-case scenario is cruciate damage which is obviously long-term. We are now awaiting the results of a scan.”

Millard revealed he is now keen to find a new striker to boost his squad. Lewis apart, he has a fully fit squad to pick from for the Premier Division game with Ardley United at Scours Lane today (3pm kick-off).

Young striker Dwayne Hamilton, who played the whole game against Dorking last Thursday, is likely to lead the attack alongside leading-scorer James Clark. Town have had their lead at the top of the table cut to 10 points by Almondsbury United, who beat Abingdon Town 2-0 on Wednesday. They have played three fewer games than Reading. Wantage are also a threat to Reading. They are 12 points adrift of the leaders with two games in hand. The title race could well go right to the wire as Reading’s last three fixtures, all in April, are against Wantage and then home and away with Almondsbury. “It would be nice if we can play Almondsbury with the title already won,” said Millard. If that is to be achieved, then we need to carry on our current form. We now have three home games in a row – against Ardley, Highworth and Witney – and can’t afford any slip ups.”
In addition to the league, Town are still involved in four cup competitions. They include the Hellenic League’s A M Print & Copy Floodlit Cup, where Reading have been drawn with local rivals Binfield in the two-legged semi-finals. Dates have still to be arranged. Tomorrow, Binfield travel to Fairford for a league fixture.

Colin Millard is confident Reading Town will reach their goals on and off the field this year. His Hellenic League table toppers are bang on course for promotion to the Zamaretto League and will need to slip up badly to miss out. But moving up the non-league soccer ladder comes at a cost – and Town currently have very little in the bank. They need to make improvements at their Scours Lane ground to bring it up to Zamaretto standards, including seating under the covered stand behind the goal, two turnstiles and more toilets. “We need around £8,000 in all,” said Millard. Town have launched a big fund-raising campaign and are appealing to the local community to help them out. The players’ themselves are organising fund-raising events and the club have launched a scheme where anyone giving them cash will have their name put on a brick-shape plaque just inside the main entrance of the ground.

Chairman Roland Ford said: “It can be just the name of the donor, or it could carry a small message or even advertising a company. The more bricks bought the bigger acknowledgement or advertising space will be seen.” Ford chaired a special meeting for supporters at the club last Saturday. “It went very well,” he said. “We had some great pledges of support, so our target is looking very achievable now.” Ford also sold around 20 of the club’s new scarves at last Thursday’s Southern Combination Cup tie against Dorking. Millard added: “I am confident we can meet the ground grading deadline, but we still need more people coming through our gate, not just for financial reasons but because the team needs the support. We have eight tough home league games left and no doubt there will come a time when we need our supporters to lift the side. Greater the number hopefully the greater the impact.”

Significant Day - 6th February

Reading Town are without a game on today, but it could still be a significant day in the club’s history.

The runaway Hellenic League leaders are bang on course for promotion to the Zamaretto League, but their progress could be stopped by a lack of finance. Chairman Roland Ford said: “We need to improve our facilities at Scours Lane to meet certain ground grading standards, but they don’t come cheap and at the moment we don’t have enough money to pay for them. We have our own ideas for fund raising, but we are also appealing to the local community, including our former players, to help us out. We are holding an open day tomorrow (Saturday 6th Febraury) from 10.30am and everyone is welcome to attend. We would like get some fresh ideas about ways of fund raising and club officials will be on hand to answer questions.”

Town, who lead the Premier Division by 15 points after winning 21 of their 26 games, provide the highest grade of football in the town next to Coca-Cola Championship side Reading FC. And they are also making an offer to Royals fans by offering cut-price admission to Scours Lane matches on the production of their season-ticket. In future, children will be admitted free to Town’s home matches if they are accompanied by an adult. Manager Colin Millard said: “We need more people coming through the gate. Reading FC supporters need to know that we offer an alternative to Championship matches when the Royals are playing away on a Saturday afternoon. Their entrance money at Scours Lane would really make a difference to Reading Town.”

Ford added: “In order to progress up the non-league ladder, we are required to erect another 100 seats in the covered accommodation behind the goal and to install two turnstiles. We also have to install a public address system, and add further toilet facilities. We are in the process of trying to get a grant from the Football Association, but the club are in need of a benefactor – be it an individual, company or organisation, who may be willing to fund or part fund the cost of these necessary improvements. For example, each turnstile will cost £800 to supply and install. In return, the club can offer advertising around the ground and in the programme. If a turnstile can be supplied, the gate can be named to acknowledge the benefactor’s name with a suitable sign placed above. The turnstiles face the busy railway track, on which more than one million passengers pass by each week.”

Town have already launched a Golden Gate Club, where for £30 a person can have their name, or a message, placed on a brick at the entrance to the club. Cheques, which need to be made payable to Reading Town FC, should be sent to Golden Gate Club, Reading Town FC, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, RG30 6AY.