Happy New Year To All
I would like to say a thank you for all the support I have received over the past year since this site has been opperating . I hope to provide the same kind of service for 1998. Plus a couple of new things like video clips and match reports.
I hope that everyone has a safe and happy New Year. (31st Dec. 1997)

Trevor Senior Takes On New Manager Position
Former Reading star Trevor Senior is set to become the new manager of Screwfix Direct Premier Division side Bridport.
Dorchester-born Senior, 36, is the man the Dorset club want to succeed Gary Borthwick who resigned after just three weeks in charge of the club.
Senior's appopintment means he is the third man to take charge of Bridport already this season. (31st Dec. 1997)

Caskey Ready For Crunch Time
Reading midfield star Darren Caskey believes the next few games will shape the way the rest of the season will turn out for the Royals.
Caskey believes the FA Cup tie at Cheltenham, the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough and three big league games will make or break the season.
He said: "A few wins would really be good for the club and set us up for the second half of the season in good shape." (31st Dec. 1997)

Asaba's View On Sending Off
Reading striker Carl Asaba is to appeal against his sending off at QPR in Sunday's 1-1 draw.
The dismissal followed a incident with QPR's Danny Maddix, who was also sent off. It brought an unhappy end to 1997 for Asaba, Reading's record £800,000 signing from Brentford, who has only scored once since mid-October.
Asaba claimed: "It was a disgrace. Danny Maddix came down on top of me and just started punching. You can't get sent off for being fodder. I was just trying to get up." (30th Dec. 1997)

Terry Backing Asaba
Reading boss Terry Bullivant leapt to the defence of striker Carl Asaba following his sending off in the 1-1 draw with QPR.
Asaba and Rangers defender Danny Maddix were both shown the red card for fighting but Bullivant claimed the Royals frontman was the victim.
"We'll be studying the video to see if there is a case for an appeal. Carl had no choice but to fight back," said Bullivant. (29th Dec. 1997)

If Only It Was Boxing Day.
Reading manager Terry Bullivant claimed QPR defender Danny Maddix had used Carl Asaba's head as a boxing 'speed ball' in an incident which resulted in both men being sent off.
The pair fell to the ground fighting 12 minutes from time in a 1-1 draw and the Reading camp felt Asaba was unlucky to follow Maddix off the field as the referee Barry Knight brandished a red card at both players.
Bullivant said: "You can't expect a player to just lie there and take punches. Maddix was using his head like a speed ball.
"Carl says he didn't know how long the punches would go on so he had to kick Maddix off.
"It had been building up but players have to learn to get on with it, not start throwing right-handers.
"I have asked for a video of the incident and I fully expect we will have grounds for appeal on Carl's behalf." QPR manager Ray Harford was tight-lipped about Maddix second red card of the season. He said: "I didn't really see it, there were too many bodies floating around, and it's not the right time to talk to Danny about it."
Harford was disappointed with QPR's performance.
"We are giving it way too easily in midfield. That's why I bought George Kulcsar to improve that situation."
Kulcsar, a £200,000 signing from Bradford, limped out of his debut after only 25 minutes a week ago. - Report From Sporting Life (28th Dec. 1997)

Parky Forced To Miss Out
Reading skipper Phil Parkinson will be missing for Sunday's first division clash with QPR after starting a two-match ban and new boy Jason Bowen will again begin on the bench.
Steve Swales, Gareth Davies and James Lambert have all been affected by a flu bug, and with several others on the injured list, Reading are down to a squad of just 15 fit players.
QPR boss Ray Harford has doubts over the fitness of full-back Rufus Brevett, who was taken ill on Boxing Day, and new £250,000 signing George Kulcsar, who is also rated very doubtful for the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough next week. (27th Dec. 1997)

Mautone On The Road To Recovery
Reading's Australian international goalkeeper Steve Mautone has given manager Terry Bullivant a boost by returning to action following knee surgery.
The former West Ham 'keeper has finally returned after seven weeks out and could return to action.
Mautone played a midweek reserve game and said: "My knee was fine I had a few twinges in my back because I haven't played but that's all." (24th Dec. 1997)

Lots Of Cards From Christmas Ref.
Reading defender Paul Bodin and Wolves midfielder Paul Simpson are hoping that video evidence can clear their names after they were both sent off for the first time at Elm Park on Saturday.
Referee Steve Bennett showed Welsh international Bodin, 33, the first red card of his 17-year career after an incident involving Wolves midfielder Robbie Keane.
The young Irishman went down in the penalty area but Bennett overlooked his claims for a spot-kick.
Television replays show that Reading defender Gareth Davies then ruffles Keane's hair, but Bennett said: "I was told by my assistant that the blue number three struck a Wolves player, so that was the Reading player that I sent off."
Bodin said: "I was nowhere near when Robbie Keane tumbled to the ground. It's the first time I have been sent off in a 17-year career in football and I don't want that staying on my record. I intend to fight it all the way."
Simpson, 31, was dismissed for the first time in his 16-year career for retaliation against Royals midfielder Phil Parkinson.
He said: "If it is proven that I made contact, then I have to accept it. But I hope the referee goes away and has a look at the video.
"I have never gone close to being sent off. That proves I'm not a dirty player. What disappointed me on Saturday was that Trevor Morley, who was my room-mate for three years at Manchester City, gestured to the referee that I had used my elbow." (22nd Dec, 1997)

A Clip From The Chronicle - Dec 5th 1997 Bullivant has already taken Leicester City forward Mark Robins and Sheffield United' Lee Sanderson on loan earlier this season. Neither became a permanent move but with injuries to Barry Hunter, Andy Bernal and Dariusz Wdowczyk, the Royals' need for a defensive back-up has increased. To the right a picture of Gareth Davies who played in todays game agianst Wolves. (20th Dec. 1997)

Terry Wants More Players
Reading manager Terry Bullivant says he is looking to further strengthen his squad despite signing Gareth Davies from Crystal Palace.
Bullivant said: "Gareth is a good signing for us, but that will hopefully not be the last and we are looking at one or two players at the moment."
Reading hope to have Linvoy Primus (shin), Keith McPherson (hip) and Ray Houghton (calf) fit to face Wolves at Elm Park on Saturday following a week of intensive treatment. (19th Dec. 1997)

Parky Faces Suspension
Reading midfielder Phil Parkinson is facing a two-match ban after picking up a sixth booking of the season.
Parkinson was shown the yellow card during the 4-0 defeat at Middlesbrough and under the new totting up procedure he will have to serve a two-game suspension.
The Reading star will miss the match against QPR on Christmas Sunday and also the FA Cup third round tie on January 3. (16th Dec. 1997)

Terry Stands By Losers
Reading manager Terry Bullivant said he was not unhappy with his side despite the 4-0 defeat at promotion chasing Middlesbrough.
Bullivant watched as his side caved in by conceding four goals in the last 13 minutes and refused to knock his players.
He said: "Once Craig Hignett had scored his first goal we had to go looking for an equaliser and we just lost our shape." (14th Dec. 1997)

More Praise From Terry
Royals manager Terry Bullivant has praised striker Martin Williams for the way he has answered his critics this season.
Williams has been one of Reading's key players this season after being switched from the wing to a striker's role and Bullivant is delighted with the result.
He said: "At the start of the season some people were saying that he would be leaving the club, but there is no way that will be happening." (9th Dec. 1997)

Terry Has Mixed Feelings
Reading manager Terry Bullivant had mixed feelings about the FA Cup draw which sees them visit either Cheltenham or Boreham Wood in the third round.
Bullivant said: "Tricky one, this. We would be expected to beat non-league opposition home or away but it's never that simple in the FA Cup.
"Both of them are strong sides and will be fancying their chances but we have to show them we deserve to be in the first division of the Football League." (8th Dec. 1997)

Praise Go Out To Lee Hodges
Reading manager Terry Bullivant was quick to praise striker Lee Hodges after he had put his side on the way to a 2-0 victory against Charlton.
Hodges opened the scoring in the ninth minute before veteran striker Trevor Morley extended the advantage with a 36th minute penalty.
Bullivant said: "Lee hasn't trained all week because of fluid on the knee but, with Ray Houghton injured, we needed him in the side." (7th Dec. 1997)

More Players To Come?
Reading assistant manager Alan Harris says the club are hoping to make a new signing in the near future.
Harris and boss Terry Bullivant have been watching a host of players as they look to strengthen the squad at Elm Park.
He said: "We have found that some are too expensive while some are not available, but there are a few in particular we have been watching and we expect to make a signing sooner, rather than later." (4th Dec. 1997)

Theres More..
Veteran Reading striker Trevor Morley has promised supporters there is even better to come after firing Terry Bullivant's side to victory at Stoke at the weekend.
Former West Ham striker Morley, 36, only returned to action last month following seven months out with a knee ligament injury, but said: "There's more sharpness to come.
"I enjoy scoring and want to continue. The main thing is desire. Some people may lose that but I still have it." (1st Dec. 1997)