Mighty Quinn saves the day
Reading joint boss Jimmy Quinn was the unlikely goalkeeping hero of his side's surprise 3-2 win over division one leaders Bolton at Elm Park.
The Northern Ireland international striker was forced to play the last 39 minutes in goal after Bulgarian keeper Bobby Mihaylov suffered a knee ligament injury.
And he helped his side clinch a victory that striker Trevor Morley's hat-trick set up.
Quinn is no stranger to the goalkeeping jersey. "I played in goal against West Brom last season
and managed to keep a clean sheet," he said proudly.
"Unfortunately I didn't manage to do that today. I didn't really see the first goal but I should have
had the second one. It slipped through my fingers."
"I've never looked before but the gloves Bobby wears are very big. They were far too big for me,"
he joked.
"We didn't really start to play until Bobby went off. It looked like we never passed the ball but
that's something we work on all the time in training and it comes naturally to us. Instead, we played
at their pace until half-time when we had a bit of a go at the lads."
"It was a terrific team performance and the seven points we've got from our last three games have
all come because the lads have been prepared to give 120 per cent. We are very, very pleased," Quinn said.
Bolton boss Colin Todd was disappointed by the way his team failed to cash in on Reading's
goalkeeping problems.
He said: "The worrying thing at the moment is the goals we are conceding. At half-time I couldn't see us losing this game but when the keeper went off I got the feeling that we relaxed a little bit."
"Having got back to 22 there should have been no way that we ended up with less than a point but then we've conceded another goal from set play which has got to stop."
"The only way we can let things slip is if we do it ourselves as you've seen today."
"The same players that got us 61 points have lost three today." (10th Feb. 1997)
Reading are looking for new coach
Mick Gooding and Jimmy Quinn are on the look-out for a new coach after Ray
Harford was appointed manager of West Brom.
Harford had been working as coach at Reading for the last week but his stay at Elm Park was a
short one after he was offered the job at the Hawthorns.
Reading have a doubt over keeper Sal Bibboe who has a swollen knee so Bobby Mihailov is on
stand-by to come back into the side to entertain Bolton. (7th Feb. 1997)
Parkinson is back
Reading have been boosted today by the return of midfield player Phil
Parkinson.
Parkinson has been out of action for the past two months after suffering a dislocated shoulder but
played for an hour during a midweek reserve game.
Joint player manager Mick Gooding said: "Parky did well and it was good to see him back. He will give us a few extra options." (5th Feb. 1997)
Royals make bid for city striker
Reading could be ready to make an offer to buy Bristol City striker David Seal.
The Australian has been unsettled at Ashton Gate this season having been top scorer at the club
the year before.
He fell out with manager Joe Jordan earlier this season and First Division strugglers Reading may
be about to spend around £100,000 to get the 25-year-old to Elm Park. (4th Feb. 1997)
