Morley Boosts Reading
Reading striker Trevor Morley took a step nearer to a first team return by scoring two goals for the reserves as he continues his comeback from injury.
Morley, 36, played the whole game in Reading's extra-time win over Barnet in the Doxhill Presidents Cup as he tries to battle back from a cruciate knee ligament injury picked up last season.
The veteran striker has put himself forward to feature in this weekend's match at Port Vale, but manager Terry Bullivant is likely to give him more time to reach full fitness. (31st Oct. 1997)

Reading Prepare For Vale Threat
Reading midfielder Phil Parkinson believes that the Roayls can stretch their unbeaten run to nine games if they have the right attitude when they play Port Vale.
Parkinson, who has joined the rest of the squad on a three-day break in Sussex, believes they can build on the draw with leaders Nottingham Forest and continue their fine run.
He said: "We got out of jail against Forest and now we must capitalise by beating Port Vale, and I am confident we'll get something out of that game." (29th Oct. 1997)

Red Card Appeal
Referee M J Brandwood confirmed that on reflection of the incident involving D Beasant (goalkeeper of Nottm Forest) did not warrant any disciplinary action. It has therefore been agree that the sending off will be rescinded and the player will not serve a one match suspension. (28th Oct. 1997)

Hunters Come Back On Hold
Northern Ireland international Barry Hunter has suffered a setback in his battle to recover from a long-term knee injury.
Hunter, 28, who joined Reading from Wrexham in a £400,000 deal last summer, has been out of action for the last seven months after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his left knee.
The centre back, who has been capped 11 times by his country, started running again three weeks ago with a view to making a possible return next month.
But Hunter suffered a recurrence of the problem when he stepped up his training and is now anxiously awaiting the result of a scan on his knee after being referred to a specialist.
He said: "The knee is still sore and very tender which is very frustrating. All the other lads who had long term injuries, like Trevor Morley, Stuart Lovell and Darren Caskey, have made good progress yet I've stood still.
"I thought I was doing okay up to a couple of weeks when I was back running but when I tried to do sprints it became a problem again.
"I've heard a few people say I'm not hurrying to get back but I can assure you I'm doing everything I can to get myself fit and playing again." (27th Oct. 1997)

Bullivant Backs Beasant After Red Card Flurry
Terry Bullivant was full of sympathy for Dave Beasant after the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper saw red on and off the pitch at Elm Park last night.
Furious Beasant said referee John Brandwood was "Messing about with people's careers" after he was controversially sent off during the second half of the dramatic 3-3 first division draw which lifted leaders Forest five points clear.
Bullivant, who saw his side stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches as they hit back from 2-0 and 3-1 behind, said: "If that decision had gone against my player I would have been very upset."
Beasant challenged Martin Williams just inside the Forest box and as the Royals forward hit the floor the referee's assistant flagged for a penalty kick.
Brandwood then showed a stunned Beasant the red card and was surrounded by a posse of angry Forest players.
Beasant, who was replaced in the visitors' goal by centre-half Steve Chettle, took over a minute to leave the pitch after his dismissal and he fumed: "I think it's a scandalous decision.
"I saw the ball come through. He just stood on my foot. The referee didn't give it the linesman gave it and then he sends me off. He's messing about with people's careers."
Forest boss Dave Bassett said sarcastically: "I think the referee and the officials were superb, spot-on. They gave every decision right.
"I think they should go up to the Premier League as soon as possible. I shall give them 10 out of 10.
"Reading gave a penalty away and the player wasn't even booked or sent off. I thought there was another penalty after that.
"Possibly it's an evening-up situation after the penalty, when they (the officials) were put under pressure."
Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk had given Forest a two-goal lead, the second from a penalty early in the second half, before Williams converted Reading's controversial spot-kick.
And although Forest restored their advantage eight minutes later through Kevin Campbell, Reading hit back with strikes by Jamie Lambert and Linvoy Primus to earn a point. (25th Oct. 1997)

No Rush For Morley
Reading striker Trevor Morley has continued his comeback from serious injury by scoring in his first game back for the reserves.
Morley has been out of action for six months with a knee ligament injury but he hit one goal as the reserves thrashed Wycombe 4-0.
He said: "It was nice to be back playing again and nice to score, but I am not going to rush things and risk injuring myself again." (24th Oct. 1997)

Lovell Close To Comeback
Reading striker Stuart Lovell is ahead of schedule and close to making a return from the long-term knee ligament injury which has sidelined him for the last six months.
Lovell, 25, suffered the injury in a reserves game and underwent two or three weeks.
He said: "The stability and strength are back and the graft from my hamstring to my cruciate ligament is sound but until I get the full bend back I wouldn't want to start playing again." (23rd Oct. 1997)

Terry Likes Shut-out
Reading manager Terry Bullivant said he was delighted with his side after they extended their unbeaten record to seven games with a hard-fought goalless draw at Norwich.
The Royals were without striker Carl Asaba with a hamstring injury and Bullivant decided to make some tactical changes for the match.
Bullivant said: "We had to change things round a bit but the players responded well and I am delighted with the draw." (22nd Oct. 1997)

Another Bore Draw
Reading again managed to hold on and keep a point in the bag. Thats severn games with out a defeet and two games without a goal, but whos counting. Yes another bore draw today put the Royals in the 19th spot again. Reading next fixture is at home to Notts. Forest who rest nicely on the top of the table. Before todays game Forest had won three out of four games with something like 26 points which is double the amount we've got. I see that Parky got booked today, so that probably meens he's out for one or more games because of having 4 yellow cards. I also noticed that Asaba didn't play.. I wounder why that was?? Out of favour or injury?? Any way Readings next match is live on sky so that will bring in some income. Lets hope they can score at least one infront of the nation. (22nd Oct.1997)

Asaba Fit To Impress
Reading assistant manager Allan Harris has dismissed speculation linking Tottenham and West Ham with a £1.5 million bid for Carl Asaba.
Both clubs are reported to be lining up offers, but Harris said: "No one has made a bid for him and these links are just speculation."
Defender Linvoy Primus is doubtful for the match at Manchester City on Saturday with a back injury but Asaba should play despite having treatment on a hamstring problem. (17th Oct. 1997)

We're Playing Leeds In CCC
Reading manager Terry Bullivant said he was delighted with the draw for the Coca-Cola Cup fourth round which saw them be handed a trip to Leeds.
Bullivant said he was hoping to be paired with Premier League opposition after his side had knocked out Wolves with a 4-2 victory at Elm Park.
He said: "When you get to this stage of the competition you are always hoping to be drawn against a big side and we are well happy with this draw." (16th Oct. 1997)

Morleys In Training
Reading striker Trevor Morley has been told he can return to training six months after damaging ligaments in his knee.
Morley, 36, has not played since picking up the injury at the end of March but a specialist has now given the all-clear to get back on the training ground.
"It's not giving me any problems at the moment but I do not want to tempt fate by setting a target for my return," said Morley. (16th Oct. 1997)

Happy With up Win
Delighted Reading boss Terry Bullivant praised his players as ex-Reading manager Mark McGhee left Elm Park after another hammering.
Wolves were humbled 4-2 in the Coca-Cola Cup the third successive time McGhee's side have lost on his return to his old club.
Bullivant said: "It looked like we were going to score every time we went forward. I was very pleased." (15th Oct. 1997)

Asaba Says I'm Staying
Reading's £1.5million-rated striker Carl Asaba pledged his future to the first division club.
The striker has scored seven goals since his club record £800,000 move from Brentford to Elm Park in August, and has been watched by Spurs and West Ham.
Asaba, 24, said he intends to see out the three-year contract he signed two months ago.
He said: "It's nice that people are coming to watch me but I'm not concerned about that I just want to score as many goals as possible for Reading.
"I have got three years ahead of me here and I'm looking forward to serving under the management.
"I have scored seven goals this season but I'm a long way behind where I was at this stage last season.
"The goals are going in now starting to go instead of hitting the post and we have a good season ahead of us if we carry on showing the form we have recently which has seen us win our last four matches." (15th Oct. 1997)

Lee Sandford Staying?
Sheffield United are negotiating the sale of defender Lee Sandford to first division rivals Reading. Sandford, one of four players on the transfer list at Bramall Lane, recently returned from a loan spell at Reading. The Blades are looking for a fee in the region of £250,000.

Houghton Returns From International Match
Terry Bullivant has player-coach Ray Houghton available to him again for the Coca-Cola Cup third round tie at home to Wolves on Tuesday.
Houghton missed the draw against Crewe on Saturday because he was captaining the Republic of Ireland but he is expected to come straight back into the team.
Bullivant is hoping his side can extend their unbeaten run to five games against Mark McGhee's team. (13th Oct. 1997)

Terry Praises Lads
Reading boss Terry Bullivant praised his players following an incredible fighting come back against Crewe at Elm Park.
The Royals were 3-0 down after half an hour - but battled back to earn a draw with two goals from Carl Asaba and the other from Ashley Westwood's own goal.
Bullivant said: "We showed incredible character to come back into the game and I felt we could even have won it in the last few minutes." (12th Oct.1997)

Draw Against Crewe
Todays 3 - 3 draw against Crewe wasn't that bad. At one point we were three nill down, but then we managed to put three in the bag. Two goals came from Asaba and the other was an og. This now means we haven't lost a match in four games, and in those four games we have scored over half our total goals scored. Things maybe looking up for the Royals, the next match is at home against Wolves in the Coca Cola Cup third round.
A new thing I want to try with this site is to have video (.avi & .mov) files of Readings greatest goals, and any other goals you can think of.
If you want to see some highlights sned your mail to: bart_simpson@oocities.com. In the next couple of weeks I should have my first video up here. (11th Oct. 1997)

Player News
Bullivant has been boosted, by the recovery of James Lambert from an ankle injury, and Darren Caskey who played his third reserve match against Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday which finished 0 - 0.
David Whyte came closest to hitting the target with two efforts in the second half as he continued to impress since his trial at elm park.
Also playing at Wycombe were Australians Jimmy Tsekinis and Tony Carbone.
Forward Tsekinis looked short of match practice and was subtituted towards the end of the game, while Carbone was impressive until a calf strian forced hime to retire.
Meanwhile, Bullivant has rejected suggestions that he is about to sign Leicester's out of favour striker Steve Claridge.
Claridge has been linked on the Royals clubline after he was made avilabe for transfer by Martin O'Neill.
Bullivant admitted that he rates the former Birmingham forward but added that other Premiership clubs are likely to come in for him. - from Reading Chronicle, by David Alexander. (10th Oct. 1997)
Just a note about the coca cola cup game against Wolves...
The match is not all ticket.

Lets Sign Another Quality Player
Reading manager Terry Bullivant has been told he will have to pay £250,000 if he wants to sign Sheffield United defender Lee Sandford.
Left-back Sandford, 29, played his final game for Reading on Saturday at the end of a successful month on loan at Elm Park but are hopeful they can keep him for another month.
Reading assistant manager Alan Harris said: "We're working hard and are trying to put a deal together that is acceptable to both clubs." (7th Oct. 1997)