Reading Vs Millwall 29th August 1995

To most people this was not only a forgettable experience but a bitter loss for the Royals as well. That’s what makes “my favourite Royals game” that little bit special because a game that has been placed into the football equivalent of Room 101 still gives me fond memories. Millwall may have won the game 2-1 and it really was one of those uneventful mid-week matches that I’d been used to watching throughout the mid nineties. Although I still remember Gooding bagging a goal for the Elm Park faithful. Unsurprisingly as we had the travelling fans walking down from the station, every local copper had been put on overtime and the horses were in full use.

But it wasn’t the players on the pitch that made it memorable. As the half time whistle sounded I was ushered onto the pitch, in full kit, as an 11-year-old footballer. I’d been drilled on the short journey to Elm Park and expected to take on a rival group of players in a game of American penalties. At that age the attendance of 10,143 seemed like a filled Old Trafford, especially when I was pointed to the goal in front of the Millwall fans. As a kid having been told the tales of Millwall that every father tells his son, a win would put them top of the league, albeit 4 games in, that made me that bit more nervous.

Flicking the ball up to take my first American penalty, being a cocky little ‘git’, I chipped the keeper and got a cheer off of the Away fans, for the first and last time. Another couple of plays later I honestly believed that my dream of becoming a professional footballer would come true. Just wearing my boots on the pitch like my hero’s did five minutes earlier and believing even at that age that I would be the next Robin Friday. Now as a humble Journalist I get the joy of writing about the wonderful game from my desk, which is undoubtedly the next best thing, especially as I can do it with a beer in my hand.

Maybe without that first taste of football I might never have had the engrained love for the club. That’s why whenever a group of aspiring footballers take to the field I’m always one of the first to stand and applaud. If only one of those down there make it as a pro then maybe they’ll remember that day like I did and join the Royals.