Igoe: Playing For Reading No Fun

Last updated : 03 July 2003 By Rob Cooper
Winger Sammy Igoe has taken a snipe at the professional approach of Reading Football Club, claiming that playing for the Royals is 'no fun'.

The 27-year-old former Portsmouth player admits he is already enjoying life in Swindon, and loves the less serious approach the Wiltshire side take to their football.

Igoe signed for arch-rivals Swindon on a free transfer after his contract at the Madejski Stadium expired and the club chose not to renew it.

Reading are a club on the way up the league ladder, thanks in the main to the professional approach that Igoe admitted he dislikes. By eating the right things, not going out late, participating in individually tuned training systems the Royals have been able to shoot up the league.

Not so long ago, a side now challenging for promotion to the Premiership, were languishing in the Division Two relegation zone.

Speaking to ThisIsWiltshire.co.uk Igoe poured scorn on the approach of Reading Football Club.

"It is very, very relaxed here (at Swindon) compared to Reading. That's what I like. I think Reading was a bit too 'professional' for me, if you can say that," he commented.

"You are a professional and it's important to do all the right things, eating and sleeping properly. Everything was based around all those things at Reading and there wasn’t a lot of fun there to be honest.

"There is a lot of banter flying around here and I feel relaxed. I believe if you are relaxed then you will play better football. Maybe the fun has gone out of football a little and I think that's a shame."

Igoe went on to admit that he was disappointed not to play more games last season. The lively winger barely featured although when he came on he put in some impressive performances.

He added: "I was a little bit disappointed not to play more games for Reading last season, but it's the manager who picks the team at the end of the day.

"This is a fresh start for me and I'm looking forward to showing the gaffer and the fans what I can do and hopefully get back to my best."

Despite ending in disharmony, Igoe enjoyed a successful spell at Reading and will be sorely missed by the Royals, especially if prospective new signing Scott Murray fails to live up to his already over-hyped status.