Final event for a decade brings the number up to 125
Supporters’ Trust at Reading (STAR) hosted their final Hall of Fame event for a decade on Sunday evening, honouring club legends and bringing the total number up to 125 inductees.
Players of all eras were welcomed into the exclusive club (as well as some off-field staff) – the Hall of Fame project, which has hosted four previous events in recent years, is now effectively ‘full’ for the immediate future!
Travelling fans know the consternation that can be caused by roadworks. And in this instance, it was supporters and guests who were attempting to make their way to the Select Car Leasing Stadium who were affected by M4 closures!
But all involved had an enjoyable time – and there were some powerful speeches, by inductees and their relatives.
That included an emotive address from Robin Friday’s twin brother Tony, and a powerful speech from Mark McGhee, 28 years after his departure from Reading – ending with a warm embrace with Sir John Madejski!
A number of new entrants were made from promotion-winning sides since we made the move to RG2 in 1998, and Fran Kirby – who began her career as a Royal and who won the Women’s European Championship with England in the summer – was also honoured on the night.
The 26 new names added were as follows…
1880s
Thomas Turner
1890s
Phil Bach
1900s
Billy Beats
1910s
John B Messer
1920s
Bill Inglis
Hugh Davey
1930s
Percy Whittaker
1940s
Wilf Chitty
1950s
Sylvan Anderton
Bert Kersley
1960s
Arthur Wilkie
George Harris
1970s
Les Chappell
Robin Friday
1980s
Lawrie Sanchez
Kerry Dixon
1990s
Mark McGhee
Dylan Kerr
2000s
Nicky Forster
Ibrahima Sonko
Marcus Hahnemann
Ron Grant
2010s
Adam Federici
Jimmy Kebe
Fran Kirby
Adam Le Fondre