Reading FC legend Dave Kitson reminisced on his time at the club as part of the 106 winning Championship side.
Speaking on podcast, The Price of Football, Kitson explained how Sir John Madejski was able to create a club that was able to thrive and win promotion to the Premier League with a record breaking points total in the 2005/06 season.
“One of the most fortunate things to happen to me was playing for Reading,” said Kitson
“We had that concept of value under Sir John (Madejski) way before anyone else cottoned on.
“That’s because Sir John didn’t want to spend a lot of money, which is great, but there’s not wanting to spend a lot of money and then having a plan.
“There was a plan. The plan was round pegs in round holes with everyone knowing what they’re doing and nobody treading on each other’s toes.
“A great academy and we are going to buy up undervalued players from League One and Two, and perhaps even the conference, and let them grow together.”
Kitson spoke about his former teammates and the mindset of the first-team squad who were able to not only win promotion to the top flight, but finished in 8th position in their first ever Premier League season under Steve Coppell.
He continued: “I was desperate to show everyone I was a good player, that was my mentality. Everyone had that mentality. Nicky Shorey, 75k from Leyton Orient and went on to play for England.
“Glen Little was a free transfer, the best winger I’ve ever seen in my life. Kevin Doyle 75k, Shane Long 10k. Ivar Ingarmarsson was free.
“All of these players had the mentality, we put something together and let it grow.
“I learned a really valuable lesson from that, you don’t have to spend fortunes and I’d go as far to say that the landscape is littered to show that you don’t have to spend fortunes.”
