Former Reading FC midfielder and club captain Jem Karacan was delighted to return to help celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary.
Karacan, who came up through Reading’s academy, went on to make 155 league appearances for the first-team.
The 33-year-old rolled back the years on Saturday and showed his class by scoring a sublime chip against Marcus Hahnemann in a game that was filled with goals, with Brian McDermott’s side coming away with an 8-5 win over Steve Coppell’s team.
“It was amazing to be back out there, I loved every moment of it,” said Karacan.
“It was wicked to get the kids on the pitch on at the end of the game and get some pictures with them where it all started for me.
“We all grew up together a little bunch of us so there’s nothing better than being back with everyone.
“I remember when some of the guys were here before knocking about with their little ones who are now about twenty odd, so it’s incredible.
“I’ve loved every minute of it and it’s been so amazing to see everyone again.”
The Turkish international played a starring role in the centre of the park for McDermott’s promotion winning team, turning out 37 times in the Championship, scoring three goals on the way to winning the title.
He made 21 appearances in the Premier League the following season, scoring in a 4-2 away win at Fulham.
Karacan went on to become club captain in the 2014/15 season after Nigel Adkins was appointed as manager and left the club after the expiration of his contract at the end of that campaign, securing a dream move to his boyhood club Galatasaray.
Reflecting on the game, Karacan continued: “I feel alright to be fair, considering. I was a bit gutted with Bri (McDermott), that he brought me off at half-time but Blakey took me out at one point, so I’m feeling that, it was a bit sore.
“I’m so glad to have scored, I hope someone has got that on camera, have we got that on camera? I really hope so. I loved it.
“I had to give it a bit in the celebration. You don’t know if it’s ever going to happen again so you’ve got to enjoy it.”
