FORMER Royals forward Jason Roberts savoured the opportunity to acknowledge the Reading FC faithful after injury put paid to the send-off he deserved eight years ago.
“It was emotional to be back at the club after so long,” he said. “Just to experience this again.”
“I didn’t get the chance to retire in the way I wanted to, but today gave me the moment to say goodbye to the fans properly.”
The Grenadian made an instant impact on his arrival at Reading in January 2012, scoring four and assisting five in his first eight starts.
Brian McDermott’s side won 15 of their remaining 19 matches that season, a record which saw the Royals clinch the title.
Roberts identified the moment Premier League status was secured as his favourite in a blue and white jersey.
“It’s not the goals and all that stuff. It’s the moment after we got promoted,” he reminisced. “Walking back into the dressing room and realising the magnitude of what we’d achieved as a group.”
The frontman was also full of praise when describing the role McDermott played in the team’s success.
“He built a dressing room full of characters and that’s why we’re here,” he said.
“Not because we were a better football team, but because we had the most heart and the most determination and I think that’s why we ended up getting what we got.”
That same team spirit from a decade ago was there for all to see at Saturday’s exhibition match.
“It was like we never left, which is a worry because I’m ten years older – I thought I would have matured in that time,” he joked.
“I played for a lot of clubs and achieved quite a few things, but for Reading to acknowledge what we’ve done and for the players and the fans to enjoy this opportunity, it’s extremely special and I think that’s why this club means so much to us.”
