williams signs

[reeves4england]

If we can keep Sean this will be great with the competition it will provide. Maybe we will see our defence making sure they keep tight for a change.

[Reg Smeeton]

This will prob be one for Reg but is it true that Williams is the only player to have worn every squad number from 1 - 11 (when they only used to have 1-11)?

  Well squad numbers came in about 93, when we got to the Prem.

  Williams in his Reading days seemed to have worn a fair few of the defensive numbers, but can't see any of evidence of a 1 or the higher numbers.

 Suppose he may have been an emergency keeper....why do you think he holds this record?

Thats the thing, he has played in goal, pretty sure as emergency, Reading mate remembers it vividly.....

 Personally I wouldn't believe anything a Reading fan told me.....but as I've never met one in a less than sheltered life, its not something I've had to put into practice.

[Luci]

Nah but we've had this conversation before re this player before Swindon came into the equation so just trying to remember when exactly it was.

[Luci]

Think it was 93 when Hislop got sent off.....Williams took his place....in fact pretty sure it was around then as Hislop left in 95

[Reg Smeeton]

Nah but we've had this conversation before re this player before Swindon came into the equation so just trying to remember when exactly it was.

  I suppose its something  he may have done for  a laugh....in a season like 91/92 when under the early stewardship of Madejski, Reading were getting a 3500 average crowd...Williams played 40 games almost all in a 5 or 6 shirt, but oddly one in a number 11.

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

If it helps at all, I know that when non-Premiership clubs were first given the option of having squad numbers around 93/94 time, Charlton Athletic numbered their players alphabetically so that Stuart Balmer, an out field player, was given the number 1 shirt. I think he could play in several positions and therefore would have worn lots of different numbers so maybe it was him???

[Reg Smeeton]

If it helps at all, I know that when non-Premiership clubs were first given the option of having squad numbers around 93/94 time, Charlton Athletic numbered their players alphabetically so that Stuart Balmer, an out field player, was given the number 1 shirt. I think he could play in several positions and therefore would have worn lots of different numbers so maybe it was him???

   Thanks for that OST....might come up in a quiz.

   Ossie famously wore number 1 in the 82 WC.

[Luci]

Yeah cheers OST, could well be a possibility.  Still bugging me though as can't find any articles on the net re that incident

[Reg Smeeton]

Yeah cheers OST, could well be a possibility.  Still bugging me though as can't find any articles on the net re that incident

 The internet still isn't that great for the minutiae of football stuff, sometimes you've just got to trawl through books or a newspaper archive....which can be time consuming.

[Luci]

The last football book I got was the Times yearbook 2004/2005 where it stated Rhys Evans was Bristol Citys keeper.  Since then, many statements have certainly been taken with a pinch of salt.

I shall find it though, if its the last thing I do!

[Reg Smeeton]

Ifil to be dropped then? or three centre-backs?

 SOH hasn't signed yet....probably hoping someone comes in for him.

  Which would leave Williams and Ifil.

 It was MKD then....Winkelman looks like he doesn't want to hang around too long in this div, before reaping the benefits of the new ground.

[Kinky Tom]

My mate Oli's mate Gaz - a Cov fan - couldn't believe it when I told him we'd signed Williams the other day.

He felt it was silly to let him go and rated him highly.

As for Sean O', I'll keep a look out in MK and ask him what he's up to.

[BerkshiresFinest]

This will prob be one for Reg but is it true that Williams is the only player to have worn every squad number from 1 - 11 (when they only used to have 1-11)?

  Well squad numbers came in about 93, when we got to the Prem.

  Williams in his Reading days seemed to have worn a fair few of the defensive numbers, but can't see any of evidence of a 1 or the higher numbers.

 Suppose he may have been an emergency keeper....why do you think he holds this record?

Thats the thing, he has played in goal, pretty sure as emergency, Reading mate remembers it vividly.....

 Personally I wouldn't believe anything a Reading fan told me.....but as I've never met one in a less than sheltered life, its not something I've had to put into practice.

Can confirm that Williams has played in every outfield position for Reading that includes between the sticks.

Must add that in Williams you have signed an complete legend. Always loved in these parts and a quality defender even though he is getting on a bit! Didnt fancy your chances next season but now i am considering a sneaky £10 on you winning the league!