Reading's Hard Men

Esteban
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Reading's Hard Men

by Esteban » 20 Jan 2014 13:09

I was just listening to Roy McDonough on the radio, who is probably best known for receiving the most red cards in English football (22, I think). He was recalling stories of the fouls he dished out to other players - by the sounds of it, he was a nasty player. A product of the era he played in, I guess. I'm in my mid-thirties (first season I can remember is the tail end of 84/85), so I don't know if McDonough ever played against us, but it set me thinking about Reading's truly hard men.

So, in this era of players going down under the weakest challenge and rolling around as if they've been shot, who is the 'hardest' Reading player you can think of? And to clarify, my interpretation of hard is not necessarily the player who picked up the most bookings or red cards, but the ones who would put their bodies on the line and carry on regardless of the blows they took.

I'll nominate Phil Parkinson and Floyd Streete.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by BraisingsteakRoyal » 20 Jan 2014 13:10

In for a Terry Hurlock.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by thirtyyarder » 20 Jan 2014 13:13

Ricky's gonna get yer
Ricky's gonna get yer.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Avon Royal » 20 Jan 2014 13:14

Sammy Igoe.

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Stuka
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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Stuka » 20 Jan 2014 13:15

Jimmy Kebe of course.


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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Platypuss » 20 Jan 2014 13:16

Billy Whitehurst

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Wycombe Royal » 20 Jan 2014 13:16

Danny Bailey.....


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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Big Foot » 20 Jan 2014 13:21

John Salako

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Irvinchangeyaname
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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Irvinchangeyaname » 20 Jan 2014 13:22

I'l throw in a Mick Tait.



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Agent Balti
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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Agent Balti » 20 Jan 2014 13:23

Parky, obviously is a shoo-in here.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by AirRaidSiren » 20 Jan 2014 13:25

Leroy Lita, cuz he woz a propa gangsta innit blud?

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by From Despair To Where? » 20 Jan 2014 13:25

Hurlock or Whitehurst. Hurlock was a tank on the pitch, Whitehurst was just an all round headcase.

Roy McDonough was just an utter pcunt

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Esteban » 20 Jan 2014 13:40

From Despair To Where? Hurlock or Whitehurst. Hurlock was a tank on the pitch, Whitehurst was just an all round headcase.

Roy McDonough was just an utter pcunt


His interview could have been Warnock talking. They're of the same mindset, I think. He told a story about a red card he got for knocking out our very own Keith McPherson when he was at Northampton, which he said he felt bad about. It was a deliberate elbow/forearm to the head and he did it because McPherson kept winning headers against him!


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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by loyalroyal4life » 20 Jan 2014 13:47

Keith Scott

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by ayjaydee » 20 Jan 2014 14:13

Stuart Morgan was a bit of a nasty bastard back in the day. Percy Freeman, bricklayer turned footballer, was a real no nonsense centre forward and I would put "God" Friday right up there with the hard men.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Hoop Blah » 20 Jan 2014 14:14

Mick Gooding deserves a mention. Not dirty, but would still 'run through walls' for his team.

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Winchester Royal » 20 Jan 2014 14:21

Andre Bikey?

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by BraisingsteakRoyal » 20 Jan 2014 14:23

Darius Henderson

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by JamieY26 » 20 Jan 2014 14:26

Stephen Hunt?!....he's got a hard knee at least!!

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Re: Reading's Hard Men

by Bandini » 20 Jan 2014 14:29

In order during the time I've been watching Reading:

1. Whitehurst
2. Hurlock
3. T8

Parky and Gooding get honourable mentions, but they were very much in the second-tier of hard men.

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