No Squad Numbers For Fosu, Stacey and Kuhl

26 July 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have revealed their squad numbers for the new 2016/2017 Championship season. The numbers revealed a few possible surprises with Jonathan Bond claiming the number 1 jersey and Jaakkola taking number 31. A number of squad players, who have been involved pre-season, are missing from the list giving a heavy hint they may not expect to be involved at the Madejski Stadium this season. The missing list includes Fosu, Stacey and Kuhl. New signing Joey Van Den Berg will wear shirt number 4 this season, while John Swift will be number 8. Joseph Mendes will be the club number 9 with Gravenberch number 28. Zak Jules finds himself in the official squad list and will be given 22 for the new season.

Reading have revealed their squad numbers for the new 2016/2017 Championship season. The numbers revealed a few possible surprises with Jonathan Bond claiming the number 1 jersey and Jaakkola taking number 31. A number of squad players, who have been involved pre-season, are missing from the list giving a heavy hint they may not expect to be involved at the Madejski Stadium this season. The missing list includes Fosu, Stacey and Kuhl.
New signing Joey Van Den Berg will wear shirt number 4 this season, while John Swift will be number 8. Joseph Mendes will be the club number 9 with Gravenberch number 28. Zak Jules finds himself in the official squad list and will be given 22 for the new season.
<ul>
<li>1 Jonathan Bond</li>
<li>2 Chris Gunter</li>
<li>3 Jake Cooper</li>
<li>4 Joey Van Den Berg</li>
<li>5 Paul McShane </li>
<li>6 George Evans </li>
<li>7 Roy Beerens </li>
<li>8 John Swift</li>
<li>9 Joseph Mendes</li>
<li>10 Deniss Rakels</li>
<li>11 Jordan Obita </li>
<li>12 Garath McCleary</li>
<li>13 Reading Fans</li>
<li>14 Dominic Samuel</li>
<li>16 Oliver Norwood</li>
<li>18 Yann Kermorgant</li>
<li>21 Stephen Quinn</li>
<li>22 Zak Jules</li>
<li>23 Danny Williams</li>
<li>26 Ali Al Habsi</li>
<li>28 Danzell Gravenberch</li>
<li>29 Josh Barrett</li>
<li>30 Tennai Watson</li>
<li>31 Anssi Jaakkola</li>
<li>38 Liam Kelly</li>
</ul>

Discussion On This Story:

  One8Seven1*

» 26 Jul 2016 10:24

No Fosu or Stacey... Not sure what's going on with Fosu. He doesn't seem to fit in for some reason, yet is one of our best prospects coming through at the moment.

  Hendo

» 26 Jul 2016 10:39

It could be that they aren't considered first 11/immediate playing squad players and their numbers haven't changed from last year.

  MoorgateRoyal

» 26 Jul 2016 10:39

That's a good spot. No Kuhl either.
I guess the u-21s will get given squad numbers as well but aren't considered part of the senior squad.
Keown's had a squad number for a couple of years and I imagine they will be part of the full list when it's submitted to the EFL.
Edit: Hendo beating me to it. Just like in our youth.

  Sutekh

» 26 Jul 2016 13:10

As there are no squad numbers for Keown, Fosu, Stacey or Tanner then I presume that means season long loan deals for them are planned (or imminent) for them.
It'll be subject to further change anyway as more signing appear and others leave.

  SCIAG

» 26 Jul 2016 13:54

Cooper getting #3 is a bit weird, as is continuing with a midfielder wearing #6. I'd rather we stuck to more traditional numbers. Eh.
The youth squad numbers from this time last year:
18 Aaron Tshibola (gone)

24 Pierce Sweeney (gone)

25 Jake Taylor (gone)

28 Aaron Kuhl

30 Dominic Samuel (now #14)

32 Sean Long

33 Shane Griffin

34 Niall Keown

35 Jake Cooper (now #3)

36 Andrija Novakovich

37 Jack Stacey

39 Tariqe Fosu

40 Stuart Moore

45 Dominic Hyam
Obviously we shouldn't read too much into this but I find it a bit worrying that these players are just being ignored, particularly Tanner who hasn't had a number since Adkins left. Looks like Kelly, Barrett, Watson and Jules are being favoured ahead of them. Keown and the wingers are particularly worrying because they should be close to first team football. Why are we renewing the contracts of 21 year olds if we're not going to give them squad numbers?

  royalp-we

» 26 Jul 2016 14:00



Most probably a little rushed because the new kit is out tomorrow and fans are less likely to have the U21 names on the back. I'm sure the likes of Fosu, Stacey, Kuhl & Tanner get numbers over the coming weeks.

  muirinho

» 26 Jul 2016 15:27



Yep, was thinking they may be holding off until they are sure their inwards business is done, so they have more numbers to offer new players.
Tad surprised that Zak Jules got one in the first cohort, and Fosu did not though.
I also note that Bondy has kept the No. 1 jersey....

  Nameless

» 26 Jul 2016 18:51

Presumably they want the squad to have some balance. So Jules getting a number does not put him ahead of Stacey because one is a defender and the other is a winger and they are not competing for the same places

  Ian Royal

» 26 Jul 2016 19:14


But it might put him ahead of Keown, Dickie and Hyam, which would seem strange.

  Thai Lady Royals

» 26 Jul 2016 19:38

Exiting season head

  CountryRoyal

» 26 Jul 2016 20:31

I don't really care what numbers people do or don't have.

  Lower West

» 26 Jul 2016 21:49

Isn't this the requirement to name a 25 man playing squad ahead of the first fixture.
U21 players can be added to the squad at any time during the season.

  Nameless

» 27 Jul 2016 07:06


But it might put him ahead of Keown, Dickie and Hyam, which would seem strange.

But the direct comparison made was between Jules and Fosu.....
I would agree that making Dickie captain against Swindon but not giving him a squad number seems odd but as other have said I think we're jumping the gun a bit and reading more into this than there is.

  mambo3

» 27 Jul 2016 11:24

I'm guessing if you have not got a squad number then best if you get a loan out. Risky to wait for something else to work in the players favour. Tanner, Stacy, Kuhl + Griffen as senor players in the U21 should take this course especially Tanner having only 1 year left on his contract. If they truly want to make it has footballers they will have to cut the mustard at League 1/2

  Lower West

» 27 Jul 2016 17:51



Would do no harm for him to have a year at league one level.

  Westwood52

» 29 Jul 2016 12:27

OK I have only seen Fosu play once-nevertheless bit like Rashford he does give it a go, with a lot of pace-be disappointed to see him loaned out again.

  Bob1871

» 30 Jul 2016 10:01

I don't think that you'll see as many young players get loaned out, especially pre-Christmas. With the EFL trophy and the European U23 Cup that they are playing in I think the likes of Fosu will be given an opportunity to show in these games
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