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Just as we did in 2009, tonight Reading have announced that the captain will see out the remainder of his contract and leave the club, following failure to gain promotion to the Premier League.
Jobi Mcanuff had made 35 league appearances this season, and was brought in by Brendan Rodgers for an undisclosed fee. He was made captain in 2011 under Brian Mcdermott and was mainly utilised down the left-wing for The Royals. Often maligned for a lack of goals, scoring just 2 in the past 2 seasons, but massively accredited for his off-the-pitch work, and work-rate on it, Jobi capped his time with Reading by lifting the Championship trophy in 2012.
That crowing achievment will define the time of Kaspars Gorkss and Mikele Leigertwood, also being released following a difficult season for both. Latvian captain Gorkss made the unenviable achievement of being relegated twice in one season in 2013, while on loan at Wolves then back at Reading. Nigel Adkins offered him a route into the first team back in the 2nd tier, with 25 appearances and 3 goals to his name. Leigertwood had been injured for over a year, managing 4 appearances in Reading's run-in in the last month.
Both players will be remembered for crucial goals in the 2012 promotion season, Gorkss bringing Reading back into the game at West Ham, and Leigertwood scoring the late winner at home to Nottingham Forest to spark a pitch invasion, and confirm our place in the Premiership.
Also leaving is 3rd choice keeper Stuart Taylor, who has had a mixed time at Reading. A brief flurry of appearances last season justified his place in the squad, but having been retained for this year's promotion push he failed to make an appearance and a loan deal to Yeovil collapsed.
Wayne Bridge looks to be retiring following a tough maiden season at The Madejski, his contract will not be renewed after 12 appearances from the ex-England international.
Two more first-team players are out of contract, the academy products Michael Hector and Jake Taylor. It is clear the club is keen to keep hold of these young assets, and maintain talks are ongoing over a new deal.
Finally, there is no doubt some of these players have overall made an incredibly positive impact at the club, and we here at The Tilehurst End wish them all the best in their future footballing careers and thank them for the contribution to the cause.