Clarke: I'm Pleased For The Players, Supporters And Owners

We did it!

Steve Clarke has guided our side to Wembley with a superb 3-0 win over Bradford. This will be our first FA Cup Semi Final since 1927, a fantastic achievement.

Clarke was understandably delighted, and told the post-match press conference:

"Firstly, I’m pleased for the players. It’s been a difficult season for them but they’ve got something to enjoy tonight.

"I’m pleased for the supporters, who turned up tonight as I asked, and made a big difference to the atmosphere around the place, very positive and the players responded.

"And I’m pleased for the owners. They came out tonight, hoping to see a good performance and a big win, we managed to do that for them so I am pleased for everybody."

The boys were simply fantastic last night, and dominated throughout. Two goals in the first 10 minutes from Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary meant that the Royals settled into the game quickly and calmed our nerves. Jamie Mackie started the party scoring the third goal.

Clarke added:

"From start to finish a great night was had by all, wonderful atmosphere, great support and a terrific performance by the team.

"A good start is always important, we always speak about it and tonight we got it. We scored off a set play, which is the first for a while, so it was nice to see that going in.

"For the second goal, I’ve been speaking to Garath about coming inside and trying his luck with his left foot. It just shows you what happens, you get the break with the big deflection and suddenly at 2-0 we are in great position to go on and control the game comfortably.

"We get the third in the second half and see the game out easily."

Clarke’s team outclassed Bradford and put on a show for the world to see, Clarke continued:

"That was the aim tonight, to showcase the club. Live on the BBC, I’m sure there was a big audience worldwide as well and they would see the stadium with a great atmosphere and a good team."

The players have been great recently for the club, and thoroughly deserved the plaudits they received last night.

"You could see how much it meant to the players, the effort they put in, the way they started the game, the way they controlled the game.

"The didn’t switch off for a minute- we spoke at half time and making sure Bradford didn’t get a foothold in the game, and we didn’t give them a chance to get in the game at all. From start to finish tonight was excellent."

So, we look forward to the Semi-Final at Wembley in April. What an amazing achievement for the boys, I’ll leave you with this final quote, needless to say, Clarke wants to bring the Cup back to the Madejski.

"It’s never a day out. We got to the semi-final of the FA Cup, we go to try and get a result and get to the final."