It’s Farewell From Me, For Now

As they say, all good things must come to an end. After founding this website nearly seven years ago, I’m stepping down as the Editor of The Tilehurst End, and host of The Tilehurst End Podcasts.

I’ve been given the chance to explore a new opportunity, something I’m hopeful I’ll be able to share with you all in the not so distant future. Sadly, that opportunity means that I won’t have the time needed to perform what’s become a pretty full-time job here at TTE.

I started this website in 2011, not long out of University, living at home, single and working at a junior level in the media. While we as Reading fans had, and still have, the HobNob Anyone? message board, with the demise of ‘The Whiff’ fanzine, there wasn’t a place that was hosting long-form opinion pieces from supporters’.

For those who don’t remember it, the Tilehurst End got its name from one of the terraces at Elm Park. It was behind the goal and much like the Eamonn Dolan Stand today, provided a place for the fan who wanted to get a bit more passionate than those quietly enjoying the game from the seats, but perhaps didn’t want to get quite as rowdy as those goading the away fans from the South Bank. So just like the terrace of the same name, I wanted TTE to be a place where fans could be passionate, but balanced and fair.

From the word go I was very fortunate to find some like-minded folk who saved it from becoming ‘Wimb’s part time blog’ and helped turn it into the leading independent Reading fan site we are today. In particular, Jonny Williams has been an incredibly loyal Deputy Editor, Podcast Co-Host and occasional Prediction League Champion. Steve ‘Royal Hoops’ Curtis was also on board from day one, while others including Jon Keen helped provide the kind of long-form content that helped us stand out from other Reading websites of the past.

Following them have been many talented, passionate and dedicated writers. From those who submitted the odd match report, to podcast guests, regular columnists and more. In particular, the current editorial team that includes Will, Olly, Marc and BucksRoyal plus Jonny and Steve have all ensured that even when I’ve been busy, the website has continued to not just tick along, but get bigger and better. I could rattle off another 20+ names easily but know that whatever you’ve contributed to TTE so far, you have my sincere thanks.

Likewise, Jonny, Marc, Westy, Handbags Harris and a variety of other occasional guests have been fantastic podcasting co-hosts for TTE Podcast, with Charles Watts and Tom Crocker equally superb for our Pod Extra shows.

It’s the dedication of those folks, plus all of the kind support we get from across the fanbase that lets me step aside, confident that TTE will survive and continue to be a place for all Reading fans to share their passion for the team. New writers will always be welcome, so if you want to get involved please do drop an email to thetilehurstend@gmail.com.

I also wanted to say a very special thank you to those who heeded the calls for crowd funding on Patreon. Your financial backing has helped take the website and podcast forward and I encourage you to show that same backing in the future. Good journalism doesn’t come easy and if you enjoy what we do here, showing a little bit of financial support goes a long way. Without investment, things can only ever go so far.

I’m now in my 30’s, married, a home owner and veteran of 200+ podcasts, hundreds of articles, YouTube videos and more. It’s time to let someone else have some fun and in the coming weeks we’ll be announcing a new manager for the website, someone I hope you’ll embrace.

I’m not going straight away. I’ll be around for the next few weeks or so while we transition over, so that means a couple more podcasts at least. More importantly, this isn’t farewell forever, as I hope to one day be back, even if it’s just as a guest from time to time on the podcast!

I’ll also be re-activating/actually trying to use my old twitter account, so feel free to follow that @wimby

Once again, thank you, it’s been an awesome ride.

C’Mon URZZ!

Wimb