The Tilehurst End Advent Calendar: December 5

Martin Keown

• Position: Central Defender
• Nationality: English
• Total Reading FC appearances: 5
• Total Reading FC goals: 0

Memorable Moment

Not so many England internationals have graced the books of Reading FC over the years so it was something of a thrill to have Martin Keown and Les Ferdinand rock up in January 2005. The club was in its pre-Premier League phase of joy and optimism and this deal could have been the making of that season’s team.

However, neither the No. 5 nor Ferdinand made any great impression on the Championship, stuttering to miss out on the play-offs with Keown’s son Niall going on to also pull on the Reading shirt around a decade later. Another plus point can probably be taken in that manager Steve Coppell discovered that hunger and youth were far more important assets than experience for that side, making the appropriate signings the following summer to finish crafting the 106 team.