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The Tilehurst End Podcast: Simon Church Interview

The former Reading striker opens up on winning the league, the trials of social media and retiring early.

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Soccer - npower Football League Championship - Nottingham Forest v Reading - City Ground Photo by Andrew Matthews - PA Images via Getty Images

Simon Church was only 23 when he played his last game for Reading, and yet he seemed part of the furniture during the Brian McDermott years.

A surprise league debut in the 2009 play-off semi-final against Burnley was followed up by a strong run in the first-team under Brendan Rodgers and McDermott, yet Church was often given the less glorious roles than his colleagues.

That made his contribution to the team perhaps harder to sell, the academy graduate typically running the hard yards to tire the defenders before Adam Le Fondre popped up with the later winner.

But he still played a big role in the Championship title win of 2012 and discusses that success, the fact he never played in the Premier League, and his subsequent early retirement in the latest podcast interview from The Tilehurst End.

Sponsored by ZCZ Films, The Tilehurst End Podcast can be taken in via PodBean, Spotify, Acast, YouTube or iTunes. Furthermore, thanks to all listeners who continue to pledge to our Patreon campaign.

Listeners can always get in touch with the podcast via our Twitter and Facebook pages as well as our email, thetilehurstend@gmail.com, with thoughts on the show, opinions on the team, and potential topics to sink our teeth into always welcome.

Download the show here.