CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Reading failed to get a mention in the 2019 Shoot Annual – but it's a different story for Reading Women FC.

Their England international, Fara Williams, is featured over four pages, while Reading-born Fran Kirby, who played for Royals before joining Chelsea, commands similar coverage.

The interview with Fara is particularly interesting with Shoot describing the 34-year-old as a "remarkable woman and footballer" who overcame living in numerous hostels as a teenager to become the ultimate role model in the game. Her story and advice to aspiring young players are well worth a read.

FORMER Reading keeper Jamie Ashdown is looking to produce a first-class service on and off the football pitch this year.

He is on the coaching staff of Ascot United and also runs a goalkeepers academy which he plans to expand when the Hellenic League club open their new 3G pitch in the summer.

In addition, 38-year-old Ashdown runs a coffee bar in Camberley and, due to its success, he is looking to move to larger premises.

Jamie played for his home-town club from 1998 to 2004, but admitted he hasn't stayed in contact with Reading.

He told me: "I am not one for looking backwards, but I might go back one day and have a look.

"There have been a lot of changes there, but one or two of the backroom staff may still be there and I am sure many fans are also around. I always got on well with them."

READING Sunday League rivals Eldon Celtic and Emmer Green are due to meet in the quarter-finals of the Berks & Bucks Sunday Intermediate Cup this weekend.

If played, the tie at South Reading Leisure Centre comes two months after their league game was abandoned by the referee due to an incident on the pitch.

Since then, there has been an issue involving the club and Berks & Bucks FA – understood due to monies owed – and Eldon were removed from the Tilehurst Charity Cup last week with scheduled opponents, AFC Burghfield, being awarded a free passage into the quarter-finals.