My First Football Shirt: Dan Wimbush

We caught up with Dan Wimbush from the Tilehurst End blog to talk about vintage Reading football shirts, Auto Trader shirt sponsors and Mikele Leigertwood sending Reading the Premier League.

What was your first football shirt?  

Reading fc in 1994-5. Dariusz Wdowczyk in the middle of the second row. What a great side it was. pic.twitter.com/WXtiHckd8k

— Christopher Lash (@rightbankwarsaw) November 23, 2014

It was Reading’s 1994/95 shirt, with the classic blue and white hoops sponsored by Auto Trader. It was a birthday present and I wore it for the first time as we beat Charlton on the last day of the season to seal our then highest ever league finish of second in the old(ish) Division One. 

 

What is your favourite football shirt?

🇮🇪 #OnThisDay in 2005 we signed two forwards by the name of Kevin Doyle and Shane Long from Cork City.

It went pretty well from there! 😏

💯 Royals goals between them. pic.twitter.com/fl753bgeyV

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) June 7, 2021

I’d be tempted to say the same as the above as it holds such sentimental value that I’ve still kept hold of it 20 years later! If I was forced to choose another I’d probably go with our 2005/06 home shirt as it also holds plenty of fond memories as we romped to the Championship title with a record 106 points in it!

 

What is your favourite goal?  

I’ll plump for Mikele Leigertwood’s winner against Nottingham Forest in April 2012 that secured a place back in the Premier League. To get promoted on your home ground is always special and it’s a night that’s impossible to forget. The goal itself was far from brilliant but that summed up our team, hardworking, occasionally scrappy but it got the job done!

All the best in retirement to Mikele Leigertwood - here's his goal that sent us to the Prem: https://t.co/e5hNUqqBRj pic.twitter.com/6Ar8nak78Q

— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) October 7, 2015

 

If you want to read more about the football memories of players, writers, and more you can buy the fullYour First Football Shirt book. Discover Alan Shearer's first ever football shirt, Carl Anka's most cherished shirt and more. All proceeds go to the charities CALM and Willow.