Former Reading star 'gutted' fans 'never got to see the best of me'

Former Reading midfielder Stephen Quinn has admitted that his time at the club was ‘disappointing’ and that the vastly experienced Irishman is ‘gutted’ the supporters never got to see the best of him.

A combative midfielder with more than 250 appearances for Sheffield United in a seven-year stint, the former international arrived in Berkshire back in 2015 after impressing with Premier League Hull City, appearing in the FA Cup Final with the Tigers.

Joining alongside former Hull and Ireland teammate Paul McShane ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, there were high hopes for Steve Clarke’s Royals.

Starting the season among the promotion candidates, form dropped off and Clarke was replaced by legendary figure Brian McDermott, eventually finishing 17th and reaching an FA Cup quarter-final.

Quinn, who scored on the final day against Preston North End, managed over 30 appearances in his debut campaign, but injuries reduced the experienced campaigner to just 12 appearances over the next two seasons.

Speaking to SkyBet about his time with the club, Quinn admits there is lots he wished panned out differently.

“There were good at times at Reading but a bit disappointing because of the person and player I am, who wants to give so much to any club that signs me. It’s just my nature, it’s how I was brought up that I wanted to give more to Reading, and they probably never saw the best of me [due to injuries].

“We had a good cup run and a decent enough season. Reading is a good club – I really enjoyed my time there and there’s some great people working at the club. I’m still a little bit gutted that they never got to see the best of me, and the injuries didn’t allow me to get the best out of myself.”

Departing in 2017 after Jaap Stam’s side had reached the Championship play-off final, few would have expected the veteran to still be such a prominent player in the EFL at 38.
However, still going strong, Quinn went on to rack up over 100 appearances for Burton Albion across three seasons and since 2020 has barely missed a match for Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town, who currently ride high in League One.

Since earning promotion last season, the Stags have started well and sit fourth in the third tier- two points better off than Ruben Selles’ Royals.

Scoring for the Stags on the opening day, Quinn could make a return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium when the East Midlands outfit visit Berkshire on December 29.