Greg Halford, the one-time record signing for Reading, recently disclosed that he had no intention of leaving the club just six months after joining. The former defender made a move to Premier League Reading in January 2007 for a reported £2.5 million, setting a club record at that time. Despite the significant transfer fee, Halford struggled to secure a regular spot in Steve Coppell’s team, making only three appearances before transferring to Sunderland in June 2007.
In a conversation with the Under the Cosh podcast, Halford, now an EFL journeyman, expressed his initial patience and determination to learn during the first six months, even if he didn’t immediately break into the team. He signed a four-year deal and was willing to be patient, understanding that he had a substantial tenure ahead.
His breakthrough moment came during the first home game against Portsmouth, where he entered as a left midfielder in the final 15-20 minutes to contribute with his throw-ins. Despite his desire to play and reluctance to leave, Halford received a surprising call while on holiday in the Maldives from the Director of Football, Nick Hammond, indicating an offer from Sunderland. This caught him off guard, given his status as the record signing. Upon returning from vacation, he expressed his commitment to Reading, but the situation took a turn when he was informed he would be the third-choice right-back.
Faced with the prospect of being third choice, Halford swiftly made the decision to move to Newcastle after Sunderland offered £3.5 million, an increase from Reading’s initial fee of £2.5 million. Reflecting on the outcome, he characterized it as a great business deal for Reading.
Subsequently, Halford enjoyed a prolific career, playing nearly 600 professional games for clubs such as Wolves, Nottingham Forest, and Rotherham United. Currently, at the age of 38, he plays for non-league side Hashtag United.
Leave a Reply