One-time Reading record signing, Greg Halford, has revealed that he had ‘no intention’ of leaving the club after just six months.
After making an impression as a young player for Colchester United, the former defender went to Premier League Reading in January 2007 for an alleged £2.5 million, a club record at the time.
After setting the Football League points record the previous season, Halford struggled to establish himself in Steve Coppell’s squad and played just three games for the team before leaving for Sunderland in June 2007.
The EFL journeyman added, “I knew I had to be patient and even if I didn’t play for the first six months, being the record-signing, I didn’t really mind,” in an interview with the Under the Cosh podcast. I thought I would be there for a considerable amount of time when I signed a four-year contract. It was all a matter of blending in. I had never switched clubs before, and this one was new. Let me attempt to get as much knowledge as I can throughout the first half of the year. I wanted to play, so it was annoying. It was difficult, but I also understood that I had to exercise patience and that, in the end, I would be given the opportunity to seize it.
“I started as a left midfielder against Portsmouth in my first home game. He asked me to go on and try to get the ball in the box with my throw-ins because we were losing the game. I played for maybe fifteen to twenty minutes in that, my first game.
“I was reluctant to go. Nick Hammond, the director of football, gave me a call when I was on vacation in the Maldives. He said, “We’re thinking about the offer we received from Sunderland. What are your thoughts?” I was a little taken back because, as the record signing, I had no intention of moving anytime soon.
“After my vacation, I returned to the training facility to work out on my own. One day, Coppell and James Haper were there, and he drew me in and asked, ‘What do you want to do?’ “I have unfinished business here,” I said. I’m your record signing; I’m not interested in leaving. “All right,” he said. Completed. We’ll continue doing it.
“After calling my agent a week later, Nick Hammond said, ‘We’re going to accept this; you’re going to be third choice right-back.'” I boarded the following aircraft to Newcastle as soon as he informed me that I would be the third choice. I played three games; Reading paid £2.5 million and Sunderland offered £3.5 million. This business transaction is fantastic.”
The 38-year-old currently plays for non-league Hashtag United after going on to play almost 600 professional games for teams including Wolves, Nottingham Forest, and Rotherham United.
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