Reading FC are pushing for promotion to the Premier League and did their play-off chances no harm on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 win at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
One notable point in the game was the debut of Femi Azeez, a 19-year-old midfielder, who spent a short time on loan with Bracknell Town.
The midfielder made two appearances for the Robins in February 2020, prior to the first lockdown, starting the Velocity Trophy quarter-final against Maldon & Tiptree and coming off the bench in the 7-1 win over Staines Town.
Azeez’s senior career began with Northwood but joined current Bracknell boss Bobby Wilkinson at Wealdstone in the summer of 2018. He joined the Reading FC academy in September 2019 with fellow youngsters James Holden and Augustus McGiff, the latter joining from New York City’s Development Academy.
At the time of Azeez’s signing for Bracknell, Bobby Wilkinson, speaking to Dave Wright in the Bracknell News said: “I want more cover at this stage of the season as we are picking up a few knocks, so I’m delighted to bring in a quality player.
“Femi is a special player for me because he was with me at Wealdstone and I then sent him to Reading. When he signed a two-year pro contract, I was so chuffed for him.
“He can play wide on the right or left, or even down the middle if we need him to.
“He will give players like Luke (Holness) and Seb (Bowerman) a little bit of competition, which I want them to have.”
The midfielders debut was as a 90th-minute substitute for Josh Laurent and joined a number of recent Royals academy graduates in Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre on the Madejski Stadium pitch.
Azeez isn’t the only former Bracknell loanee to go on and taste first team football at Reading, chief among them being centre-back Michael Hector who went on to make over 70 appearances for the Royals either side of joining Chelsea. He is currently part of Fulham’s first team squad but played for Bracknell as a midfielder during Dave Tuttle’s time in charge at Larges Lane.
Spotters badge: Neil Graham.
