(Updated) Friday Sportsweek 29.02

[BBC Radio Berkshire]

Player to be confirmed (all first teamers flying up to Middlesbrough on Friday), but club historian David Downes will be joining us in the studio on Friday night.

I'm sure he will be happy to answer your testing questions.

[Royal Lady]

I bet we get John Oster and David Downs then - what a great pairing. I can't even think of any questions for them. Other than maybe, David - you once famously bottled the water that the players' kit was washed in. Why?

[Beelzebub]

Is David in the studio to discuss the new club record and launch an up dated version of his book "Record Breaking Royals"?

[seahawk10]

David, what are the duties of the club historian? As the club ventures further into new media do you ever think we will see historic Reading FC broadcasts available on the website? I would love to be able to watch the Simod Cup final in its entirety. Or even listen to an archived radio broadcast would be great.

[The 17 Bus]

Great news all round, so as this goes out on 29 Sep we will stay in the Prem!!!!

[BBC Radio Berkshire]

Good spot No.17. Ollie wouldn't have made mistakes like that...

[Forbury Lion]

David... Do you think it's time to release the power of the simod cup bath water, maybe as an alternative energy drink for the current squad?

Regards
Dylan Kerr's brother, Wayne

[BBC Radio Berkshire]

Irish defender Alan Bennett added to the mix...

[Mr. Mad's Mad Maid]

Irish defender Alan Bennett added to the mix...

Alan, when you're travelling to matches on the team coach, have you ever experienced problems tuning into RTE resulting in an unprovoked and frenzied attack on the portable television, as remarkably, a broadcastable anagram of your name is BELT ANTENNA.

[Binfield Royal]

Irish defender Alan Bennett added to the mix...

Alan, when you're travelling to matches on the team coach, have you ever experienced problems tuning into RTE resulting in an unprovoked and frenzied attack on the portable television, as remarkably, a broadcastable anagram of your name is BELT ANTENNA.

You sir (or possibly Madam) have fart oo much time on your hands.

[Mr. Mad's Mad Maid]

Alan,

After you've finnished your career in football, have you considered becoming a web designer and hosting a site for gay men called Alan?

If you have, that would be remarkable, as an anagram of your name is Bent-alan.net

Cheers then

[readingbedding]

Mr Downs.

Aside from all the moments that you have enjoyed and (for want of a better word) despaired whilst following Reading FC as Club Historian and as a fan, is there a date, or a period of time that you wish you were present at in RFC's past?

I have a few...

First ever competative match for RFC vs Reading School, the tour of Italy in 1913, FA Cup Semi-Final vs Cardiff City, the record attendance vs Brentford in the FA Cup run of the same year, Promotion to the 2nd Division for the first time against Brentford (again) in the 7-1 win.

I hear that you're mad as a box of frogs about Reading FC, and your Biscuits & Royals book still stands up as a very good reference for RFC up to the mid-eighties, would there be an opportunity to extend, embellish and revise that book up to the present day???

All the best.

ps Mr Sedunary must be slightly gutted about the fortunes of RFC since his excellent book 'Heaven on Earth' was published, he could have sold a lot more...

[Beelzebub]

I hear that you're mad as a box of frogs about Reading FC, and your Biscuits & Royals book still stands up as a very good reference for RFC up to the mid-eighties, would there be an opportunity to extend, embellish and revise that book up to the present day???

I've got the original book and would love an updated one!

the tour of Italy in 1913

Oh yes when RFC beat the best teams in Italy and the Italian national side and were hailed as the best team ever to visit Italy.
Shame the best players in the team were lost to the Great War.

[Compo's Hat]

Alan

Is your middle name Gordon?

If so, do you keep looking round when those family folk in the West Lower get annoyed when Reading make a mistake and shout Gordon Bennett?

Yours

J Christ

[Barry the bird boggler]

David

How did you get away with "accidentally" leading your class on a nature ramble to Elm Park to watch the Blyth Spartans replay back in the early 70s - did you pay for everyone to get in or just sneak in to catch the last few minutes?

What was it like, that last night camped out at Elm Park - how spooky was it?

Was it you who rang the Samaritans to find out a Reading score back before the days of wall to wall football in the media?

Will you ever update your book Biscuits and Royals?

Is your wife called Ida?

You realise of course that we were relegated 10 years ago and also 20 years ago and that this season is rapidly seeming to mirror the disasterous run-in we had 10 years ago, do you think we can break the cycle that seems to be developing?

[soggy biscuit]

Alan

Do other Reading players sometimes question who you are?

regards
Sog-B

[royalflush]

Downsy, You famously camped out on the pitch at Elm Park before we left, did the club think you were bonkers when this was suggested??

Have you camped out at the MadStad, if not would you wish to if you had the chance??