A FORMER Reading FC legend is making moves in the town’s property industry.
Mick Gooding, who played for the Royals almost 400 times between 1989 and 1997, runs his own estate agency Gooding and Co, which he established two years ago.
After spells in management, he decided to make his career change in Reading, a town he developed an affection for during his playing and managing years.
Gooding explained: “I remember playing against Reading a number of times before I moved and always found it a difficult place to play.
“Ian Porterfield had just been appointed, I played for him at Rotherham and so I thought it would be a good fit. He was a good manager and the team was in a good position. I just felt at home.”
Born in Newcastle, Gooding describes his move down south as one made ‘in stages’, enjoying spells at Rotherham, Peterborough and Wolves before joining the Royals.
Away from the pitch, he considers Reading to be one of the best places to live – something which wasn’t immediately apparent on his arrival.
“The town’s hugely changed,” Gooding said. “I remember signing just before Christmas and I was staying in a bed and breakfast that the club had booked me into. I was bored in the guest house so I popped myself in a taxi and asked the driver to take me to the busiest place in town.
He recollected feeling disappointed to find just three people at the hotel he was taken to.
Southend proved to be his last managerial post in 2000, at which point Gooding was forced to look into a prospective career change.
A job listing in the Evening Post encouraged Gooding to pick up the phone and interview for Mann and Co, Tilehurst, where he honed his knowledge of the industry. A change in senior management encouraged him to set up his own venture.
Gooding and Co aims to make the experience of buying a house one that is “smooth, stress-free and exciting”, also assisting clients in finding the most suitable solicitors and surveyors.
With the development of the Oracle and other businesses, Gooding believes that more “Reading people” are choosing to stay in the area, without travelling to other cities for work.
Although work comes first for the former midfielder, Gooding also offers his thoughts as a pundit for Reading games on BBC Radio Berkshire, and has been impressed with the Royals’ progress under manager Paul Ince.
The team have been hampered with a transfer embargo after breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability guidelines, meaning they have only been able to sign free agents and loan players.
“What’s happened with the transfer embargo and injuries, it’s the worst that I can remember. Of all the teams I played for, I’ve never seen this many,” he said.
“No disrespect to the youngsters who have come in, because they’ve done a good job, but Ince has had a tough job and I think he’s doing a good job.”
The Royals sit in 14th position in the Championship, 13 points above the relegation zone.
