Magic Hat celebrates the stunning revolution in playing style at Reading Football Club in the early 1990s. Relive every joyful moment of the club’s extraordinary rise. In late 1990, Reading were in the doldrums. Languishing in the third tier and drowning in debt, the club put their entire squad on the transfer list. But over the next four and a half years, something magical happened. Local businessman John Madejski stepped in to rescue the Royals, hiring Mark McGhee, who took on his first coaching role on the back of a trophy-laden playing career. McGhee set about building a slick passing side on a miniscule budget. Three local lads rose to prominence; a veteran striker had his most prolific season; exotic foreign imports arrived; and journeymen, veterans and kids came together. World-famous Wrexham manager, Phil Parkinson, thundered around the Royals’ midfield. Magic Hat brings you the inside track on that sensational turnaround through interviews with John Madejski, Mark McGhee and most of the Reading squad. It is a deep and affectionate look back at one of the Royals’ most glorious periods.

Alan Clements was born just over half a mile from Elm Park, and was a Reading season-ticket holder between 1993 and 2010. He has a passion for sporting statistics and records, and his hometown club. He is still a fan and continues to follow Reading avidly, albeit from afar. He lives on the Isle of Wight with his wife Anne-Marie and his two daughters, Jeanie and Philomena. This is his first book.