Former Reading star Garath McCleary has admitted that he is 'genuinely overwhelmed' after he received a standing ovation when substituted in yesterday's 2-1 win for Wycombe Wanderers.
McCleary, now 36, spent eight years with the Royals and featured over 250 times, famously scoring in the club's first FA Cup semi-final for 127 years.
Despite leaving in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the winger's first return to RG2.
Starting and impressing for over 70 minutes, all four corners of the SCL Stadium were upstanding as he made his way off the pitch, with loud chants for his name.
Following the Chairboys' late winner, a first victory for the Buckinghamshire outfit at the SCL Stadium, the veteran made sure to applaud Royals fans as well as the 1,600 travelling supporters.
Take the result away, what I saw today I was genuinely overwhelmed 🥲. Maybe from the covid year it was the bit of closure I needed, 8 years this place was my home. I thank you & wish you all every success for the rest of the season @ReadingFC #royals #readingfc #Urzzz
— Garath McCleary (@gmccleary12) March 9, 2024
👑💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/5jGk1kHcJB
Taking to social media after the action, McCleary commented: "Take the result away, what I saw today I was genuinely overwhelmed . Maybe from the Covid year it was the bit of closure I needed. Eight years this place was my home. I thank you & wish you all every success for the rest of the season."
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