Little Reveals Royal Love

Portsmouth bound Glen Little has admitted that he leaves Reading with a heavy heart and has revealed how difficult he found it to tell former boss Steve Coppell that he was leaving the club.

Little had become a fan favourite at Reading due to his immense skill and creativity and he admits that Reading will always have a special place in his heart.

The classy winger was on the verge of signing an extended contract with the Royals and was almost certainly going to see out his career in Berkshire had it not been for a last minute phone call from Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.

Little said, 'I would have signed for Reading but the chance came to play in the Premier League again with a top club and you've got to give it a go.

'I thought I'd stay here for the rest of my career and I was looking forward to helping Reading get back into the Premier League.

'Everything was done and dusted and I was looking forward to signing [a new contract], then suddenly you get the last minute phone call saying that Harry Redknapp wants to see you.

'I had a lump in my throat telling him (Coppell), I couldn't get the words out. But he wished me all the best and we'll still stay in touch.

'We've been through so much as a club, who can forget that promotion season when we went 33 games unbeaten.

'It makes a special bond, I get on so well with everyone, it's strange and I'm sad to be leaving.`

Reading fans are devastated at losing the winger and following their relegation from the top flight, there is almost a feeling of inevitability around, as the fans wait for the next big name to leave the club.

With Nick Shorey and James Harper likely to be heading back to the Premier League, it will be a nervous few months for loyal Royals as they face an anxious wait to see who will still be at the club come August.

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