‘I’ve loved it here’: Departing Reading FC defender reflects on season

Matty Carson, a left-back for Reading FC, has thought back on the season in which he played for both the first team and Noel Hunt’s U21 squad.

Throughout the 2023–24 season, the full-back made 17 appearances as a senior, 10 of which were in the league.

In spite of this, the club did not extend his contract, and he was free to sign elsewhere.

The clubs released Carson along with Clinton Mola and Nesta Guinness-Walker, making three full-backs available.

“I’ve had a great time here,” Carson stated.

“Toby, Scotty JOP, Hunty, Ruben, and the entire staff have been amazing, and I am so grateful for everything they have done for me.”The games at Stevenage and Cheltenham, including the debut, were outstanding.

He demonstrated his talent for Hunt’s U21 team last week when he scored an incredible free kick in the PL2 play-off semifinal match against Sunderland, which resulted in a painful 4-3 overtime loss for the Royals.

“And finally scoring at RG2, it’s been a whirlwind,” he went on.

“The way we ended it was frustrating, but I, along with the boys, can look back on it with positivity.

“The fans helped me get through some really difficult times and have been incredibly welcoming to me since I joined the team.”

I’m going to support everyone tonight (Monday) and it feels great to see them. Let’s create some noise.

“We truly wanted to win that, and they were the 12th man toward the finish.