New Reading signing Billy Bodin has spoken fondly of watching his father, Paul Bodin, play for the club and admitted that it is 'always a club he wanted to play for.'
The 32-year-old sealed a deadline day loan move from League One strugglers Burton Albion until the end of the season.
Vastly experienced with almost 400 career appearances and four EFL promotions under his belt, the Wiltshire native completes the 'Didcot Triangle' with the move, having previously featured for Swindon Town and Oxford United.
Father Paul, a Wales international, is a legend at the County Ground and it was while playing for the Robins that son Billy was born.
Moving to Elm Park in 1996, Paul made 41 appearances for the club before moving on in 1998 as the club were relegated to the third tier under Tommy Burns.
"My dad did play for the club many years ago, so I remember coming to watch him, I think I was about six or seven," Bodin told the club media upon signing. "I’ve known the club to be such a big club from an early age and in my eyes, they should be nowhere near League One. I’ve had friends who have played for the club and had nothing but good words to say about it.
"I’m from Swindon so it’s only down the road, you always got to hear or see things about the club growing up. It was always a club I wanted to play for, especially in those Championship years when I was coming up against the Reading teams I played against. It was always a great place to play and I probably had some of my best games for Preston against Reading. It’s always a club I’ve kept an eye on and thankfully I’m here."
Eligible to make his debut on Saturday at Huddersfield Town, the Royals sit eighth and only trail the play-offs on goal difference.
"It’s a club that should never be in this league," Bodin added. "Being at Burton and being involved in the game last week- it’s a very talented squad that can definitely do things this season and get into those play-off spots."
