Hall Of Fame

This page is dedicated to the those individuals who have served Reading YMCA FC with distinction and represented the values and ideals that form the foundations of this great club. The inaugral list comprises 14 names but more will be inducted in the future to take their place in the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, statistical records only exist for the 1981/82 season onwards meaning that many great and long serving players who played before 1981 will be absent from this list. But to the best of our ability this is a tribute to those who have earned a permanent place in YM folklore - Reading YMCA salutes these legends.

Wilf Wilf

Wilf Fewtrell - Click here to see more

Without Wilf there probably would not be a Reading YMCA FC today. Had served the club for over 50 years in various capacities before sadly passing away in 2004. Wilf had seen many players come and go but he remained the central figure in YM's history. Wilf is, and always will be, Mr Reading YMCA.

Brian Gilmartin

Brian served as either manager or player in the 70s, 80s and 90s before finally retiring from the club in 1996. Brian eptimised the true spirit of YM - play well, play fair and play hard afterwards. Still stays in touch with the club and is a regular feature at the annual YM Golf Day.

Barry Booker

Outstanding player who had been involved with the YM since he was a young boy. When manager, Mel Tuson resigned in the late 70s, Barry took over the managerial reigns whilst still a player and approached the role with the same dedication as he did to his playing role. Whilst a manager, Barry would always value loyalty and commitment to the club over talent and although this made for a happy dressing room it meant YM gradually slipped down the divisions. Sadly, Barry passed away in the early 80s but is still remembered by the club through the "Barry Booker Trophy" which is awarded to the winner of YM's annual golf day.

Julian Keetch

Julian's record of 219 goals in 237 apps will probably never be beaten and his contribution only fully appreciated now he has retired. Apart from his 1st season with the club in 1992/93 (when he played in midfield), Julian finished as the club's top goal scorer in every season he played. Amazingly, Julian was never booked in his 10 year YM career and was a true ambassador for the club before retiring in 2003.

Lindsey Edwards

Lindsey came to the club in 1996 with a strong coaching pedigree including a stint at Thatcham Town. He inherited a club treading water in the Reading League's 2nd Division and immediately set about dismantling the existing side. It was a transitional period for YM with key players such as Jon Huntley and Ged Golden retiring and consequently YM showed only a marginal improvement in Lindsey's 1st season in charge. But from then on it was all success as YM improved their league position year after year including 3 promotions which culminated in YM's return to the Senior Division in 2003 for the first time since 1976.

Ian Fearn

Ian was actually a rugby player but decided to switch his allegiance to football and YM. A fantastic character in the dressing room who could always boost the morale of the side. On the pitch, Ian was tremendously quick and possessed perhaps the hardest shot in YM's history. Even after he retired he stayed committed to the club and would often help the club out when they were short finishing 4th in the all-time list of appearances.

Martin Fewtrell

YM blood runs deep in the Fewtrell family and Martin Fewtrell is no different. Martin joined the club straight from school in the late 70s and introduced several of his old school friends to the side including fellow Hall of Famer, John Rumble. A hard player who had to endure the frustration of 2 broken legs but bounced back both times. Martin is recorded as having scored 63 goals in 152 appearances but it is probable that if full records existed it would show he topped the 100 goal mark. Martin is still a major figure at YM with his generous sponsorship of the side in recent years and his organising of the annual YM Golf Day.

Ged Golden

Ged joined YM in the mid 80s and was THE player of the late 80s and early 90s. At a time when YM were languishing in the lower divisions, Ged led from the front with his fiery performances and amazing goalscoring record. From the 1989/90 season to the 1992/93 season he twice finished as top scorer and twice finished as 2nd top scorer - all from centre midfield! Ged finished with a career record of 79 goals at just under a goal every 2 games including many spectacular efforts. Injuries took their toll towards the end of his career and he eventually retired in 1996.

Carl Tipper

Without doubt, Carl is one of the most technically gifted players ever to pull on the YM shirt. His control, passing and vision has meant he has been a fixture in the side since making his debut in 1991. These gifts have meant that many clubs have coverted his signature over the years but he has always stayed loyal to the club and has been rewarded by playing key roles in 3 YM promotions. As YM have climbed up the divisions in recent seasons, Carl has been one of the few players who have travelled with the club on that journey - effortlessly adapting to each step up in class. Although he stands 3rd in the All-Time Appearances list with 197 apps. he could well have hit the 300 mark by now if work committments hadn't limited his appearances.

Keith Powell

Keith was one of those players every club needs - a fantastic club man who would always put the team before himself. This meant he was often played in different positions earning the "utility man" tag but it's credit to his ability that he always performed well wherever he played. Family committments forced Keith to retire in 1992 but he proved his heart is still with the club when, with YM struggling for players, he made 5 appearances in the 2000/01 season - 8 years after retiring!

Steve Woodrow

Steve has been a massive figure at the club for over 10 years. A tremendously exciting and skilful player whose left foot has to be seen to be believed. Steve has won games for YM almost single handedly and scored many crucial goals. Playing on the left wing in the earlier part of his YM career, Steve finished as 2nd Top Scorer (behind Julian Keetch) for 5 consecutive seasons between 1994/95 to 1998/99 and was twice awarded Player of the Year. In recent seasons he has played a number of games as sweeper which has limited his goalscoring opportunities but still averages just under a goal every 2 games. Stayed loyal to the club when they were stranded in the lower divisions despite having the talent to play several levels higher than YM were operating at. Off the pitch, Steve has provided invaluable support to his managers and works tirelessly behind the scenes in his role as club captain.

John Huntley

Jon Huntley

Jon was a class act both on and off the pitch. A sophisticated midfielder, Jon provided the perfect foil for aggressive midfield colleague, Ged Golden. Excellent passer of the ball who was extremely consistent, Jon was rarely in trouble with referees and was a manager's dream to handle off the pitch. Jon stands 9th in the All-Time Appearances List with 142 apps. but has now passed the baton onto his son, Chris who hopes to follow in his footsteps.

John Rumble

"Ole Safe Hands" was a fixture in the side in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s and has made the most appearances for YM as a goalkeeer (141 apps.). John was employed as a fireman and had to miss several games due to work committments otherwise he may well have doubled his appearances. A terrific lad off the pitch, John has a strong claim to being YM's best ever keeper.

Mark Lemm

Current YM manager Mark Lemm takes his place in the YM hall of fame as a 5-time player of the year and the man responsible for transforming YM back in to a force in the last 2 years. Mark took over from Lindsey at the start of the 06/07 campaign and immediately guided his side to 4th place in the senior divison and a cup final win over Mortimer at the Madejski Stadium. Lemm was a midfiled power house in his prime, never shying away from tackles and driving the team forward contributing 96 goals over previous seasons. He is 2nd in the all time appearances list and sure to add many more yet. Lemm has sinced moved to centre half in a player manager role and the coming seasons under his guidance are sure to reap huge success. He has also instigated the formation of the 'YM Rapids' - YMCA's 2nd team which will give the club a fantastic base from which to bulid. A true legend.

Alec Norman

As a young man, Alec was a professional footballer with Wycombe Wanderers before spending several years as a semi-professional with clubs such as Windsor & Eton. When he joined Reading YMCA in 2000 he immediately rolled up his sleeves to fight for the cause and it says everything about the man that he has never displayed any pretensions or arrogance despite his illustrious past. Alec is simply one of the most talented fotballers YM have had in the last 30 years - his touch, vision and ability to keep possession are rare assets in local football and ensures that he is always one of the first names on the teamsheet. Alec performs to an extremely high standard week-in week-out and is often asked to play out of position to strengthen a particularly area. With his skill and commitment on the pitch and his amiable disposition off it, Alec really is the prototype of a YM player for the 21st century.