Reading FC struck gold with £100k transfer involving Carlisle United

Reading FC struck gold with £100k transfer involving Carlisle United

Reading made an interesting move back in August 2010 when they swooped for Carlisle United’s Ian Harte.

Harte had already played for Leeds United in the Premier League and Champions League, so he had a tonne of experience by that time.

He had to be a suitable successor for Ryan Bertrand, who was on loan from Chelsea for the 2009–10 season but did not extend his loan at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, after moving to Berkshire on his 33rd birthday.

With 16 goals and four assists in 45 league games for Carlisle in the 2009–10 season, Harte appeared poised to contribute more firepower.

Had social media been popular in 2010, some supporters might have expressed a somewhat unfavourable opinion, perplexed by the Royals’ decision to recruit a 33-year-old from a lower division.

However, many fans would have supported him after witnessing then-manager Brian McDermott flourish in the second part of the 2009–10 campaign, knowing that he could likely coax a tune out of the seasoned defender.

Ian Harte’s time at Reading FC

Harte ended up establishing himself as a Royals icon during his time at the club, proving to be a real asset from set-pieces and making a real difference in the final third, as he had done at Brunton Park.

In his first season at the SCL Stadium, he scored 11 goals and registered two assists, which is a remarkable record for a left-back playing in a back four.

It was his contributions that helped the Berkshire outfit to secure a place in the top six, with the Irishman helping the club to improve on their league finish from 2009/10.

Although his lack of speed was revealed for Swansea City’s second goal in the play-off final, it’s safe to conclude that he was unable to have a significant impact. However, he was able to make amends during the promotion-winning 2011–12 season.

Despite only managing four league goals in that season, the left-back’s performances were crucial to McDermott’s team’s pursuit of promotion.

He scored the opening goal at Blackpool in another crucial promotion match, then scored the Royals’ second goal to seal a 2-0 victory away at Middlesbrough. Finally, he scored a crucial penalty at West Ham to seal a 4-2 victory.

Prior to a crucial match against Southampton, his season-ending goal against Brighton & Hove Albion in April 2012 cemented the team’s place as a promotion contender.

Additionally, he assisted Mikele Leigertwood in scoring the goal that guaranteed the Royals’ return to the top division against Nottingham Forest. He deserves a great deal of the credit for the team’s success at that time, along with players like Jimmy Kebe, Jobi McAnuff, Jason Roberts, and manager McDermott. It was a fantastic night and a historic occasion.

Although Harte’s final season at the club in 2012–13 likely didn’t see as many appearances as he would have liked, he still had the opportunity to play in the top division, and he will have many positive memories of his time in Berkshire.

Ian Harte has established himself alongside others as an iconic free-kick taker

While he was in Berkshire, Harte scored several incredible free kicks.

Even though the set-piece was from a considerable distance away, the custodian had no chance, making his free-kick at Boro in 2012 especially spectacular.

Royals supporters would support Harte to take a free kick if it meant the difference between life and death. He not only scored free kicks but also nearly scored a number of them.

He hit the crossbar away against Tottenham Hotspur in the same season before Pavel Pogrebnyak nodded the ball in, and he was unfortunate not to score late against Stoke City on the first day of the 2012–13 campaign.

Two other outstanding free-kick takers the team has had in the twenty-first century are Nicky Shorey (shown above) and Lewis Wing, the latter of whom is still posing a threat for the Royals in the final third.

It was a great move to pay £100k for the seasoned defender, considering his contributions and dead-ball skills.

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