This has been a strange summer and not just because of the poor weather. It started with the European Championships and England weren't there. Then there was the ongoing adjustment to the thought that our Premier League days are temporarily behind us. Suddenly in Beijing our athletes surprised everyone and achieved what was beyond our wildest dreams. It just goes to show what hard work, dedication, some wise investment and teamwork can achieve - and not least a little faith in people.

Our church young people have been at camp near Bradfield last week. They have been working hard to give time to hosting and running fun events children from the church and the communities around us each day. A big group of them came to the game against Luton Town and it was so fitting to witness the fruit of great work by Reading FC's academy. We have some terrific young players and it was thrilling to watch them performing so well alongside our newer and established players. The future looks good.

During the summer my wife and I visited Ecuador. We have some friends our church supports in Quito, the capital. Part of their work includes working in a special home and school for street children who have been rescued and now have been given some hope for the future. Whilst we were there we met up with ex-Royal, Ulises de la Cruz. Through his charity, Ulises is involved in some amazing projects that have included the building of a school and a hospital. There are now plans to build a factory. All this contributes to helping people help themselves and experience a sense of value and self-worth. We have great admiration for what Ulises is achieving through the fame and success he has enjoyed as a top professional footballer who remains a hero in his home nation.

It's so good to hear how successful sports men and women can use their fame and profile to be agents of change and to afford so much that is positive back into communities that struggle. One of our own players at Reading recently donated some kit that was then auctioned and raised a significant amount to help support some drinking water well projects in Uganda where we had sent a team of people.

Both on and off the field we can "keep the faith at Reading Football Club." There is no such thing as lasting, instant success but through patient and persevering effort and teamwork, much can be achieved. On Saturday 6th September at 8.00pm in the Princess Suite at the Madejski Stadium, we will be welcoming back to the club ex- Royal Linvoy Primus. Linvoy now plays for Portsmouth FC and will be cycling to Reading with a number of others in order to raise money for his charity, "Faith and Football." During the evening event he will be telling of his story and how he has experienced life transformation through his faith. There will be one or two other special features and it's an event open to Reading fans who can just turn up on the day.

The football club is such a significant part of our community in Reading. It's like a community within the community. It has a massive part to play in the lives of ordinary people. Many people regularly sit together at games now we are in all-seater stadiums and relationships are built and lives shared. This happens in the good times and the tough times. In my family we are facing into some challenging days ahead and only recently a lady called me and told me the sad story of her husband's death, up until which he had been a season ticket holder. I hope the role of the chaplain can help within this community, not least in helping discover and then keep the faith, whatever the future holds.