Reading fan Irwin Sparks is lead singer with the Hoosiers, one of the biggest bands of the moment, and along with his band mates Martin Skarendahl and Al Sharland, he is soon to be lacing up his boots for the Soccer Six tournament at Madejski on Bank Holiday Monday May 26th.

Tickets for the event are on sale now - call 0870 999 1871 or use the online ticketing service.

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Word on the street is you're quite the handy player, what player would you compare yourself to in the current Reading squad?
Word on the street is all outta whack. I'm as good as average, on my day. Probably Bobby Convey without the skill, pace, crossing or accent.

The Soccer Six tournament is coming up, how do you rate chances?
Apart from launching our own eau du parfum it's the only reason we formed a band. We can't wait for it and have began training weeks ago, making it all the more painful when we're disqualified for repetitive hand-balls. Actually, I'd be a bit gutted if we didn't make the final. We've got some talent.

You'll be up against the likes of McFly, Faithless, the Courteeners and maybe even the current champions Babyshambles, anyone you're worried about coming up against?
There is nothing to fear except fear itself, that and the dark.

You went to college in America on a scholarship to play football, are Al and Martin as experienced as you on the pitch?
Al went with me and is by far the best player in the team. Martin and I battle it out for his scraps of glory. Can't say more than that as our team tactics should stay a closely guarded secret.

There's an international quality to the band with Martin's Swedish influence, who does he and Al support and do you expect him to bring a Freddie Ljungberg quality to the team?
Al's a massive Exeter City fan, as he's from there. Martin is Djurgarden fan, being Swedish. He's a fiery one on the pitch and they have to be to mop up after my copious blunders. He is a bit of a Ljundberg, minus quite as many goals.

What was the first game you went to at the Madejski?
My brothers and I took my dad to see us play Derby a couple of years a go. That's me marked as a pretty fairweather fan then.

Who is your all time favourite Reading player?
James Power. I went to school with him. An alright footballer but watch him work his oily charms with the ladies: what a player.

What about your favourite non-Reading player?
Fabregas.

If you could choose any current player in any league to sign for Reading who would it be?
Ronaldo.

Where do you expect your best positions to be on the day?
We've been gifted with a team of defenders so we're praying for someone who can find the net up front. We've got some left-footers so we should be well balanced, it's just we get dizzy going near the half-way line.

As captain you'll have the responsibility of motivating the troops, will you be a Roy Keane hot head or a Steve Coppell cool, calm and collected?
Love the Coppell approach, sadly I'm more of a squawker. Will probably defer a lot of responsibility to Al - the McClaren to my Ericsson: what could go wrong? This will leave me free to use all available breath on running after the ball I've shot over the Madejski.

As the local team you've got home advantage, what would you say to the
fans to get them behind you?
Go on, get behind us: we need the support the most. Al has shin-splints, I've got asthma. We're going for the sympathy angle.

Finally, if you win the tournament, how will you be celebrating?
A skinful at the 3B's, then onto The After dark. Priceless.