Royals captain Graeme Murty was named PFA Player In The Community at the recent Football League Awards, and our captain spoke to the PFA website givemefootball.com about the honour.
How did you feel to be given the community award?
I was very, very proud to get the award. I know how much work so many players do in the Community and to be recognised above them in this way was a great honour.
Have you always been involved in community work?
Yes, ever since I was an apprentice at York. I remember the current Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia hammering home to us that we should do as much as possible in the community, and I have carried on that work to this day. And loved every minute.
The players don't see it as a chore do they?
Not at all, in fact it is very rewarding, especially when you see the smiling faces and how much it means to supporters to be in the company of professional footballers. It's great to be involved and recently I attended a function designed to raise awareness about knife crime and my comments seemed to strike a chord.
In what way?
Well, I was asked what I would do if I was approached by someone brandishing a knife and I just said 'I would give them my money, my wallet, my watch and anything else they wanted because that is only stuff - your life is more important'. One of the organisers said that the audience - made up of young offenders and victims - paid more attention to me than him, which just goes to show the influence that footballers, as role models, can have.
Players don't always get the credit they deserve.
No, certainly not in the national media. They want to know about what players get up to off the pitch, but not the good stuff. More and more players, every year, are doing great work in the community and for charitable organisations and I think they should be given more credit for that.
Reading is known as a community club - you must be proud to be part of that?
Very much so, and I think it is important that the club and the players have a close relationship with the local community, and with people from all walks of life. Wives and girlfriends - members of what we call the Royal Families - also play a big part in organising fund-raising events, and they make sure their partners, us the players, attend whenever possible. You are not going to argue with the missus are you?
And I gather you and the players would be happy to take on even more work?
Definitely, and I only wish more people would approach us to attend various functions and fund-raising events. Some seem reluctant to do so, but if they contact the club, tell us what they are organising and that they would like players to make an appearance, we'll be there. I have yet to meet a player, or a club as a whole, say no. Football clubs are willing and able to get involved and send professional footballers to suitable events.
If you would like a player to attend a forthcoming event in the community, please email awest@readingfc.co.uk with full details including date.
