A deeply disappointed Matt Mills has apologised for his behaviour toward the end of Tuesday evening's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
This morning he wanted to apologise after what he called 'the worst experience of my career so far.'
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He said, "There are no excuses for what I did and I'm sorry for my reaction. I was out of order.
"I didn't sleep last night, nothing like that has happened to me before, and I was wrong. I've been around the game long enough to know that shouldn't happen.
"The manager has spoken to me and told me it was unacceptable - which I agree with and I knew that straight away after the final whistle. He was brilliant with me after the game - he said all the right things, and this morning he's really clamped down on it. It won't happen again.
"I feel like I've let a lot of people down - Brian especially. He was the person who put me in the team and gave me a run of games. He was the one who gave me the captain's armband, which was a massive goal of mine when I joined Reading. Now, the only way I can repay him is to keep performing for him."
Mills wanted to directly apologise to the supporters and also thank them for all the encouragement they have given him and his teammates so far this season.
The 23-year-old said, "99.999% of the fans were great last night, but there was one moment in the game when the frustration that was building amongst the fans and in myself came together. I've been a fan, watching games like that - when it's 0-0 and a team is down to ten men - and everybody really wants that goal. I was no different last night.
"And if we want to get to where we want to get, I know we need our fans. They have been great with me since I arrived here and it makes such a huge difference when they are on our side. The boys have put a number of good performances in back to back and, although I don't know the figures, it feels like the attendances have grown because the atmosphere certainly has.
"Like any player, I like to be liked. I play with my heart on my sleeve and I always guarantee 110%. I'll always put my body on the line to get the three points - because no-one wants to win more than me. But I know now that I have to prove myself all over again with the fans. Hopefully, I'll be able to win them back.
"It was no disrespect to those who were singing my name when I went straight in after the final whistle. It was just a time when I wanted be by myself.
"The badge on your shirt and the team you play for is what matters. It's a massive honour to represent Reading and to react how I did doesn't put myself nor the club in a good light.
"So I just want to apologise to the fans, the club and everybody here."
Manager Brian McDermott said, "Everybody at the club understands who pays our wages and gives us the support we so value.
"Matt is deeply disappointed but at the same time, I'm sure the fans appreciate that he is a young guy. What he did was unacceptable but it happened in the heat of the moment and was borne out of the frustration of trying to get that winning goal.
"I am sure the fans won't lose track of the fact that Matt has played a massive role in our recent great run.
"Here at Reading we pride ourselves on our professional manner, both on and off the pitch. We have taken discplinary measures and Matt is fully accepting of mine and the club's position. Now we move forward."
The club recognise that the supporters' contribution this season has been immense, and together you have helped Brian McDermott and his side produce a fantastic run of results in recent weeks. We celebrated our eighth win from nine league games on Tuesday night, so we believe every one of the players who represent this club deserve your continued support at all times.
