“Using Reading as a talking point means a lot to me” – Reading Legend…

Dave Kitson, a revered figure in the history of Reading FC, is scheduled to be a guest on the ‘Talking Royals’ podcast hosted by Johnny Hunt, a devoted fan of the club. This podcast serves as a platform for individuals to openly discuss their mental health challenges.

Johnny, who has previously co-hosted the 1871 Reading FC podcast, established Talking Royals last year with the aim of providing assistance and solidarity to fellow fans grappling with mental health issues.

In an interview featured on the official Reading FC website, Johnny expressed his heartfelt motivation behind the initiative, stating, “It means a lot to me to be able to do something which hopefully in some way helps people, and using Reading FC as the talking point to start that. I have bipolar disorder and supporting Reading, probably like any club, has been very up and down.”

Talking Royals operates as an online peer-to-peer support group, offering a space for individuals to engage in discussions about football and other topics, while also providing an avenue for mutual support in terms of mental health.

Johnny emphasized the importance of destigmatizing mental health struggles within the context of football fandom, highlighting the potential for such initiatives to foster unity and aid one another. He expressed gratitude for the association with Reading Football Club, viewing it as an added benefit to their endeavors.

Notably, former Reading players Graeme Murty and Dylan Kerr have previously participated as guests on Talking Royals, and Dave Kitson is slated to join as a future guest.