Royals' ex-director of football pens open letter to supporters and colleagues

Hammond has written an open letter to Royals fans and colleagues following his switch to Premier League West Bromwich Albion last month.

Reading's former director of football has teamed up with old pal Tony Pulis to become technical director at the Hawthorns.

He shock move after 20 years' service with the Royals stunned the majority of fans, and the speed with which it happened meant he was unable to say his goodbyes.

But the 48-year-old ex-keeper, goalkeeping coach, Academy manager and reserve team boss has broken his silence this week to reflect on a defining period in his career.

And he admits Reading may never have reached the top flight under Steve Coppell in 2006 and current boss Brian McDermott in 2012 had it not been for the tremendous backing the players received.

He wrote: “Every great club needs great supporters.

“As our fan base grew I always took great pride in their passion and dignity. When we were backed by fans whose conduct, even on the most disappointing of days, made us proud to be Royals - they were the difference between the impossible dream becoming a reality.

“Those values will always be the catalyst that will bring the club back to the Premier League.”

Hammond also pays tribute to co-chairman Sir John Madejski in his letter, describing him as a 'huge influence' on his career.

And he thanked Coppell and McDermott for their 'extraordinary and remarkable work' during their time at the managerial helm.

Hammond played a key role in signing a host of Royals legends including Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Dave Kitson, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey and Marcus Hahnemann while director of football.

But he says his greatest acquisition was luring Eamonn Dolan from Exeter City to head up the club's successful Academy which has produced a conveyor belt of talent for the first team.

Nick Hammond's open letter in full:

I would firstly like to say thank you to Reading Football Club for giving me the opportunity to serve a wonderful club for 20 years.

As a player, coach, academy director and director of football I saw so many great people work so hard together, work that culminated in a wonderful journey through the leagues to the Premier League.

Sir John Madejski was a huge influence on us all. I thank him for his support and advice that helped to shape a new ambition and taught us all so much.

He led us from being a lower division club to a club that built a wonderful new stadium and, at our best, became a united force that won or lost together with a grace that the football world admired.

With his great friends and colleagues, Nigel Howe and Ian Wood-Smith, we shared so many great days and equally tough and disappointing moments with one consistent force: togetherness. Nigel and Ian are Trojan workers for a club that means so much to them.

Also I would like to say a special thank you to Sue Hewett, Reading’s Club Secretary – undoubtedly one of the best in the football world. I always marvelled at her commitment and expertise and how her team worked so hard behind the scenes to make us stronger. Thanks Sue.

Every great club needs great supporters. As our fan base grew I always took great pride in their passion and dignity. When we were backed by fans whose conduct, even on the most disappointing of days, made us proud to be Royals - they were the difference between the impossible dream becoming a reality.

Those values will always be the catalyst that will bring the club back to the Premier League.

I have been lucky to work as director of football with so many great managers. I am so proud to work with them all. None of us will ever forget the extraordinary and remarkable work of Steve Coppell and Brian McDermott, which took us to the Premier League.

Steve is a great friend to us all and I was lucky to work so closely with a true Reading giant whose advice is always helpful to me.

Of course the club is lucky to have Brian as manager, whose work as chief scout and then manager was twice key in our promotions to the Premier League. I will always be grateful for his ability to find great undiscovered talent – no-one is better at finding players who he then makes into stars.

One massive part of my time at the club has been the growth of our Academy which, pound for pound, is up there for value with any club in the country.

Perhaps my best ever signing was Eamonn Dolan. On all of our best days, the Academy has always been at the heart of success. The work of Eamonn and so many other extraordinary committed people at youth level, is a key to the club’s future.

Eamonn is a special man. One of the days I remember with most pride was when he was our manager at Old Trafford. I know how impressed Sir Alex Ferguson was with him that day.

Players who grow up and love the club will always serve a club with a different vigour and affection than those whose agents sometimes convince them to move to a club for financial reasons, passing through rather than fighting for glory is one of the most disappointing aspects of modern football.

On our best days we remembered that. Those days will return. Our owners work very hard and will benefit from the lessons of this season and work to make us stronger. Reading have a proven manager who can bring in the right type of players and the right type of people to get Reading back to being consistent promotion contenders.

Whilst I am sad to be leaving, I am excited about my new opportunity and will always be grateful for the support I got from so many people in my 20 years at a truly unique, decent and great football club.

I will cherish the memories and will always look forward to the club’s future successes. I am truly thankful to every fan and colleague who gave me so much support.

In football, nothing lasts forever and I feel very excited about my new challenge at West Bromwich Albion Football Club. However nobody will be more pleased than me, as I watch the club rediscover that famed Royals togetherness that brought the club so much success.

Good luck and thank you so much.

Nick Hammond.