“I had several conversations with Alf and spoke about the clubs that were in for him. I know Brian McDermott (Reading boss) very well and the club very well. I went down and watched Reading when they were in the play-offs and watched them train."
“I work in a similar way to Brian and given how Alf had responded to the fitness side here and the nutrition and the training, I thought Reading was a nice fit for him. Obviously it's going to be difficult for him and his family moving house but if you're happy going into work and you know what to expect and it's a similar thing to what you're doing here then it makes it easier."
“I have told him that if he ever wants more advice, if things aren't going well or if things are going brilliant, just give me a bell. I've no problem with that. He's been terrific for me and we still want to look at his career and how he does because we've been a big part of it.”
Andy spoke about the events of the transfer which start started when he went to watch West Ham play Aldershot in the Carling Cup last Wednesday; “Brian was there and we had a good conversation, I know he'd watched DVDs of Alf and all his goals and he was asking me about him. Brian spoke to me on that Wednesday night and Reading progressed it on Thursday and Friday.”
“In fairness to Alf, he said if it wasn't signed then he wanted to play against Gillingham. It was a nice touch but things had progressed to the point where it wasn't going to be right.”
“The deal we feel is a good deal and if it wasn't he would still be here. It is structured that, if he does very well, then we benefit out of it as well, but as a lad Alf had a difficult time in the latter part of last season but it's the mark of the man that he responded the way he did and worked as hard as he did and everyone saw the difference in the player and that's why he deserves his move."
“He sent me a nice text thanking us for the work me and Patto and the staff have done with him. It's given him belief he can go and improve himself as a player and Reading is a club where he will be able to do that."
“I'm delighted for him and if we can replace him with someone who can not necessarily score as many goals, but help the team score as many, then everyone will be happy.”