Shane Long was a complete unknown when he arrived at Reading in June 2005, writes Royals supporter Jon Keen. In fact, many wondered if his only role was to keep Kevin Doyle company, as they were both signed together from Cork City. This was for a combined fee of around £80,000, on the recommendation of Cork’s manager, Pat Dolan, to his brother Eamonn, who was Reading’s academy manager. But whilst we knew something of Doyle and his potential, nothing was known about 18 year-old Shane.

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