I’ve been misunderstood throughout my career, says striker Reid,
REUBEN Reid has had to deal with plenty of knockbacks during a career that has taken in a total of 15 different clubs, but few of them have been related to his ability and he claims he has frequently been “misunderstood” along the way.
The 32-year-old has scored 139 goals and recently clocked up his 500th career appearance, but there is a clear feeling of unfulfilled potential as he assesses his progress.
“The biggest snag on my career has been the way people portray me and perceive who I am,” he says.
“I’m always hearing I am moody and aggressive, I sulk, moan and drink a lot, but it could not be further from the truth and I think most of it stems from my demeanour.
“I’ve joined changing rooms where the lad sitting next to me has said ‘I can’t believe it Reubs, I thought you were going to be a proper b*****’.
“If you speak to the lads I’ve played with, they’ll tell you what I am really like.
“I am not the person people often make out I have been and I think my career stats back that up because I am fifth top scorer in the all-time list for League Two.
“I am never going to be a Jamie Vardy, running everywhere non-stop, but my best attribute now is probably knowing how rubbish I am at certain things. I don’t try to be something I am not.
“I have delivered at times, but always felt there was more to come and I know I could have been better.
“I have improved as a footballer and I am in a team now with the formula to get the best out of me.
“It’s been a good ride on the whole and I have a beautiful home and family with me.
“If I am a bad character who falls out with everyone, how good must I be to have scored all the goals I have?”
Reid grew up in a road adjoining Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium in Horfield, but it was at cricket that he excelled early on and was offered the chance to go to Millfield School on a scholarship.
There was talk of Reid making his first class debut for Gloucestershire at 15, such was his talent as a top order batsman, but a host of football clubs were queuing up to sign Reid, with Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace all keen, but after several trial periods he joined Plymouth Argyle.
That was the start of a nomadic career which took in Kidderminster, Torquay United, Wycombe, Brentford, Rochdale, Rotherham United, West Bromwich Albion, Peterborough United, Walsall, Oldham, Yeovil, Plymouth again, Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers and now Cheltenham.
But after Reid agreed a contract with Cheltenham he felt a pain in his knee during pre-season, having been scanned at Forest Green and told it was just wear and tear.
“I asked for an injection because I didn’t want to go through pre-season in pain and I was taken for a scan.
“I will never forget what Gav (Crowe) told me because it was serious stuff and I felt I’d been hoodwinked again.
“I felt like a complete mug, signing a two-year deal, meeting everyone at the club and then being told I needed an operation.
“But I was the real victim because my knee had blown up and I was told my career was effectively over, but through my work and Gav’s help, I am still here and playing on.”
Reid is full of praise for Cheltenham’s medical team, who have helped him regain his sharpness and return to goalscoring form this season and he has nine goals in 16 starts for the club.
“They are the best I’ve worked with, no doubt: Gav, James Redman and Josh.
“Josh is bright and has focused on improving what I can do, starting with my feet and thanks to him I don’t need them strapped up every day.
“Gav clearly has a lot of knowledge, aptitude and, crucially, time for you.
“He dropped me at home in Bristol after my knee op in Worcester and I’ll be forever indebted to the club because they’ve never pressured me.
“This is a big season for me because I owe them after not being available for so much of last year.”
Reid has also responded well to Duff’s coaching methods.
“The standard of training is high and there are rules to adhere to so you can’t get sloppy, even when it comes to walking around the building.
“There is real consistency and he wants things done a certain way, with no grey areas.
“He has his way of playing and sticks to it, so it’s not just random stuff.
“He’s managed to recruit good players and Russ (Milton) is always there too and I like a lot of the stuff he says.
“There is a good blend, with no divisions in the camp, but we’ve not had any bad runs really, so I suppose that’s when managers really prove themselves.
“A lot of lads are burned out by 27 or 28, but I am chasing 600 appearances now; why not?
“I’d like to reach 150 Football League goals and 500 career starts before I finish.”
For the full interview looking back over Reid’s career, go to https://www. gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport