SENIOR BACKS JAAP’S BOYS TO GRADUATE

And if his side beat Huddersfield, he will be back in the Premier League, which he won three times in three years as a player under Fergie at Manchester United.

Not that Ferguson was the only manager to shape Stam, who also played for PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, AC Milan, Ajax and Holland.

Stam said: “I had four managers who improved me – Sir READING’S record goalscorer is backing the Royals season to be crowned with promotion tomorrow. Trevor Senior (left) scored 184 goals for the Berkshire side in two separate spells with the club in the 1980s and 90s when Reading’s threadbare squad often consisted of just 16 players.

“We won promotion twice when I was at the club,” said Senior. “But I’m not sure what the modern player would make of the bonuses we got. In fact, I’m not sure we got any on either occasion.

“For this club to get back into the Premier League would be a massive achievement, particularly as it was on a real downer before Jaap Stam took over.

“He has come in and done an amazing job and now there’s a really good feeling about the place.”