Simon Church
When the final whistle is blown on this season, doubtless there will be a few thoughts about what might have been.
Foremost among them is just what might have happened had Adam Rooney not got injured late on in the campaign, for if he had stayed fit, just what kind of lethal partnership might he and Simon Church have formed over those games?
Church, on loan at Aberdeen from the other Dons, the MK variety, quickly found Scottish football to his liking, and six goals in 12 games is a very healthy return from his time at Pittodrie. It’s clearly been a spell that he has enjoyed.
“The move came out of nowhere. When the opportunity came up, I was aware of where Aberdeen were in the league and that they had been up challenging the past two seasons. When I heard about their interest, I could not wait to come.
“I have really enjoyed my time here. For me, on a personal level and for my career, it has been great. Coming here and playing regularly and scoring goals, it has allowed me to get back to what I love doing. It has given me a lift. I have been waiting for that over the last couple of years. I have always had the drive and knew my career would turn around but I had not been in an environment which had allowed me to do that. Coming here has definitely helped.
“Scoring goals helps. Maybe I have not done that in the last couple of years consistently. I needed to go somewhere where I could do that, so Aberdeen has been fantastic”.
Pittodrie is a long way from home for Simon, but it’s the place that has given him the chance to deliver on the promise that was identified by Reading when he was a youngster.
“I grew up in High Wycombe but when I moved to Reading I had to move out of my family home and into digs. Growing up, I was a Manchester United fan and a Wycombe Wanderers fan! They were my local team and I used to play for from the age of eight. We used to get tickets for their matches so I used to go and watch them.
“They gave me my first chance to play the game, but at 14, I went to Reading and they are the club where I have made the biggest impact during my career. That’s the place where I learnt the most. I had a good ten years with the Royals.
“During the time I was there they produced a lot of good players who have gone on to play at a high level and many who have continued to play professionally. At my age group, there were five or six of us who came through after we had a successful FA Youth Cup side. We all played in the first team together. Jonny Hayes was a couple of years older than me, but I do remember him well! When I used to come and train with the youth team when I was a schoolboy, it was very daunting and even back then, Jonny was a big character! And he is still a character! Jonny was unfortunate not to get an opportunity at Reading.
“We saw Michael Hector come through more recently. He was coming up the ranks when I was still there and I know he came up here and did very well. After his spell at Aberdeen, he then went back down and broke into the first team and has earned himself a move to Chelsea. Coming here was a massive factor in him doing so well and kicking on.” To read the full interview by a copy of RedMatchday on Thursday.
RedMatchday magazine has once again been named the top programme is the Scottish Premiership. Every week it has 84 pages packed with Dons stories, interviews, news, opinions and historical photos. Costing £3.00, it is available in the AFC club shop and from programme sellers in and around the ground. You can also buy a copy online by clicking here
