Simon Church

Reading

Born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Church was spotted as a youngster while playing at a youth tournament and joined hometown club Wycombe Wanderers Centre of Excellence as a nine-year-old upon recommendation from the club scout. Five years later, he joined Reading's Youth Academy at the age of 14, as part of the Nathan Tyson sale to Wycombe. He was a regular in Reading's reserve side whilst still in the academy. On 6 July 2007, he signed a one-year professional contract with Reading, but did not make a first team appearance that season due to stiff competition from the likes of Dave Kitson and Irish internationals Kevin Doyle and Shane Long.

Loan moves

Church joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for one month on 19 October 2007, which was subsequently extended to 19 January 2008 following rave reviews. He was put into the starting XI for Crewe on 20 October 2007 against Luton Town, where he wore the number 31 shirt and assisted Ryan Lowe for Crewe Alexandra's second goal. He scored his first goal for Crewe in a 2–2 draw with Cheltenham on 27 October 2007. Church joined Yeovil Town on loan for the remainder of the 2007–08 season on 29 January 2008. He followed this with a loan move to his hometown club Wycombe Wanderers at the start of the 2008–09 season. His original month at the club was cut short due to a sending off and subsequent three match ban, but he later rejoined the club for a further two months on 20 October 2008. On 17 February 2009 Church…

As of match played 5 May 2018.

Born and brought up in England, Church qualifies to play for Wales through grandparents from Newport. He made his début for the Wales U21 team as a substitute in their 4–3 win over Sweden U21 on 21 August 2007. On 10 October 2007, he scored twice as Wales U-21 lost 3–2 to England in the first leg of their European Championship qualifying match. Church scored a brace for Wales under 21s against England under 21s as they lost 3–2 on 10 October 2008, in the 2009 European Championship play-offs. He also scored Wales's second goal in the first half of the second leg of the play-off against England, neatly lifting the ball over the on rushing Joe Hart but they lost 5–4 on aggregate to England, thus missing out on a spot in the final tournament. In March 2009, he was named captain of the U-21s. On 29 May 2009 Church made his debut for the senior Wales international team in the friendly against Estonia. He received call-ups for the match against Italy U21 and a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Russia on 9 September but did not participate due to the death of his father. He scored his first senior goal on 14 November in friendly against Scotland that ended 3–0. His final goal for Wales came from the penalty spot in 1–1 draw against Northern Ireland in March 2016.

Reading

Football League Championship: 2011–12