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The opening day of a new season is always eagerly anticipated. Earlier this week, ahead of the much-awaited clash with Reading, I published one of our – articles featuring those players, I could recall, who had, as the title suggests, played for both clubs. As is the norm, I ask that the readership supply the names of those I may have missed. Shortly after publication, I noticed a comment from a Reading supporter, Paddy RFC 1871, who nominated Gary Heale. Now, for the life of me I couldn’t recall the name, but I found duty bound to investigate. It transpires that Heale was on the books of Luton Town, signed in 1976, picked up from non-league football playing for Canvey Island. Heale, just 18-years-of-age, was to have the kind of start to a career, at a new club, many can only dream about. On his debut, against Charlton Athletic, in September 1976, he scored in a 7-1 rout of the South East London club. Some two months after, the winger, in a game against Manchester City, scored twice for the club in a cup replay. But just as it looked as if the world was his oyster, the teenager fell out of favour and was promptly sold to Reading, for a fee of £40,000 which, at the time was a cub record for Reading. While with Reading, during the period 1978 to 1982, Heale went on to make 76 league appearances, scoring on 20 occasions. After leaving Reading, Heale carved out a successful career in the USA, both in the outdoor and indoor leagues, most notably at Tacoma Stars for whom he made 221 appearances and notching 141 goals. But can you remember his brief spell at Kenilworth Road, unlike me? If so, please feel free to share your memories in the comment facility beneath this article. COYH Reading v Luton Town? Reading to Win! Luton Town to Win! A Draw!