Kingsley Royal
Encyclopedia
Kingsley, a 7 feet bipedal lion, is the official mascot
of Reading Football Club
. He was first seen during the 1997-98
season. Up until the end of the 2005-06
season he was played by Noel Selby Armstrong, who has since been appointed assistant kit manager at Reading.
The new man in the mask is Reading-born Andrew Hulbert. On March 25, 2007, Kingsley ran the Reading Half Marathon
raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK
. Kingsley was profiled in the Premier League weekly preview show on March 16, 2007.
The lion has been adopted as an unofficial symbol of Reading, due to the presence in the town of the Maiwand Lion
.
Kingsley wears a shirt with the squad number 1871, the year Reading FC was founded.
for standing too close to the pitch. It was reported that one of Riley's assistants confused Kingsley for one of the players and almost flagged him for offside. Steve Coppell
, the Reading manager, said "I can see where the referee was getting confused. He does look like so many of my players." He is to study video footage of the incident before deciding whether to take any disciplinary action.
The FA
is investigating an allegation that Kingsley made “inflammatory gestures” which is the first time a club mascot has been officially reported to the FA. A spokesman for the FA said: “The referee reported to us that he had spoken to Reading officials and he has reported to us that the mascot made a number of inflammatory gestures. I don’t know what the gestures were and we are now making further enquiries and will look at video evidence.” The spokesman added he could not say for certain what punishment Kingsley might face but it might result in the mascot being given an official warning.
Jon Keen, of Supporters’ Trust At Reading (STAR)
, said: “My initial reaction is Mike Riley needs to get a life. Kingsley was getting into the spirit of it all, sometimes it’s good not to take football too seriously“. Club spokesman Andy West
said: "We have no other comment than we’ll co-operate with the FA if they ask us to.".
After reviewing video footage, an FA spokesman said “We will be taking no further action.” Kingsley was then allowed to watch Reading take on Watford
in the final home game of the 2006-07
season.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of Reading Football Club
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. He was first seen during the 1997-98
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
season. Up until the end of the 2005-06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season he was played by Noel Selby Armstrong, who has since been appointed assistant kit manager at Reading.
The new man in the mask is Reading-born Andrew Hulbert. On March 25, 2007, Kingsley ran the Reading Half Marathon
Reading Half Marathon
The Reading Half Marathon is a half marathon road running event held on the streets of the English town of Reading. The race is normally held on a Sunday in March or early April of each year...
raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
. Kingsley was profiled in the Premier League weekly preview show on March 16, 2007.
The lion has been adopted as an unofficial symbol of Reading, due to the presence in the town of the Maiwand Lion
Maiwand Lion
The Maiwand Lion is a sculpture and war memorial in the Forbury Gardens, a public park in the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. The statue was named after the Battle of Maiwand and was erected in 1886 to commemorate the deaths of 329 men from the 66th Berkshire Regiment during...
.
Kingsley wears a shirt with the squad number 1871, the year Reading FC was founded.
The Riley incident
During the first half of the home match against Newcastle United FC on April 30, 2007 Kingsley was shown a red card by referee Mike RileyMike Riley (referee)
Riley took charge of the 2004 Carling Cup final, between Bolton and Middlesbrough, in a game that saw all three goals scored within the first 25 minutes...
for standing too close to the pitch. It was reported that one of Riley's assistants confused Kingsley for one of the players and almost flagged him for offside. Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
, the Reading manager, said "I can see where the referee was getting confused. He does look like so many of my players." He is to study video footage of the incident before deciding whether to take any disciplinary action.
The FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
is investigating an allegation that Kingsley made “inflammatory gestures” which is the first time a club mascot has been officially reported to the FA. A spokesman for the FA said: “The referee reported to us that he had spoken to Reading officials and he has reported to us that the mascot made a number of inflammatory gestures. I don’t know what the gestures were and we are now making further enquiries and will look at video evidence.” The spokesman added he could not say for certain what punishment Kingsley might face but it might result in the mascot being given an official warning.
Jon Keen, of Supporters’ Trust At Reading (STAR)
Supporters Trust At Reading
"Supporters' Trust At Reading" also known as "STAR", is the official organisation representing the interests of supporters of Reading Football Club everywhere...
, said: “My initial reaction is Mike Riley needs to get a life. Kingsley was getting into the spirit of it all, sometimes it’s good not to take football too seriously“. Club spokesman Andy West
Andy West
Andy West is an American bass guitarist and composer who is an original founding member of the Dixie Dregs along with Steve Morse. Since the breakup of the original band in 1983, Andy West has been on albums with Mike Keneally, Henry Kaiser, Paul Barrere, Vinnie Moore, and many others...
said: "We have no other comment than we’ll co-operate with the FA if they ask us to.".
After reviewing video footage, an FA spokesman said “We will be taking no further action.” Kingsley was then allowed to watch Reading take on Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in the final home game of the 2006-07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season.