Napster
No ⭐
Kitson sees red over ginger jibes
Reading striker Dave Kitson has hit out at the club and supporters for organising a "ginger day" tribute for Saturday's final home game of the season against West Brom.
Fans are planning to wear ginger wigs and orange t-shirts as a tribute to flame-haired Kitson and his ginger-haired team-mate Steve Sidwell.
Reading have been encouraging supporters to participate in the occasion and even announced that a local shop will sell ginger wigs at a discount.
But Kitson has accused the club of being "discourteous" by failing to ask his permission.
"I have spent all of my time going to places like Ninian Park and the New Den just getting harassed about the colour of my hair to the point where you want to fight back.
"So the last thing I need is 15,000 people, all in ginger wigs, drawing attention to it," he said.
"What would happen if it was two black players? Would the club ask the fans to do the same thing? It does cause offence to me and I would like to thank the club for not even asking me if I minded.
"I feel they should have had the courtesy of asking me.
"I know the fans mean well and it's all in fun. I hope they enjoy themselves but from my point of view it's something I can do without," Kitson told Reading's Evening Post.
Reading striker Dave Kitson has hit out at the club and supporters for organising a "ginger day" tribute for Saturday's final home game of the season against West Brom.
Fans are planning to wear ginger wigs and orange t-shirts as a tribute to flame-haired Kitson and his ginger-haired team-mate Steve Sidwell.
Reading have been encouraging supporters to participate in the occasion and even announced that a local shop will sell ginger wigs at a discount.
But Kitson has accused the club of being "discourteous" by failing to ask his permission.
"I have spent all of my time going to places like Ninian Park and the New Den just getting harassed about the colour of my hair to the point where you want to fight back.
"So the last thing I need is 15,000 people, all in ginger wigs, drawing attention to it," he said.
"What would happen if it was two black players? Would the club ask the fans to do the same thing? It does cause offence to me and I would like to thank the club for not even asking me if I minded.
"I feel they should have had the courtesy of asking me.
"I know the fans mean well and it's all in fun. I hope they enjoy themselves but from my point of view it's something I can do without," Kitson told Reading's Evening Post.
