Reading midfielder Andy Rinomhota's personal milestone is a source of pride for former club AFC Portchester

Andy Rinomhota in action for AFC Portchester against Bemerton Heath in September 2014. Picture: Paul Jacobs

Chairman Paul Kelly was one of a number of those connected with the club who were delighted to learn that ex-Royals youth player Andy Rinomhota reached 100 competitive appearances for Reading recently.

It's quite an achievement for the 23-year-old midfielder considering he started out in the age groups at Portchester, progressing to the reserves before being handed his senior debut by Graham Rix aged 17.

It was the former Pompey and Chelsea manager who used his contacts in the game to set up Rinomhota's Reading trial.

Andy Rinomhota, left, in action for Reading - he is tackled by ex-Pompey defender Martin Cranie, now at Luton Town. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.

Kelly revealed the midfielder will not forget where he came from - no matter how far he goes in the game.

‘It’s a fantastic achievement,' he said.

‘He was a great lad who we always knew would do well when he left the club.

‘We all knew that there was this young lad called Andy Rinomhota that was showing a lot of promise.

‘He’s a fantastic player.

‘He was one of those kids that believed in himself but wouldn’t get carried away with it, he’s very level-headed and still is.

‘We still have the odd text conversation, and when he's been able to come back to the club he has come down and watched some games.

'All the club are really proud of him for achieving that.'

Playing a key role in recent seasons, Kelly sees no reason why the Portchester product - who made his debut for Reading in a League Cup tie aged 20 in August 2017 - cannot go even higher than the Championship.

‘We just want him to play for England now, that would be an achievement,' Kelly added.

‘We’d like to think he can go all the way, we’re obviously biased, but you never know in football.

‘It would be a fantastic achievement. Let’s hope so.'

Rinomhota is one of four players who have started all 25 Championship games for Reading - also nicknamed the Royals - this season.

He could well be in the Premier League next season. At present, the Berkshire club are fifth, just two points behind second-placed Swansea having played a game more.