Matty Carson issues farewell message to Reading FC supporters following departure | OneFootball

Matty Carson has thanked Reading fans and staff on social media after being released by the League One outfit, sharing his message on X.

The 21-year-old joined the Royals during the early stages of 2023 after leaving Accrington Stanley, but didn't feature during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, which didn't come as a major surprise.

He was parachuted into the first team during the early stages of the 2023/24 season though, making his senior debut away at Millwall in a 4-0 EFL Cup win back in August.

For a while, he also took over from Nesta Guinness-Walker at left-back, performing well against Cheltenham Town during the third league game of the season and being given a chance to shine after that.

However, he was caught out defensively at times and this is a key reason why others were eventually preferred as a starting left-back, including Clinton Mola and Jeriel Dorsett.

Speaking of Mola, he was released along with Carson, fellow left-back Guinness-Walker and the experienced Sam Hutchinson this morning, with all four players set to leave the Select Car Leasing Stadium on the expiration of their deals.

Other players, including Femi Azeez, have had their deals extended, whilst Kelvin Abrefa and Tivonge Rushesha remain in talks about extending their stays in Berkshire.

Many Royals fans on social media have agreed with most of these calls, but some believe Carson and Mola should have stayed put, with the former able to be a real threat from set-pieces and the latter improving quite considerably during the final months of the campaign.

Carson had a fairly mixed 2023/24 season and it has ended on a sour note for him, with the left-back being released.

However, there doesn't seem to be any bitterness from the 21-year-old, who posted on X: "Thank you to all the Reading fans for your amazing support in this difficult season and thank you to Noel Hunt (U21 manager), Ruben (Selles) and everyone at Reading for everything they have done to help me as a player and a person.

"I wish the club every success in the future, on to the next chapter."

Matty Carson can hold his head high after Reading FC spell

The left-back has performed admirably at times, considering his lack of senior experience.

It could definitely be said that he needs to improve the defensive side of his game if he wants to make it in the EFL, with his side often being targeted successfully when he played.

However, he can be a game-changer from set-pieces and he certainly has some of the attributes needed to be a successful footballer.

The defender is only 21 as well - and that should mean that he has enough time to improve and become a much better footballer.

He will be out to prove why he shouldn't have been released and he has more than enough potential to succeed in that potential quest, although he may need to drop down to the fourth or fifth tier before climbing his way back up the pyramid.