A loyal Royal who wrote a song to mark Graeme Murty’s testimonial match had it played to the crowd as the former skipper walked on to the pitch.

Murty Man, written and produced by Neil Dunnett and friends, was blasted over the speakers at Madejski Stadium on Monday night as the Reading FC player walked out of the tunnel ahead of his special match to mark his 11 years at the club.

Mr Dunnett said of the match: “It was great, I loved it. It was really nice to see all the old faces return for the game.”

The current Reading side led by Brendan Rodgers won 3-2 against the Royals squad that won the 2005/06 Championship title with a record-breaking 106 points, led by former assistant boss Kevin Dillon.

Players from the 106 side included goalie Marcus Hahnemann, Nicky Shorey, James Harper and Ivar Ingimarsson.

As a special treat for showing his admiration for Murty, who scored a hat-trick of penalties, Mr Dunnett and his friends were invited on to the pitch.

He said: “He [Murty] had already heard the song and the lady from the testimonial committee said he loved it.”

The special tribute has the traditional sounds of a catchy, upbeat football chant that highlights the strong support for the player.

“It was one of these ideas about eight or nine of us had in the pub,” said Mr Dunnett of Coley.

“We have all been in bands over the years so we were able to just sit down and write something. It didn’t take very long.”

Lyrics include ‘bigging up the big Murty man’ to show their admiration for the former skipper.

“It was just a bit of fun,” added Mr Dunnett. “We are not pop stars and we are not trying to be. It was just a one-off for the day.

“I have been a fan of his since he has been at the club and have had a season ticket since the 90s so I have seen him play pretty much since he moved to Reading.

“You don’t really get footballers that stay at a club for that length of time any more, a lot of them seem to move on after two or three years.

“He has been a great leader, a great captain and a great player and he seems like a very down-to- earth, genuine bloke.”

- Also at the match was Isaac Beasley, seven, as a match mascot which he won in a getreading.co.uk competition.

Dad Richard Beasley said: “Isaac loved every minute of being a mascot and the reception after made it extra special.

“He went to bed after the match singing Reading songs.

“Thanks so much for helping to fulfil a seven-year-old’s dream”