Who was the best ever "heartbeat" of Reading's team.

[Zammo]

Phil Parkinson.

[donface]

Parky was more like a defibrillator tbhtbf

[Royal Rother]

Generally the heartbeat of a team is considered to be a midfield general type but I'm not sure that's a rule so I'd suggest Martin Hicks.

Inspirational presence and his no nonsense style absolutely set the tone for what was a pretty successful time as captain and leader.

[Mike Hunt]

Brian Howard

[glass half full]

Ricky Newman

[Royalcop]

I remember the much-maligned Andy Hughes also did a good job in this role after he was moved into the middle, great energy.

[AbovetheI]

Peter Maté

[donface]

Paul Holsgrove.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Amen. Franco Baresi.

[No Fixed Abode]

Elroy Kromheer

[savage 4 england]

Andy Legg.

[Badger Finger]

Darren Caskey

[Isaac Hunt]

Gooding for sure. I'd actually consider the combination of Sidwell & Harper as opposed to just one of them.

Ledge did it well in the last Championship winning season. It is what we're missing right now.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Hayden Mullins or Chris Baird for me.

[YateleyRoyal]

Chris Makin or Ulysses de la Cruz.

[Badger Finger]

Sean Evers

[peterroyal76]

Kevin Watson.

[wally bassoon]

Grant Brebner

[M Brook]

Over the past 40 years, would have to be a toss up between Parky and Bowman.

[No Fixed Abode]

Ian Harte.