Steve Bishop (1994 – 1996)
The club’s first manager, Steve co-founded the club with his brother Gary. A committed central midfielder with a cultured left-foot, Steve’s Corinthians career was sadly cut short by a big money move into the Argentinean leagues, where rumour is that his Maradona-like hair has won him many admirers.
Gary Bishop (1994 – 1999)
Co-founder Gary started his Corinthians career as a ‘no-nonsense’ defender, before moving forwards as a classic ‘target-man’ to form a regular 50 goal a season partnership with current player Chris Long. Gary currently lives in the midlands battling crime, but has threatened a sensational comeback; defenders across the leagues are praying that it doesn’t happen.
John Witts (1994 – 2002)
Former manager John was a fully committed manager and player who filled either midfield or defensive positions. His two seasons managing the Corinthians were a solidifying time in the club’s history, and laid the foundations for later success. John currently lives in Reading with his young family.
Richard ‘Colin Hunter’ Blake (1998 – 2001)
Hunter’s Corinthians career can best be summarised as flowing easily from the sublime to the ridiculous. A talented defender or midfielder, Blakey’s ‘passionate’ approach to the game was infectious, and whether he will be remembered for his 40 yard top corner volley, or for being red-carded whilst in the back of an ambulance on gas and air, he will be remembered.
Alan ‘Watch Out’ Dark (1998 – 2002)
Another player in the Corinthians tradition of flamboyance, Al was a frustrated defender with dreams of a free-role. His constant threats to ‘open the locker’ sadly never materialised, although flashes of brilliance always suggested that the locker may just contain something special. Al is sadly missed in the dressing room, mainly due to the excitement of seeing what he was wearing each week, although his wardrobe’s tour appearances are annual events in themselves.
Mark ‘BFG’ Charters (1998 – 2002)
A former high level amateur rugby player, Mark came to football late in life but showed a natural, if unorthodox, flair for goalkeeping. An imposing figure, Mark’s ‘silent assassin’ style of coming for crosses struck uncertainty and fear into the hearts of the opposition and his own defenders alike, as did his love of changing room nudity. Mark is a committed traveller on the club’s annual football tour, where he still makes the occasional appearance with the gloves.
Mick ‘Not on my Shift’ Frost (2000 – 2004)
A talented and highly committed defender in the mould of his hero, Tony Adams, Mick captained the team superbly for it’s first two seasons in the Reading Saturday League. His commitment to having one shot per match, irrelevant of how far away he was from the goal, was as frustrating as it was amusing, but his premature retirement due to injury was a low point in Corinthians history.
Daryl ‘Lardy’ Frost (1999 – 2004)
Another in the long line of ‘enigmas’ in the Corinthian history books, Daryl was capable of the most audacious turn, shot or goal. A winger or wing back, he formed a formidable, but deceptively slow, right sided partnership with Ben Charters for several years, the Becks and G Nev of the Reading Leagues. The first of the Watford contingent of the Corinthians, ‘Lardy’ retired to concentrate on his golf and drinking in 2004.
Brian Blake (1998 – 2006)
Father of Richard, Bri ran the line for the Corinthians for 3 seasons before bad health prevented him from continuing. Bri’s passion for his own idea of fair-play saw him engage is many amusing disagreements with referee’s, opposition and more often than not his own son, but his ability to carry off the seldom used shell suit and black shoe combo made all things forgivable. A king amongst men, and sorely missed.