Shaun Cummings - Club Career

Club Career

Born in Hammersmith, London, Cummings joined Chelsea's academy as a 12-year-old in 2002 and was the Blues' leading appearance-maker at reserve team level in the 2007–08 season, playing 18 games and scoring once. In August 2008, he joined League One team Milton Keynes Dons on an initial month's loan. His loan was extended until the end of the 2008–09 season in December. He made his debut for the Dons on 16 August 2008 against Northampton Town. He joined Championship team West Bromwich Albion on a month's loan on 17 August 2009, but remained at The Hawthorns for just two weeks before signing for Reading on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with his Academy manager at Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers.

Cummings made his debut on 12 September against Doncaster Rovers but was unable to hold down a regular starting place, making just seven further appearances under Rodgers. With Reading struggling in the league, Rodgers was sacked in December and under his successor, Brian McDermott, Cummings did not make another appearance for the rest of the season. The 2010–11 season followed a similar pattern for Cummings with Andy Griffin preferred at right back. He made just 12 appearances during the season but did play an important role in Reading's 3–0 play-off semi final second leg win over Cardiff City, filling in on the right wing and earning plaudits for his performance. In August 2011 Cummings signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him with the club until June 2013. Despite again starting the season as backup to Griffin, an injury to the experienced defender allowed Cummings into team and a series of impressive performances saw him cement his place in the side. He made a total of 36 appearances during Reading's title-winning season as they returned to the Premier League with the tightest defence in the league.

With the signing of Chris Gunter in July 2012 Cummings again found himself out of the side for the start of the Premier League season. He returned to the team for the 3–2 League Cup win over Queens Park Rangers and played the next four games before Gunter reclaimed his place in the side. He signed a new two-and-a-half year contract in December 2012, and a further run of games in December and January followed, before he again dropped out of the side after Stephen Kelly joined during the January transfer window. He did not appear again during the 2012–13 season under McDermott or his successor Nigel Adkins, with his last of eleven appearances coming on 5 January in the 3–1 FA Cup win over Crawley Town.