Borislav ‘Bobby’ Mihaylov
Reading 1995-1997
What raises a player to the status of legend? Is it breathtaking ability, passionate performances or serving the club from debut to testimonial? Borislav ‘Bobby’ Mihaylov possessed none of these attributes yet through the saga and bizarre antics that came from his 28 Royal’s appearances, he’s a name the faithful will always remember.
After agonisingly missing out on promotion in the 1994/95 play-off final, the omen was to look at ways of strengthen the team. With Simon Osborn and Shaka Hislop being sold to QPR and Newcastle United, respectively, it led to the emergence of Darren Caskey and Bulgarian Bobby Mihaylov. To ask anyone to fill Shaka’s boots after the Royals hero’s departure was no mean feat but with Bobby’s incredible international record and wealth of experience, the Biscuitmen had reason for optimism they’d found the right man. By the end of the 1995-96 season, the optimism had dwindled but the ‘keeper would stand out in Reading folklore.
Bulgaria and Bobby in particular made quite the impression during the 1994 USA World Cup. He was the established captain of the team and had played on the international stage for over a decade. Mihaylov finished the tournament as a semi-finalist and as the second best keeper, but his performances were not the main reason he’ll be remembered. After beginning the tournament bald a couple of games later he appeared from the tunnel with a full head of hair, that seemed to bewilder his team mates as much as the crowd. It was later confirmed that Bobby had recently brought a hair clinic in Bulgaria and was promoting its products. Unfortunately the sheering temperatures were not to be the best advertising conditions, resulting in a re-adjustment of his toupee under the guise of a towel.
Plying his trade in the French league with little-known outfit Mulhouse, a big money move to England, Italy or Spain surely had to be on the cards for Bobby and his hairpiece, even at the age of 32. The move come a year later when the Elm Park faithful were sure they had pulled off an amazing coup by signing the shot-stopper from Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv, for a mere £300,000. Although a myth of the time implied that he’d seen the playoff defeat of 1995 and assumed that Wembley would be his new home stadium. Imagine the shock when he was driven to Elm Park for his debut.
But This was Bobby’s chance to make his mark in English football and with such an impressive background on the international stage; surely he would be a success. Things didn’t begin smoothly though, difficulties grasping the English language and delays in obtaining a work permit were just the short-term problems. Sal Bibbo couldn’t give the toupee-wearer a proper fight for the number one jersey, could he? Following Bobby’s commitments to the Bulgarian national team and disappointing performances in goal for Reading, seven different keepers were used in the 1996/7 season. After Mihaylov was injured in a game against Bolton even Jimmy Quinn, then joint manager, took the job between the sticks. Quinn commented after the match: “we only started playing after Bobby went off. Until then, we just couldn’t get the ball down and pass it.”
Is Bobby my Royals legend for the wrong reasons, or does he deserve this accolade? He may not have been the most successful or the most important player to wear the ‘keepers jersey, but as a personality he warrants something. Most importantly it makes you realise how lucky we were to have had Shaka Hislop and Steve Death at the club. It’s a funny old game and without characters like Bobby supplying us with anecdotes, life as a Reading fan would be a lot less enjoyable.