Iconic Reading striker Adam Le Fondre revealed that he couldn't stop smiling when he found out that he was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Joining the Royals in 2011, 'Alfie' plundered 41 goals in 110 appearances as the club won the Championship, battled to stay in the Premier League and almost secured an immediate return.

Despite spending just three seasons in Berkshire, he is a fan favourite having top scored in each campaign.

Reading Chronicle: PAPA (Image: PA)

Still playing at 35 in Australia for Sydney FC, the Lancashire-native could hardly contrain his joy when speaking exclusively to the Reading Chronicle.

"It’s pretty incredible really. I’m still playing so it doesn’t really sink in. I knew what I contributed to Reading at the time, and what they contributed to me as a player and a person, was significant but I didn’t realise that I’d have such an effect I’d make the Hall of Fame. It’s a really special achievement to me," he beamed.

"I’m ecstatic with the contribution I made over the short period of time I was there. Do I wish I could have stayed longer and had a fairy-tale finish at Reading? Yeah, of course. If I could have played five, six, seven years that would have been amazing but for the three years I was there I absolutely loved it.

"It was a tough decision to leave, and I was gutted to leave because I love Reading. I love the place, everything about the club. The way they looked after me and my family, the way they would bend over backwards to help me out, and the rapport I had with the fans. Being adored like that, as a player, is something you don’t get very often."

One of 125 individuals inducted, 26 were included last year- with stars such as Robin Friday and Nicky Forster among them.

Le Fondre's title-winning teammates Adam Federici and Jimmy Kebe joined the former Rotherham United and Bolton Wanderers striker as nominees for the 2010s, individuals the 35-year-old believes deserves the accolade.

Reading Chronicle: PAPA (Image: PA)

"Feds is a great friend of mine. He was a fantastic keeper and a massive part of the changing room, and everything we did, in the seasons I was there. Even in the seasons after, until he left, he was a great figure in the dressing room. Jimmy is Jimmy. A mercurial talent who pulled his socks up in the middle of a game. He was electric. Rightly so, those two were integral parts of the squad that had great success. I’m really glad for both of them because they’re tremendous players and tremendous people."

With the club celebrating its 150th anniversary last season, an amazing day of celebrations took place in May with Brian McDermott's 2011/12 team facing Steve Coppell's 2005/06 team.

Unable to attend, Le Fondre feels his award makes up for his disappointment in the Spring.

"I’m absolutely gutted I couldn’t get to the game. I was devasted back at home, so far away, but the logistics of getting back was just too much. I really do wish I could have come back as it’s maybe once in a lifetime to go back and play for Reading again at the Mad Stad with all the fans there and playing with my old teammates.

"I was bitterly disappointed I missed out on that, but this is the silver lining- being inducted into the Hall of Fame. When I got told about it you couldn’t take the smile off of my face. You’re just so proud. When I finish my career, I want to be in these things because I want to think I’ve made a difference. To know that, at the age of 35, I’ve made a difference and got into arguably the best club I’ve played for’s Hall of Fame- I think I’ve done something right."