Harlee Dean, a former player for Birmingham City, recently opened up about his departure from the club, revealing that he felt he ‘needed’ to leave as the team had drained his enjoyment of football. After being loaned to Sheffield Wednesday in 2022 and then joining them permanently in 2023, Dean confessed that he rediscovered his love for the game at his new club.
Speaking on the Undr The Cosh podcast, the 33-year-old shared his experience, highlighting the stark contrast between his time at Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. At Birmingham, Dean described his experience as a constant grind, devoid of joy, while at Wednesday, he found himself immersed in a vibrant and enthusiastic environment. Playing in League One for Wednesday, Dean felt the excitement of chasing promotion, enjoying the camaraderie of the dressing room, and relishing the opportunity to play good football.
During his tenure at Birmingham City, Dean made significant contributions, playing 200 games and scoring nine goals for the team. However, his departure from the club last year was mutually beneficial, allowing him to join Reading, where he has made 23 appearances so far. Prior to his time at Birmingham, Dean had successful spells with Brentford, Dagenham and Redbridge, and Southampton.
Currently, Dean finds himself facing his former club Birmingham City as he plays for Reading in League One. Reading, managed by Ruben Selles, is positioned 8th in the table, just outside the play-off spots. Despite facing off-field challenges, Selles has guided the team admirably, with Dean’s experience proving valuable to the youthful squad. Meanwhile, Birmingham City is aiming for promotion back to the Championship, currently sitting in 4th place.
Looking ahead, Dean and Reading are gearing up for a match against Exeter City, with the Royals hoping to secure a victory to boost their play-off aspirations. As for Birmingham City, they are determined to bounce back from their recent defeat and continue their quest for promotion. The clash between the two teams serves as a testament to Dean’s journey from disillusionment at Birmingham to newfound enjoyment at Reading, embodying the ups and downs of a professional footballer’s career.
