The Reading Post has revealed that former Shots loanee Ryan Crockford has been sent to prison for four years.
Crockford, who made six appearances for The Shots while on loan from Reading in 2006 had reportedly returned home from the town centre to get 'tooled up' with knives and went looking for an Asian gang who assaulted him during the early hours of Saturday 17th November 2007, Reading Crown Court heard.
The 21-year-old was determined to 'front up to the men' as he searched the town centre for his attackers, the court heard at his sentencing on Thursday.
Crockford's hunt was in vain and he instead got into another fight with Bracknell man Christopher Wright outside Broad Street Mall at 5am.
Blinded by rage, alcohol and cocaine, Crockford drew the knife and slashed the 29-year-old's face - then he buried the blade deep into the man's shoulder once his back was turned.
His victim was treated for non-life threatening knife wounds at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
The promising footballer later turned himself in at Reading Police Station where he was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent to endanger life.
Thames Valley Police and the Probation Service filed pre-sentence reports to Judge Zoe Smith detailing their surprise at Crockford's full and candid admissions during a police interview that finished in just over an hour, the court heard.
Crockford, of Corwen Road, Tilehurst, admitted the offence at Reading Magistrates' Court on November 27, last year.
He was committed to Reading Crown Court for sentencing and granted conditional bail until his appearance.
Adam Crook, defending, said Crockford had been "a man" about the entire incident and has always fully accepted "everything he had coming".
Mr Crook said his client's actions were totally out of character and that Crockford was opposed to guns and knives and had in the past been angered by news reports of youths carrying weapons.
Crockford's need for violent retribution was the result of the embarrassing and humiliating manner in which he had been beaten up before the second fight, Mr Crook added.
Sentencing, Judge Smith, said: "On this particular day you entered Reading town centre armed with knives and looking for a group of men who got the better of you.
"You were drunk to excess and had taken cocaine. Unfortunately you got into a fight with another man.
"You drew the knife and stabbed him in the back which caused a deep wound to his shoulder.
"Causing GBH with intent to endanger life is a very serious crime. I have considered the testimonials submitted on your behalf.
"Having regard to these, the remorse you showed right from the start, and your early guilty plea - I have come to a conclusion.
"Obviously people who go into the town centre carrying knives in search of a fight commit a very serious offence of which only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
"Your sentence is one of four years.
"You will serve half that time in prison and then be released on licence."