Reading continued their summer transfer activity this week by bringing in Udoka Godwin-Malife on a permanent deal from fellow League One club Burton Albion. The right-sided defender is the Royals’ second addition of this window, following the arrival of Kyreece Lisbie, and is someone the club have tracked for some time, according to manager Leam Richardson.
Godwin-Malife – better known as ‘Dokes’ by Brewers fans – is certainly an intriguing prospect for Reading. So what better way to find out more
about him than to go to a Burton supporter?
Many thanks to David Wilson-Turner (@davidwt1997) from the Brewers Babble (@brewersbabble) podcast for giving his in-depth take on Dokes. All in all, it makes for very encouraging reading about the Royals’ new defender.
How would you sum up Dokes’ time at Burton Albion?
Dokes had a very good time with the club. His first season started with a goal on his debut, which set the tone for a solid season, mostly spent as the right-wing-back for the Brewers.
With the end of the season coming around, he then picked up the captain’s armband for the start of the 2025/26 season, and again became a very key player in the side.
With the arrival of Kyran Lofthouse in the wing-back position in January 2025, Godwin-Malife moved inside to the right-centre-back role, which he kept throughout the entirety of last season.
What style of defender is he positionally/tactically?
At the Brewers, Dokes has played at both right-wing-back and right-centre-back, but he has also played as a right-back during his time with previous clubs also. When he plays out wide, it is possibly his best place – he can get up the pitch, driving the ball forward and getting crosses into the box, creating chances.
What are his main strengths?
His main strengths are his pace, power and physicality. One of the quickest defenders I’ve seen pull on a Brewers shirt, and his passion to win the ball back from opposing players was key to his success at the club.
Any weaknesses?
Across two seasons, he notched three goals and six assists, and I think if he were to play wing-back, he would need to add more of that to his game, considering it is likely he would be more attacking.
It is difficult to judge if his numbers would be higher if he played as a wing-back more during his time at the club, but that’s probably the biggest question mark.
There were odd occasions when he got caught high up the pitch also – more when he played in the centre-back role, as he was up supporting Lofthouse. I would expect that, if he played as a wing-back, a more defensive outside centre-back could combat that issue.
What are your stand-out memories of him for good or bad reasons?
Dokes has been a huge part of the last two seasons’ escapes from relegation, however I think the second half of 2024/25 is possibly the more important one of the two.
His performance level when Gary Bowyer first came into the building is a big reason why he was trusted with the captaincy last season, and why he finds himself making this move now.
He also netted the first goal of the new era of the football club, scoring on home debut against Lincoln City, as well as a rasping strike from the edge of the box against Exeter City back in March.
What’s his character like?
Dokes is one of the most likeable characters you will come across. Time for the fans, wears his heart on his sleeve, and gives everything for the badge he is wearing. His passion in a victory is matched by his visual disappointment in defeat.
Will he be a success for Reading?
I think for Dokes to be a success, he has to be reverted to his more natural position as a right-back, or right-wing-back, depending on the formation Reading will play this season. Dokes out wide can be a real threat going forward, and a really difficult defender to get past going the other way.
