Full name | Reading Football Club |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Royals |
Founded | 1871 |
Ground | Madejski Stadium Reading (capacity: 24,161[1]) |
Owner | Thames Sport Investment |
Chairman | Sir John Madejski |
Manager | Brian McDermott |
League | Premier League |
2011–12 | The Championship, 1st (promoted) |
Website | Club home page |
Reading JErsey For This Season |
Reading are nicknamed The Royals, due to Reading's location in the Royal County of Berkshire, though they were previously known as The Biscuitmen, due to the town's association with Huntley & Palmers. Established in 1871, the club is one of the oldest teams in
England, but did not join The Football League until 1920, and had never played in the top tier of English football league system before the 2006–07 season.
The club played at Elm Park for 102 years in West Reading. The club moved in 1998 to the outskirts to the south of Reading to the new Madejski Stadium, which is named after the club's chairman Sir John Madejski.
The club holds the record for the number of successive league wins at the start of a season, with a total of 13 wins at the start of the 1985–86 Third Division campaign and also the record for the number of points gained in a professional league season with 106 points in the 2005–06 Football League Championship campaign. Reading finished eighth in their first ever season as a top flight club.
Contents |
History
Main article: History of Reading F.C.
Reading were formed on 25 December 1871, following a public meeting
at the Bridge Street Rooms organised by the future club secretary Joseph
Edward Sydenham.[2][3]
The early matches were played at Reading Recreation Ground, and later
the club held fixtures at Reading Cricket Ground, Coley Park and
Caversham Cricket Ground.[2]
The switch to professionalism in 1895 resulted in the need for a bigger
ground and, to this end, the club moved again, to the purpose-built Elm Park on 5 September 1896.[4] In 1913 Reading had a successful tour of Italy, prompting the leading sports newspaper Corriere della Sera to write "without doubt, Reading FC are the finest foreign team seen in Italy."[5]Reading were elected to the Football League Third Division South of the Football League in 1920. Reading's best performance in the FA Cup came in 1926–27 when they lost to eventual winners Cardiff City at Wolverhampton in the semi-final. Reading lost their place in Division Two in May 1931, and remained in Third Division South until the outbreak of World War II. The club won the Southern Section Cup, beating Bristol City in the two-legged final in 1938, and when taking part in the regional London War League and Cup competitions, gained another honour by beating Brentford in the London War Cup Final of 1941 by 3–2 at Stamford Bridge.
When League football resumed after the war, Reading quickly came to prominence once again. The club's record victory, 10–2 versus Crystal Palace, was recorded in September 1946, and Reading twice finished runners-up in the Third (South), in 1948–49 and 1951–52, but they were denied a return to Division Two as only the champions were promoted.[2] The side's moment of cup glory came in 1988 when they won the Simod Cup, beating a number of top flight sides en-route to their Wembley win over Luton Town. Reading were promoted to the Second Division as champions in 1986 under the management of Ian Branfoot, but were relegated back to the Third Division in 1988.
The appointment of Mark McGhee as player-manager, shortly after the takeover by John Madejski, in 1991 saw Reading move forward.[6] They were crowned champions of the new Division Two in 1994. 35-year-old striker Jimmy Quinn was put in charge of the first team alongside midfielder Mick Gooding and guided Reading to runners-up in the final Division One table – only to be denied automatic promotion because of the streamlining of the Premier League, from 22 teams to 20. In 1995 Reading had eased past Tranmere Rovers in the play-off semi-finals and looked to have booked their place in the Premier League only to lose against Bolton Wanderers in the final. Quinn and Gooding's contracts were not renewed two years later after Reading had slid into the bottom half of Division One. Their successor, Terry Bullivant, lasted less than one season before being sacked in March 1998.
The last ever competitive match played at Elm Park between Reading and Norwich City in May 1998 |
Reading won the 2005–06 Championship with a league record 106 points, scoring 99 goals and losing only twice.[10] Reading were promoted to English football's top division for the first time in their history. The 2006–07 season saw Reading make their first appearance in the top flight of English football. Reading defied pre-season predictions of relegation to finish the season in eighth place with 55 points.[11] Reading turned down the chance to play in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.[12] In the run up to their second season in the Premier League, Reading took part in the 2007 Peace Cup in South Korea.[13] This second season was less successful and Reading were relegated back to the Championship.[14]
Reading started the 2008–09 season with a 15 match unbeaten home run. They finished fourth and qualify for the play-offs,[15] where they lost to Burnley in the semi-final. Manager Steve Coppell resigned just hours after the game,[16] and was replaced by Brendan Rodgers.[17] Rodgers left the club by mutual consent on 16 December 2009 and Brian McDermott made caretaker manager the same day.[18] In the 2010–11 FA Cup, Reading reached the quarter-final, where they lost 1–0 to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium,[19] Reading eventually finished 5th in the Championship to qualify for the division's play-offs.[20] After beating Cardiff City in the semi-finals they lost 4–2 to Swansea City in the final at Wembley Stadium.[21][22] In the 2011–12 season a streak of good form in the second half of the season, ensured promotion to the Premier League on 17 April 2012 with 1–0 home win against Nottingham Forest.[23] On 21 January 2012, it was announced that John Madejski planned to sell 51% of the club to Thames Sport Investment led by Russian-born Anton Zingarevich[24] which was eventually completed on 29 May 2012.[25][26]
On 30 October 2012 Reading created an unwanted record in the last 16 of the Capital One (League) Cup. Playing at home to Arsenal, they took a 4-0 lead after 37 minutes, but Arsenal drew level at 4-4 two minutes after the allotted 4 minutes’ injury time. After extra time the result was a 5-7 loss, the first time any club in the League or FA Cup scored 5 goals and still lost.
Crest and colours
The first crest to appear on a Reading kit was in 1953, it featured just the letter "R". There was no crest seen again until 1981 when there was a crest featuring three trees and the rivers Thames and Kennet, this only lasted two seasons. From 1987–96 the crest used the new kit colours of yellow, sky blue, royal blue and white.[27] In 1995 chairman John Madejski thought it was important that the club moved with the times saying "I know some traditionalists will say we should keep the old badge but they should bear in mind the need to move forward." This crest only lasted from 1996–98 when the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium.[28] The current crest was first seen on the kits for the 1998–99 season.[27] It is based on the club colours, blue and white, a crown representing royal sovereignty for the County of Berkshire and an image of Reading's most famous landmark, the Maiwand Lion.[29]Stadiums
Main articles: Elm Park and Madejski Stadium
The club played at Reading Recreation Ground until 1878, before moving on to Reading Cricket Ground (1878–1882), Coley Park (1882–1889) and Caversham Cricket Ground (1889–1896).Elm Park was Reading's stadium for 102 years, pictured in 1981 |
In 1908, the club's annual general meeting proposed moving to a new ground near Reading railway station. A board meeting the following year decided that the move would not be possible, as "there was no chance of a move to the ground near to the GWR railway stations due to the actions of the Great Western Railway".[34]
The Madejski Stadium has been Reading's home ground since 1998 |
Reading began the 1998–99 season at the Madejski Stadium.[34] It was opened on 22 August 1998 when Luton Town were beaten 3–0. The stadium cost more than £50m to build and the pitch incorporates a system of synthetic fibres interwoven with natural grass, installed at a cost of more than £750,000.[37] For the first time in their history, Reading Football Club participated in the Premier League in the 2006–07 season. As a result of the sell-out crowds for their first few fixtures of the season, the club announced their intention, in October 2006,[38] to make a planning application to extend the ground to between 37,000 to 38,000 seats. The application was made on 24 January 2007, proposing initially the extension of the East Stand with a further 6,000 seats (raising capacity to around 30,000) and subsequently extension of the North and South Stands to reach the full proposed capacity.[39] On Thursday 24 May 2007 it was announced that planning permission had been granted to extend the stadium to a capacity of 36,900.[40]
Supporters and rivalries
See also: M4 derby and Supporters' Trust At Reading
Supporters at a Reading match at Elm Park in 1913 |
Before going out of business in 1992, Aldershot were Reading's biggest rivals.[43][44] There was a strong rift between the two sets of fans, with fighting between fans occurring on several occasions. Strong feelings remain between fans of Reading and fans of Aldershot Town, the refounded club in Aldershot. With Aldershot Town rejoining the league in 2008, it remains to be seen whether this traditional rivalry will be reestablished.
Since Aldershot's exile, Reading's main local rivalries have been with Oxford United and Swindon Town. When the three teams had shared a division, their rivalry was referred to as the "Didcot Triangle".[45][46] However, the rivalry between Oxford and Swindon is stronger than between either of the two and Reading, partly due to them both spending their recent history in lower divisions than Reading.[47]
In 2012, a report showed that Reading's main rivals were Aldershot Town, followed by Swindon Town and Oxford United.[48]
In July 2012, local band 'Violet Class' recorded a song in tribute to the Royals, entitled 'Biscuitmen'.[49]
Sponsorship
Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|
1976–77 | Umbro | none |
1977–81 | Bukta | |
1981–82 | none | |
1982–83 | Reading Chronicle | |
1983–84 | Umbro | Radio 210 |
1984–89 | Patrick | Courage |
1989–90 | Matchwinner | |
1990–92 | HAT Painting | |
1992–93 | Brooks | Auto Trader |
1993–96 | Pelada | |
1996–99 | Mizuno | |
1999–2001 | Westcoast | |
2001–04 | Kit@ | |
2004–05 | Puma | |
2005–08 | Kyocera | |
2008–13 | Waitrose[50] |
Records and statistics
Main article: List of Reading F.C. records and statistics
Reading's progress through the English football league system from 1920 to 2012 |
The club's largest win was a 10–2 victory over Crystal Palace on 4 September 1946 in the Football League Third Division South.[51] Reading's heaviest loss was a 18–0 defeat against Preston North End in the FA Cup 1st round on 27 January 1894.[51] Reading have lost the two highest scoring matches in the history of the Premier League; Portsmouth 7 Reading 4 on 29 September 2007 and Tottenham Hotspur 6 Reading 4 on 29 December 2007.
The player with the most league appearances is Martin Hicks with a total of 500 from 1978 to 1991.[51] The most capped player is Kevin Doyle, who earned 26 for Ireland while at the club.[54][51] The most league goals in total and in a season is Ronnie Blackman with 158 from 1947 to 1954 and 39 in 1951–52 respectively.[51] The player with the most league goals in a game is Arthur Bacon with 6 against Stoke City in 1930–31.[51] The first Reading-based player to play in the World Cup is Bobby Convey at the 2006 World Cup with the United States.[51] The record time for a goalkeeper not conceding a goal is Steve Death at 1103 minutes in 1978–79, which is a former English league record.[55]
Reading's highest attendance at Elm Park was in 1927, when 33,042 spectators watched Reading beat Brentford 1–0.[56] The highest attendance at the Madejski Stadium is 24,184 for the Premier League game with Everton on 17 November 2012.
The highest transfer fee received for a Reading player is the £7 million 1899 Hoffenheim paid for Gylfi Sigurdsson on 31 August 2010.[51][57] The most expensive player Reading have ever bought was Emerse Fae, who cost £2.5m from Nantes on 2 August 2007.[51][58]
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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|
Reserve/Academy squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable players
In 1999 Reading F.C. commissioned a poll of the supporters' "Player of the Millennium", to determine the club's best ever player.[61] However, Reading's most successful period was winning promotion to the Premier League up until now. Therefore, many other notable players, such as Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Gylfi Sigurdsson are not included in the poll.Pos. | Player |
---|---|
1 | Robin Friday |
2 | Trevor Senior |
3 | Steve Death |
Shaka Hislop | |
5 | Phil Parkinson |
6 | Alf Messer |
7 | Jimmy Quinn |
8 | Michael Gilkes |
9 | Ronnie Blackman |
10 | Martin Hicks |
Player of the Season
Main article: Reading F.C. Player of the Season
International players
Main article: List of Reading F.C. internationals
Former players
Main article: List of Reading F.C. players
Club officials
Sir John Madejski has been the Chairman of Reading since 1990 |
- Chief Executive: Nigel Howe
- Commercial Director: Pat Coyne
- Club Secretary: Sue Hewett
- Financial Controller: Bryan Stabler
- Directors: Sir John Madejski (Chairman), Anton Zingarevich, Christopher Samuelson, Andrew Obolensky, Nigel Howe and Ian Wood-Smith[26]
- First Team Manager: Brian McDermott
- Director of Football: Nick Hammond
- First Team Coach: Nigel Gibbs
- Goalkeeping Coach: Sal Bibbo
- Head Of Sports Science: Karl Halabi
- First Team Physio: Luke Anthony
- Development Coach: Chris Cummins
- First Team Head Scout: Steve Shorey
- Academy Manager: Eamonn Dolan
- Assistant Academy Manager: David Dodds
- Academy Development Manager: Lee Herron
- Kit Manager: Selby Armstrong
- Masseur: Dan Buchanan
- ProZone: Lucy Rushton
Managers
Main article: List of Reading F.C. managers
Honours
For more details on this topic, see List of Reading F.C. records and statistics.
-
- 1940–41
-
- Semi-finalists 1927
- Highest league finish:
-
- Premier League 2007, 8th Place
Managerial
- LMA Manager of the Year
- Steve Coppell 2005–06, 2006–07
- LMA Championship Manager of the Year
- Brian McDermott 2011–12[65]
References
- Notes
- ^ "Madejski Stadium information". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ a b c "The History of Reading Football Club". readingfc.co.uk. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ Discover gems of our heritage, Reading Chronicle, 10 September 2009.
- ^ "Elm Park Reading". Old Football Grounds. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
- ^ "The Reading FC Tour of Italy 1913". November 2002. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2006.
- ^ "Season 1991–92". Royals' Record. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Walsall break Reading hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 27 May 2001. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Pardew free to join Hammers". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 September 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Coppell seals Reading deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 October 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Championship Table 2005-06". football365. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
- ^ "2006–07 Barclays Premier League Table". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Royals need at least a draw on Sunday to have any chance of a European spot". Reading Football Club. 13 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Peace Cup diary". BBC Berkshire. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2007.
- ^ Ive, Ive (16 May 2008). "Murty's big game is hit by relegation". Reading Post. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Coca-Cola Football League Championship 2008–2009". football365. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
- ^ "Burnley 1–0 Reading". BBC Sport. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2009.
- ^ Ley, John (4 June 2009). "Brendan Rodgers new Reading manager". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
- ^ "McDermott as Caretaker". readingfc.co.uk. 16 December 2009.
- ^ "Man City 1 – 0 Reading". BBC News. 13 March 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "League Tables". The Football League. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Cardiff 0 – 3 Reading (agg 0 – 3)". BBC News. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Wembley tickets sold, season ticket update". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
- ^ "Reading 1–0 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "Reading set for Thames Sports Investment cash boost". BBC News. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
- ^ "TSI 51% acquisition now complete". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Russian tycoon Anton Zingarevich completes Reading takeover". BBC News. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Old Reading colours". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
- ^ "Vote to choose the new Royals badge". Reading Evening Post. 27 November 1995. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "New crest design". onlysport.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ^ "History of our hooped shirts". readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ a b c Yeo (1976, p. 192)
- ^ a b Yeo (1976, p. 193)
- ^ Royals Record (2011a). "Reading's Grounds". Royals Record. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e 1871 (2003). "The Home Grounds of Reading FC". 1871 – The Ultimate Reading FC Website. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ a b Digby (2001, p. 46)
- ^ Loader, Graham (1998). "READING 0 Norwich City 1". Hob Nob Anyone?. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Stadium pitch has been lengthened". readingfc.co.uk. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2007.
- ^ "Royals ready to extend Madejski". BBC Sport. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
- ^ "Plans for stadium expansion will be submitted to the Council later this week" (Press release). Reading F.C.. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
- ^ "Committee Report by the Director of Environment Culture & Sport" (PDF). Reading Borough Council Planning Applications Committee. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ "Loyal Royals' number is up!". readingfc.co.uk. 6 August 2001. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
- ^ "Fans given thumbs up for Number 13". readingfc.co.uk. 9 August 2001. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
- ^ "No 6. Reading". The Guardian (London). 21 February 2001. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ http://www.royals.org/matdoc/140701.html
- ^ "Didcot Triangle/Wallingford Quadrangle". Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
- ^ "Didcot Triangle". Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Rivalry Uncovered" (PDF). The Football Fans Census. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2007.
- ^ http://www.thedaisycutter.co.uk/2012/09/football-rivalries-the-survey/
- ^ http://soundcloud.com/violetclass/violet-class-biscuitmen,
- ^ "Waitrose announces two-year extension of Reading FC sponsorship". waitrose.presscentre.com. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Club Honours and Records". Reading F.C.. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
- ^ "Points record". The Football League. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Reading 2–1 QPR". BBC Sport. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2006.
- ^ "Reading Internationals". Royals' Record. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ "United stretch lead after Van der Sar record". CNN world sport. Cable News Network. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
- ^ van Eijden, Han (2011). "Elm Park Reading". Old Football Grounds. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "Sigurdsson leaving in Club record deal". Reading Footbal Club. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ "Fae joins for club record fee". 2 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- ^ "Player Profiles". Reading F.C. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
- ^ "Trio pen loan deals". Reading F.C. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
- ^ "Player Of The Millennium vote". Reading F.C.. 5 September 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ "Reading F.C. "The Management"". Reading F.C.. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ "RFC Academy staff list". Reading F.C.. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ "More first team staff profiles". Reading F.C.. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2772976,00.html
- Bibliography
- Digby, Bob (2001), It's a World Thing, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199134286, retrieved 2 June 2011
- Yeo, Stephen (1976), Religion and Voluntary Organisations in Crisis, Abingdon, Oxfordshire: Taylor and Francis, ISBN 0856640174, retrieved 1 June 2011
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