Reading Football Club: Introduction

Reading Football Club, often simply known as Reading FC, is a professional football club based in Reading, Berkshire, England. The club is nicknamed The Royals due to Reading’s location in the Royal County of Berkshire. Currently, Reading play in English League One.

The staff at the Fanbase hope the supporters taste a lot more success in the future. So, here’s our overview of the club’s history, achievements, and current status:

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Foundation and Early History

• Founded: 1871, making it one of the oldest football clubs in England. However, the club did not join the league system until 1920.
• Stadium: The club originally played at various grounds before moving to the Elm Park stadium in 1896. They later moved to their current home, the Madejski Stadium, in 1998, which was named after former chairman Sir John Madejski.
• Colours: Traditionally, Reading’s home colours are blue and white hoops, which have become iconic for the club.
• Nickname: The nickname of Reading FC is The Royals, but they did use The Biscuitmen previously.

Reading Football Club: League History

• Reading spent much of its early history outside the top divisions of English football. They played in the lower leagues for the majority of their existence.
• Promotion to the Premier League: The club’s most significant achievement came in the 2005-2006 season, when they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. They won the Championship (then known as the Football League Championship) with a record 106 points, which remains a record for the most points in a single season across the top four tiers of English football.

Premier League Era

• First Premier League Stint (2006-2008): Reading’s first season in the Premier League was a major success. They finished 8th, narrowly missing out on European qualification. However, they suffered relegation back to the Championship the following season.
• Second Promotion (2011-2012): Reading returned to the Premier League in the 2012-2013 season after winning the Championship again. However, they suffered relegation again after just one season.

Reading Football Club: Recent History

• After their second relegation from the Premier League, Reading have remained in the Championship, often finishing mid-table. They have had several managerial changes and fluctuated in form.
• Cup Runs: Reading has had notable cup runs, particularly reaching the FA Cup semi-final in 2014-2015, where Arsenal narrowly won after extra time.

Reading hold the title for the highest number of points for a season, with a total of 106 in 2005/06. Be that as it may, the club has no big honours to speak of.

• English 2nd tier: Winners (2006, 2012)
• England’s 3rd tier: Winners (1926, 1986, 1994)
• English 4th tier: Winners (1979)
• London War Cup (1941)
• Full Members Cup (1988)
• Football League Third Division South Cup (1938)

Reading Football Club: Rivalries

• Reading’s main rivals are typically considered to be Oxford United and Swindon Town. These rivalries are known as the Thames Valley derbies, although the clubs don’t play each other regularly due to being in different divisions. Aldershot was the club’s main rival until a quality gap came between them.

Stadium

• Madejski Stadium: The stadium, with a capacity of just over 24,000, has been Reading’s home since 1998. It’s a modern stadium with excellent facilities and also hosts rugby union matches.
• Reading played their football at Elm Park until 1998. However, around this period, a lot of teams were moving to be purpose-made all-seater stadiums.

Ownership and Financial Challenges

• In recent years, Reading has faced financial challenges, partly due to the high wages paid to players in an attempt to return to the Premier League. The club has had various owners, including Thai consortiums, which have faced scrutiny over the club’s financial management.
• Reading has also been subject to a points deduction due to financial irregularities, impacting their league standings and future prospects.

Reading Football Club: Current Status

• As of the 2023-2024 season, Reading is playing in EFL League One following relegation from the Championship. The club is focusing on rebuilding and stabilizing its finances with the hopes of returning to the Championship and eventually the Premier League.

Notable Players and Managers

• Steve Coppell: Managed the club during their most successful period, including the 106-point Championship-winning season and the first Premier League stint.
• Kevin Doyle and Shane Long: Two notable players from Reading’s Premier League era who went on to have successful careers in the top flight.
• Michael Gilkes: A long-serving player who became a fan favourite and, according to some, one of the club’s legends.

Club Philosophy and Support

• Reading has a reputation for having a strong youth academy and a connection with the local community. The club’s supporters are famous for their loyalty and creating a welcoming atmosphere at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading FC continues to be a significant club in English football, with a rich history and a fan base that remains hopeful for future successes.

Reading Football Club Promotion

Finally, do you want to put your team on the football map? Then use the Football Fan Base to highlight your favourite football team. From the forum to the massive soccer blog, our network allows you to promote your team. So, go ahead and put your team back on the map by creating an informative post today!

The more you post, the more authority you will command. Therefore, imagine being an ambassador for Reading FC. Our Fanbase is a platform made especially for you, so use it to your advantage and promote Reading as much as you can.

** Information updated on September 3, 2024.