Reading F.C.
Reading F.C.
Main page
R

Reading F.C.

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
Read side by side
Reading F.C.
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Reading Football Club (/ˈrɛdɪŋ/ ⓘ RED-ing) is a professional football club based in Reading, Berkshire, England. They compete in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system. They play their home matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Key Information

Reading are nicknamed The Royals after the Royal County of Berkshire, and were previously known as The Biscuitmen, due to the town's association with biscuit maker 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 first played in the top tier of English football league system in the 2006–07 season. The club competed in the 2012–13 Premier League season, having gained promotion at the end of the 2011–12 season after winning the Championship, but were relegated after just one season back in the top flight.

Reading won the 1987–88 Full Members' Cup and were one of only two Second Division clubs to lift the trophy, beating Luton Town 4–1 in the final at Wembley. The club's best performance in the FA Cup was reaching the semi-finals which they achieved twice: in 1926–27 and 2014–15.

The club played at Elm Park for 102 years, from 1896 to 1998. In 1998, the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium, which was named after the club's former chairman Sir John Madejski. In 2021, the club announced that the ground would be known as the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the subsequent decade for sponsorship reasons.

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. During their 2005–06 Football League Championship season, Reading set a new record for the highest number of points gained in a professional league season, at 106. Reading then achieved their highest finish of eighth in the 2006–07 Premier League, their first season as a top flight club.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of Reading F.C.
See also: Thames Valley Royals proposal

Formation and gradual rise (1871–1991)

[edit]

Reading were formed on 25 December 1871, following a public meeting at the Bridge Street Rooms organised by Joseph Edward Sydenham, who would go on to be club secretary.[3][4] 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.[3] 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.[5] 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".[6] Attilio Fresia moved to Reading as a result of the tour, becoming the first Italian to play in English football.

The team from the 1926–27 season

Reading were elected to the Football League Third Division South of the Football League in 1920. The club were promoted to the Second Division, following a Third Division South title win in 1926. 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, a placement the club would not match again until 2015, when they lost to holders Arsenal in the semi-final. The attendance at the 1–0 victory over Brentford in the fifth round set a new attendance record for Elm Park, at 33,042 people. This remains the highest attendance at a Reading home match. Reading lost their place in the Second Division 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.[3] Reading were relegated to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in the 1971–72 season. A return to the Third Division was achieved, following a third-placed finish in 1975–76, but the club suffered immediate relegation. The 1978–79 season saw Reading win the Fourth Division to win promotion back to the Third Division.

Relegation was suffered in 1982–83. Towards the end of that season, Oxford United chairman Robert Maxwell announced that he had completed a deal to merge Oxford and Reading into a single club – Thames Valley Royals. Maxwell claimed that both clubs were on the verge of bankruptcy and having a united team was required for the Thames Valley region to retain a Football League club. The proposed amalgamation was prevented by the actions of Roy Tranter, a Reading director, and Roger Smee, a former Reading player. Smee disputed the legitimacy of the controlling interest in Reading held by the three board members that supported the merger plan. Tranter launched a legal challenge to the sale of certain shares on 22 April 1983. The supporters of the plan allies resigned under pressure from the rest of the Reading board in May 1983. At an extraordinary shareholders' meeting in July, Smee took over the club to end the amalgamation plans.

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.

Onwards and upwards (1991–2005)

[edit]

The appointment of Mark McGhee as player-manager, shortly after the takeover by John Madejski, in 1991 saw Reading move forward.[7] They were crowned champions of the new Division Two in 1994. Thirty-five-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 4–3 against Bolton Wanderers in the final having been 2–0 up and missed a penalty at half-time. 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 a season before being sacked in March 1998. Reading were relegated back to Division Two at the end of the 1997–98 season.

The last competitive match played at Elm Park between Reading and Norwich City in May 1998

The year 1998 also saw Reading move into the new 24,200 all-seater Madejski Stadium, named after chairman John Madejski. Tommy Burns had taken over from Terry Bullivant but lasted just 18 months before being replaced by Alan Pardew, who had previously been reserve team manager before being released. The club finished third in 2000–01 qualifying for the play-offs, losing 2–3 in the final against Walsall at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.[8] Reading returned to Division One for 2002–03 after finishing runners-up in Division Two. The following season, they finished fourth in Division One and qualified for the play-offs, where they lost in the semi-final to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Pardew moved to West Ham United[9] the following October and was replaced by Steve Coppell.[10]

Rise to the Premier League and yo-yo years (2005–2013)

[edit]

Reading won the 2005–06 Championship with a league record 106 points, scoring 99 goals and losing only twice.[11] They 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.[12] Reading turned down the chance to play in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.[13] In the run up to their second season in the Premier League, Reading took part in the 2007 Peace Cup in South Korea.[14] This second season was less successful, however, and Reading were relegated back to the Championship.[15]

Reading started the 2008–09 season with a 15 match unbeaten home run. They finished fourth and qualify for the play-offs,[16] where they lost to Burnley in the semi-final. Manager Steve Coppell resigned just hours after the game,[17] replaced by Brendan Rodgers.[18] Rodgers left the club by mutual consent on 16 December 2009 and Brian McDermott made caretaker manager the same day.[19] In the 2010–11 FA Cup, Reading reached the quarter-final, where they lost 1–0 to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium,[20] Reading eventually finished fifth in the Championship to qualify for the division's play-offs.[21] After beating Cardiff City in the semi-finals, they lost 4–2 to Swansea City in the final at Wembley.[22][23] In the 2011–12 season, a streak of good form in the second half of the season, ensured promotion back to the Premier League on 17 April 2012 with 1–0 home win against Nottingham Forest.[24]

On 21 January 2012 it was reported that Madejski planned to relinquish control of the club by selling a 51% stake for £40 million to Thames Sports Investments, a Russian consortium headed by Anton Zingarevich.[25] As part of the deal, Madejski would continue as chairman before becoming honorary life president. Madejski's ownership of the club ended on 29 May 2012.[26]

McDermott led Reading to their first Premier League win of the 2012–13 season on 17 November 2012 at their 11th attempt, defeating Everton 2–1 at home.[27] On 11 March 2013, however, he left his position at Reading.[28] Nigel Adkins was then appointed as manager, though he was unable to save them from relegation after drawing Queens Park Rangers 0–0 on 28 April 2013 at Loftus Road.

Reading's progress through the English football league system from 1920 to present.

Return to the Championship (2013–2023)

[edit]

The following season back in the Championship saw Reading make two high-profile signings in Wayne Bridge and Royston Drenthe in hope of an immediate return to the Premier League. Reading, however, missed out on the playoffs because of a last minute winner from Brighton & Hove Albion's Leonardo Ulloa, which meant the Seagulls made the playoffs at Reading's expense.

The 2014–15 pre-season saw further arrivals of Jamie Mackie on loan, Oliver Norwood and the return of Simon Cox. The club was under a high threat of administration, causing departures of Sean Morrison and Adam Le Fondre and a Thai consortium taking over the club.[29] A good start to Nigel Adkins' second season in charge was followed by a poor run of results that ended with his sacking after a 6–1 away defeat to Birmingham City with Steve Clarke taking over the next day in the hope of a promotion push. However, a lack of goals and some poor form in the league meant the club faced some fears of relegation to League One, but safety was secured with few games to spare. Nonetheless, during that time, the club embarked on a successful FA Cup journey, reaching the semi-final where they lost 2–1 to Arsenal at Wembley. The following season saw the club bring in many players in the hopes of gaining promotion, but the club finished 17th.

In the summer leading up to the 2016–17 season the club announced the departure of Brian McDermott and eventually he was to be replaced by former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam.[30] Under Stam, Reading achieved their highest finish since relegation back to the Championship by finishing third and reaching the play-offs, where they beat Fulham on aggregate before facing Huddersfield Town in the final at Wembley where they lost on penalties following 0–0 draw after extra time. In 2017, Chinese investors Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li acquired the club.[31]

The team languished towards the bottom of the table for most of the 2017–18 season. On 21 March 2018, Stam resigned as manager after a nine-game winless run.[32] Two days later, on 23 March 2018, Paul Clement was appointed as Reading's new manager; the club finished the season in 20th place, avoiding relegation by three points.[33]

Clement was sacked on 6 December 2018 after poor results left the club outside of the relegation zone only on goal difference.[34] He was replaced by José Gomes on 22 December, who steered the club away from relegation to finish 20th again.[35] However, after a slow start to the 2019–20 season, Gomes was dismissed after less than a year in charge with the team in the relegation zone in October 2019.[36] Sporting director Mark Bowen was promoted to the role as his replacement a week later and led the team to finish 14th before departing the club in August 2020.[37]

Former Chicago Fire boss Veljko Paunović was appointed manager on 29 August 2020.[38] The team got off to an excellent start to the 2020–21 season, winning seven of their first eight league games. However, the team's form faded after injuries to several key players and they eventually narrowly missed out of the play-offs, finishing seventh.

On 17 November 2021 it was confirmed Reading would be deducted six points due to breaching the EFL's profitability and sustainability rules.[39] Over five years, the club reported pre-tax losses of £146m, way beyond the EFL's limit of a £13m annual pre-tax loss. In 2021, the club spent 234% of its revenue on player wages.[40]

Following a 3–2 away victory over Preston North End in February 2022, manager Veljko Paunović left by mutual consent, with Paul Ince being placed in interim charge of the team alongside academy manager Michael Gilkes.[41] On 16 May, Ince became the team's permanent manager,[42] with Mark Bowen returning as head of football operations.[43]

On 1 March 2023, the team was reported to be facing another six-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.[44] The club accepted the penalty on 4 April 2023, enforced with immediate effect.[45] A week later, on 11 April, Ince left after a run of eight games without a win, leaving the club in 22nd place, one point from safety. Under-21 manager Noel Hunt was placed in interim charge until the end of the season.[46] The club was relegated from the Championship on 4 May 2023 after 10 years in the second tier.[47] Without the six point deduction, Reading would have finished on 50 points, escaping relegation.

League One struggles and club for sale (2023–present)

[edit]

In June 2023, Reading were charged by the EFL with failing to pay their players on time and in full, in October and November 2022, and April 2023,[48] and with non-payment of taxes[49] – charges that meant Reading started their 2023–24 League One season with a points deduction.[50] Following the EFL's action, Reading fans groups united to launch a campaign, Sell Before We Dai,[51] urging owner Dai Yongge to sell the club, calling his stewardship "an unmitigated disaster"[51] and citing the club's "excruciating financial losses".[52] On 28 July, the club was placed under another transfer embargo because of the unpaid taxes.[53] On 2 August, Dai Yongge was reported to be seeking new investors to bring financial stability to the club.[54]

Meanwhile, on 26 June 2023, Reading announced the provisional appointment of Rubén Sellés as their new manager,[55] confirmed on 14 July, after his visa application was successful.[56]

On 16 August 2023, after one win and two defeats in their opening three league fixtures, Reading had a point deducted (their third deduction in three consecutive seasons), and a further three-point deduction suspended, for failing to pay players fully and on time during the 2022–23 season. Dai Yongge was ordered to pay 125% of the club's forecast monthly wages into a designated account.[57] After failing to comply, the suspended points deduction was applied on 13 September,[58] and Dai Yongge faced a misconduct charge.[59] On 13 January 2024, Reading's match against Port Vale was abandoned after home fans invaded the pitch to protest about Yongge's ownership of the club.[60][61] On 27 February 2024, Reading received their second EFL points deduction of the season, being docked two more points for failing to make HMRC payments within an 80-day limit. At the end of April 2024, the club finished the League One season in 17th position.[62] The ongoing financial difficulties caused the women's team to withdraw from the Women's Championship on 30 June.[63]

An attempted takeover by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig collapsed in September 2024,[64] a bid by former Reading chairman Roger Smee ended in December 2024,[65] and negotiations over another (unnamed) takeover bid expired in February 2025.[66] In late February 2025, local MP Yuan Yang backed a supporters' group petition calling for an inquiry into the club's governance since May 2012,[67][68] while the club entered into exclusive talks with another potential buyer.[69]

In March 2025, Yongge was given until 4 April 2025 to sell the club after the EFL disqualified him under its Owners' and Directors' Test.[70] The sale deadline was subsequently extended to 22 April 2025;[71][72] on that date, the club said it had agreed terms with a buyer, and the EFL extended its deadline to complete a deal to 5 May 2025.[73] On 3 May, it was announced that a sale in principle had been agreed with Couhig; the EFL deadline was initially extended into early May.[74][75]

On 14 May, Reading and the EFL confirmed that Redwood Holdings Limited had completed its takeover of the club.[76][77]

In March 2025, 12 months late, Reading finally submitted financial accounts for the 2022–23 relegation campaign, revealing a loss of over £20m. The late filing of accounts resulted in an EFL transfer embargo, which could be reinstated if Reading failed to publish their 2023–24 accounts by 31 March.[78] Accounts revealing a further loss of £12.1m were filed in May 2025 and the transfer embargo was lifted.[79]

Crest and colours

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Reading F.C. kits.
Reading F.C. crest (1987–96)
A change from 1965 to 1969 saw Reading wear sky blue.[80]

The Reading Coat of Arms was used as the crest of the club on early match day programs.[81] It is recognised as the first crest of the club. 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 elm trees and the rivers Thames and Kennet; this only lasted two seasons. From 1987 to 1996 the crest used the new kit colours of yellow, sky blue, royal blue and white.[80] A brief return to a design based on the 1981 crest was reintroduced for the 1996–97 and 1997–98 seasons. Commenting on the need for a new crest to coincide with the move to the Madejski Stadium, as well as moving into the new millennium, Sir John Madejski said: "I know some traditionalists will say we should keep the old badge but they should bear in mind the need to move forward."[82] The current crest was first seen on the kits for the 1998–99 season.[80] It is based on the club colours—blue and white—and includes a crown to represent the Royal County of Berkshire and the Maiwand Lion to represent Reading.[83]

The club's home kit for the 2022–23 season saw University of Reading's Ed Hawkins' stripe design included on the sleeves with the stripes representing the average temperature for a single year since Reading's foundation to raise awareness for climate change, the shirt itself being made of recycled plastic bottles.[84][85]

Stadium

[edit]
Main articles: Elm Park and Select Car Leasing 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 here in 1981.

In 1889, Reading were unable to continue playing at Coley Park as W B Monck (the local squire) no longer allowed football due to "rowdyism [by] the rougher elements".[86] With club membership exceeding 300 by the time the club went professional in 1895, Reading required a proper ground. A meeting the following year determined that funding would be difficult.[86] £20 was donated by J C Fidler, on the proviso that "no liquors were to be sold" on site.[86] The rest of the cost was financed through donations by wealthy supporters, as well as one large individual donation.[87] A former gravel pit in West Reading was identified as the site.[88] The first game at Elm Park was held on 5 September 1896 between Reading and A Roston Bourke's XI. The visitors were a scratch team from Holloway College.[89] £44 was taken on the gate, with an attendance of approximately 2,500.[87]

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".[89]

The Madejski Stadium has been Reading's home ground since 1998.

In 1994, the Taylor Report made an all-seater stadium compulsory in the top two divisions (the Premier League and the first division). Reading were champions of the second division in 1994, and were promoted to the first division. Reading became subject to the Taylor requirements, though converting Elm Park to an all-seater stadium would have been impractical.[89] Instead, a location in Smallmead (to the south of the town) was identified as the site for a new stadium.[89] The former council landfill site was bought for £1, with further conditions that the development of the stadium would include part-funding of the A33 relief road.[90] Expansion of the club's home would also allow alternative commercial ventures (particularly leisure facilities) and shared use with other teams (such as rugby union clubs Richmond and London Irish).[90] The last competitive match at Elm Park took place on 3 May 1998 against Norwich City, with Reading losing 1–0.[91] Reading began the 1998–99 season at the Madejski Stadium.[89] It was opened on 22 August 1998 when Luton Town were beaten 3–0.[92] The stadium cost more than £50 million to build.[93] For the first time in its 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,[94] to make a planning application to extend the ground to between 37,000 and 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.[95] On 24 May 2007, it was announced that planning permission had been granted to extend the stadium to a capacity of 36,900.[96]

On 5 July 2016, at the end of Eamonn Dolan's funeral, Reading announced that the North Stand would be renamed the Eamonn Dolan Stand.[97]

During the 2019–20 season Reading moved to a new training ground at Bearwood Golf Club to replace Hogwood Park, their previous training facility.[98] In March 2024, owner Dai Yongge agreed to sell the Bearwood Park training ground to Wycombe Wanderers, claiming it was necessary to fund the club's short-term future while trying to sell the club.[99]

In July 2021, at the beginning of the club's 150th anniversary season, it was announced that the Madejski Stadium had been rebranded as the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the next ten years. In honour of Sir John Madejski, the East Stand was renamed the Sir John Madejski Stand.[100]

Support

[edit]
See also: Supporters' Trust at Reading
Supporters at a Reading match at Elm Park in 1913

In 1930, the Reading Football Supporters’ Club (RFSC) was formed to represent the interests of supporters of the club and to assist in raising funds for the football club. On 18 March 2002, the Supporters' Trust at Reading become the official successor to the RFSC.

In 2001, Reading became the first football club to register their fans as an official member of their squad, giving the "player" registered with squad number 13 as 'Reading Fans'.[101][102]

For the 2015–16 season, Reading had 12,983 season ticket holders – ranked 10th in the Championship and almost identical to former league champions Leeds United. The figure for that season was greater than the 12,552 recorded in the previous season, but down from the 2013–14 Championship peak of 14,547.[103] The average attendance for the 2015–16 season was 17,570 – the 10th highest in the Championship.[104][105]

Rivalries

[edit]

Before going out of business in 1992, Aldershot were Reading's biggest rivals.[106][107] Aldershot were, geographically, the closest Football League club to Reading.[108] 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. Aldershot Town were promoted into the Football League in 2008, but the clubs haven't met in a competitive match since the demise of the original club. Aldershot were relegated out of the league in 2013, having entered administration, reducing the chances of a competitive meeting between the two sides in the near future.[109]

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".[110][111][112][113][114][115][116] However, the rivalry between Oxford and Swindon is stronger than between either of the two and Reading, largely due to them both spending their recent history in lower divisions than Reading, and spending their previous history in higher divisions than Reading.[117] In 2012, a small survey showed that Reading's main rivals were Aldershot Town, followed by Swindon Town and Oxford United.[118]

Sponsorship

[edit]
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1976–77 Umbro —
1977–81 Bukta
1981–82 —
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
2008–15 Waitrose[119]
2015–16 Carabao Daeng (home)[120]
Thai Airways (away)[121]
2016–19 Carabao Daeng[122]
2019–21 Macron[123] Casumo[124]
2021– Select Car Leasing[125][126]

Ownership and finances

[edit]

As of May 2025, The Reading Football Club Limited, incorporated on 11 August 1897, was:[127]

  • 100% owned by Redwood Holdings 1 Ltd

Players

[edit]
As of 17 October 2025[128]

First-team squad

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  POR Joel Pereira (vice-captain)
2 DF  GHA Kelvin Abrefa
3 DF  MSR Jeriel Dorsett
4 MF  CMR Ben Elliott
5 DF  ENG Matty Jacob (on loan from Hull City)
6 MF  CAN Liam Fraser
7 FW  ENG Jack Marriott
8 MF  WAL Charlie Savage
9 FW  ENG Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan
10 MF  ENG Lewis Wing (captain)
11 MF  GER Daniel Kyerewaa
12 DF  ENG Finley Burns (on loan from Manchester City)
14 MF  ZIM Tivonge Rushesha
15 DF  IRL Paudie O'Connor
17 DF  GHA Andy Yiadom
19 DF  ENG Andre Garcia
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW  IRL Mark O'Mahony (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
22 DF  ENG Michael Stickland
25 GK  ENG Jack Stevens
26 FW  MLT Basil Tuma
28 MF  GNB Mamadi Caba Camará
29 MF  ENG Kamari Doyle (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)
30 MF  SCO Matt Ritchie
31 GK  ENG Tom Norcott
32 MF  NIR Paddy Lane
33 DF  IRL Derrick Williams
36 DF  IRL John Ryan
39 DF  ENG Ashqar Ahmed
43 FW  ENG Jeremiah Okine-Peters
47 MF  ENG Shay Spencer
48 GK  ENG Matt Rowley

Out on loan

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  SLE Abraham Kanu (at Forest Green Rovers until end of season)

Under 21s and academy

[edit]
Main article: Reading F.C. Under-23s and Academy

The Reading Academy refers to the development teams of Reading Football Club. The club takes part in the Professional Development League system, with the Under-21s competing in the Premier League 2 – Division 2, and the Under-18s competing in the U18 Premier League – South Division.

As of 17 October 2025[129]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF  IRL John Clarke
34 FW  ENG Joe Barough
35 MF  ENG Carter Bowdery
37 MF  ENG Luke Howard
38 DF  GHA Philip Duah
40 MF  ENG Sam Harrison
41 GK  ENG Harrison Rhone
42 DF  ENG Boyd Beacroft
44 MF  ENG Tyler Sackey
No. Pos. Nation Player
45 FW  ENG Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith
46 MF  NZL Jacob Borgnis
49 DF  ENG Emmanuel Osho
50 FW  ENG Jerae Jones
51 GK  ENG Josh Welland
52 FW  GHA Dennis Bossman
55 FW  NIR Reece Evans
57 FW  IRL Sean Patton

Club officials and management

[edit]
Board of Directors & Senior Club Staff
Role Person
Chairman United States Rob Couhig
Director United States Todd Trosclair
Director United States Alec Lundberg
Director Israel Ross Kestin
Director United States Rick Catania
Property Projects Manager England Nigel Howe
Club Secretary England Sue Hewett
Chief Executive Officer Wales Joe Jacobson[130]
Financial Controller United States Crispin Boyce
Director of Recruitment Republic of Ireland Brian Carey
Coaching Staff
Role Person
Manager Vacant
Assistant Manager Scotland Scott Marshall
First Team Coach Antigua and Barbuda Mikele Leigertwood
Goalkeeping Coach England Robert Shay
Head Physiotherapist England Matt Hirons
Head of Sports Science Wales Josh Bowen
First Team Sport Scientist England Oliver Harrington
First Team Analyst England Alex Forsey
Kit Manager England Roberto Fung
Academy Management
Role Person
Academy Manager Barbados Michael Gilkes
Head of Academy Operations England Celeste Stevens
Head of Academy Sports Science & Medicine England Steve Cottrell

Managers

[edit]
Main article: List of Reading F.C. managers

Records and statistics

[edit]
Main article: List of Reading F.C. records and statistics

Records

[edit]

Notable players

[edit]

In 1999, Reading commissioned a poll of the supporters' 'Player of the Millennium' to determine the club's best ever player.[135]

Dates Name
Pos. Player
1 England Robin Friday
2 England Trevor Senior
3 England Steve Death
Trinidad and Tobago Shaka Hislop
5 England Phil Parkinson
6 England Alf Messer
7 Northern Ireland Jimmy Quinn
8 England Michael Gilkes
9 England Ronnie Blackman
10 England Martin Hicks

Appearances

[edit]

The following players have played more than 398 times for Reading, in all competitions.[136]

Pos. Player App.
1 England Martin Hicks 603
2 England Steve Death 537
3 England Dick Spiers 505
4 England Michael Gilkes 487
5 England Stuart Beavon 481
6 England Maurice Evans 459
7 England Steve Richardson 457
8 England Jimmy Wheeler 453
9 England Phil Parkinson 426
10 Wales Ady Williams 398

Goalscorers

[edit]

The following players have scored more than 85 times for Reading, in all competitions.[137]

Pos. Player Goals
1 England Trevor Senior 191
2 England Jimmy Wheeler 168
3 England Ronnie Blackman 167
4 England Tony MacPhee 104
5 England Tommy Tait 103
6 England Denis Allen 95
7 Northern Ireland Jimmy Quinn 94
8 England Douggie Webb 93
9 England Les Chappell 90
10 England Pat Earles 85

Goalkeeping

[edit]
  • Longest time without conceding a goal: Steve Death (1,103 minutes; 1978–79; former English league record)[139]

Other records

[edit]
The regular starting line-up of the 2005/06 Coca-Cola Championship winning team, who finished the season with a record 106 points.[140]

Reading hold 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[132] 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.[141] Reading finished champions of their division on both of these occasions.[132][142]

The club's largest win was a 10–2 victory over Crystal Palace on 4 September 1946 in the Football League Third Division South.[132] Reading's heaviest loss was an 18–0 defeat against Preston North End in the FA Cup 1st round on 27 January 1894.[132] Reading have lost the two highest-scoring matches in the history of the Premier League; Portsmouth 7–4 Reading on 29 September 2007, and Tottenham Hotspur 6–4 Reading on 29 December 2007, as well as losing the highest-scoring League Cup game, Reading 5–7 Arsenal on 30 October 2012.

The player with the most league appearances is Martin Hicks, with 500 from 1978 to 1991.[132] The most capped player to play for Reading is Chris Gunter, who has currently won 62 caps for Wales since being a Reading player since July 2012. The most league goals in total and in a season are held by Ronnie Blackman with 158 from 1947 to 1954 and 39 in 1951–52 respectively.[132] The player with the most league goals in a game is Arthur Bacon with six against Stoke City in 1930–31.[132] The first Reading-based player to play in the FIFA World Cup was Bobby Convey in 2006 with the United States.[132] The record time for a goalkeeper not conceding a goal is held by Steve Death at 1,103 minutes in 1978–79, which is a former English league record in itself.[143]

Reading's highest attendance at Elm Park was in 1927, when 33,042 spectators watched Reading defeat Brentford 1–0.[144] 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 £6.6 million 1899 Hoffenheim paid for Gylfi Sigurðsson on 31 August 2010.[132][145]

Gylfi Sigurðsson and Samúel Friðjónsson became the first players from the Reading academy to feature in a World Cup squad by being named by Iceland for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[146][147] Gylfi Sigurðsson went on to become the first academy graduate to score at the World Cup in Iceland's 2–1 defeat to Croatia on 26 June 2018, after becoming the first academy graduate to play in the World Cup with his appearance against Argentina on 16 June 2018.[148]

Captains (21st century)

[edit]
Dates Name
2000–2003 England Phil Parkinson
2003–2009 Scotland Graeme Murty
2009–2011 Iceland Ívar Ingimarsson
2011–2014 Jamaica Jobi McAnuff
2014–2015 Turkey Jem Karacan
2015–2019 Republic of Ireland Paul McShane
2019–2022 Jamaica Liam Moore
2022–2025 Ghana Andy Yiadom
2025– England Lewis Wing

Player of the season

[edit]
Main article: Reading F.C. Player of the Season

International players

[edit]
Main article: List of Reading F.C. internationals

Former players

[edit]
Main article: List of Reading F.C. players

Honours

[edit]
Further information: List of Reading F.C. records and statistics § Honours

League

Cup

Women's team

[edit]
Main article: Reading F.C. Women

In May 2006, Reading launched the Reading FC Women's team. They used to play in the FA Premier League Southern Division. From 2014, Reading FC Women played in the FA Women's Super League 2 until they won promotion to the FA Women's Super League 1 in 2015 after winning the league. In the 2017–18 season, they finished fourth in the Women's Super League – their highest league position to date.[149] The team currently plays at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.[150] It was announced Reading FC Women would switch to operating on a part-time basis ahead of the 2023–24 season.[151] On 30 June 2024, Reading FC Women withdrew from the Women's Championship due to financial difficulties, dropping to Tier 5 of the women's football pyramid.[152]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Reading F.C.

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Reading Football Club is a professional association football club based in Reading, Berkshire, England, founded in late 1871 as one of the country's oldest teams and a member of the Football League since 1920.[1][1] The club, nicknamed the Royals, plays home matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, a 24,161-capacity venue opened in 1998 to replace the historic Elm Park ground.[2][1] Reading's most notable achievements include winning the Football League Championship in 2005–06 with a record 106 points and promotion to the Premier League, where it competed for two seasons before relegation, and again securing the title in 2011–12.[3][3] Earlier successes encompass lower-division titles such as Division Three in 1985–86 (featuring a club-record 13 consecutive league wins to start the season) and multiple promotions in the 1990s under manager John Madejski's chairmanship, alongside reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in 1927 and 2015.[3] The club also lifted the Simod Cup in 1988, its sole major trophy outside league promotions.[3] In recent years, Reading has endured significant challenges stemming from financial mismanagement under Chinese owner Dai Yongge, who acquired the club in 2017 and presided over repeated breaches including late payments to creditors and HMRC, resulting in 18 points deducted across multiple seasons and consecutive relegations to EFL League One by 2023–24.[4][5] These issues culminated in an EFL-mandated sale, completed in summer 2025 to American businessman Rob Couhig, ending Yongge's tenure amid ongoing cost-cutting and fan protests over operational instability.[6] As of October 2025, the club sits mid-table in its third straight League One campaign, seeking stabilization post-takeover.[7]

History

Formation and early development (1871–1991)

Reading Football Club was formed on 25 December 1871 by Joseph Edward Sydenham, who organized a public meeting at the Bridge Street Rooms in Reading, Berkshire, during the Christmas period.[1] The club's inaugural match occurred on 21 February 1872, ending in a 0–0 draw against Reading School at the Reading Recreation Ground (now Kings Meadow).[8] Early organization involved meetings in locations such as the Gun Street Reading Room, with the first minute book entry dated 7 September 1876; by then, the club had played 45 friendly matches and established a 5-shilling annual subscription, practice sessions, and a dark blue and white kit.[9] The club initially competed in friendly matches and local competitions, entering the FA Cup for the first time in the 1877–78 season and winning the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup in 1879.[8] Grounds shifted frequently due to flooding and availability, from the Recreation Ground to the Reading Cricket Ground in 1877, Coley Park in 1882 amid Thames floods, and Caversham Cricket Ground in the 1890s.[1] Facing near-collapse in the 1880s from financial woes and internal splits, Reading revived under secretary Horace Walker, regaining the Berks & Bucks Cup in 1892 and reaching the FA Cup first round proper in 1894.[1] As founder members of the Southern League in 1894, the club turned professional the following year, separating from its amateur counterpart and building Elm Park stadium, which opened on 5 September 1896 with a 7–0 friendly win over Tottenham Hotspur.[1] In the Southern League, Reading spent 22 seasons (all but one in the top division), achieving mid-table consistency with occasional FA Cup progress, including hosting the last non-league FA Cup semi-final in 1900 at Elm Park.[1] They won the Southern League Division Two title in 1911 but endured challenges during World War I, suspending operations from 1914 to 1918.[1] Admitted to the Football League's new Third Division South in 1920, the club recorded its first league match as a 2–1 away win at Newport County on 28 August 1920.[10] Reading secured promotion to the Second Division by winning the Third Division South title in 1925–26, followed by an FA Cup semi-final appearance in 1926–27, where they lost 0–1 to Cardiff City before a record crowd of 33,042 at Elm Park in the quarter-final replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[1] Relegated from the Second Division in 1931 after five seasons, the club oscillated between the third and fourth tiers post-World War II, with financial strains and managerial changes hindering sustained progress.[1] Under manager Charlie Hurley, Reading earned promotion from the Fourth Division in 1975–76 via a third-place finish, only to suffer relegation again in 1980; Maurice Evans then led them to the 1978–79 Fourth Division title.[1] The 1980s featured flashes of promise amid instability, including a club-record 13 consecutive league wins at the start of the 1985–86 Third Division season under manager Ian Branfoot, though they finished fourth without promotion.[1] Persistent financial difficulties peaked in 1983, nearly causing extinction before a last-minute investor intervention, setting the stage for ongoing lower-division struggles by 1991.[1]

Ambition and ascent under Madejski (1991–2005)

In March 1991, local businessman John Madejski acquired a controlling interest in Reading F.C., injecting significant capital to stabilize the club and foster long-term growth after years of financial precariousness in the lower tiers.[11] Under his leadership, the club prioritized infrastructure and competitive elevation, with Madejski committing over £100 million personally during his tenure, enabling key developments like stadium relocation.[1] Mark McGhee was appointed player-manager shortly thereafter, blending tactical acumen with on-field presence to rebuild the squad.[1] The 1993–94 season marked the first major milestone, as Reading clinched the Division Two title with 75 points from 46 matches, securing promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1989.[3] This success stemmed from a disciplined defensive unit and prolific scoring, with striker Mick Gooding contributing key goals. The following campaign, 1994–95, saw Reading finish fourth in Division One but advance to the promotion playoff final, where they fell 4–3 after extra time to Bolton Wanderers at Wembley on 29 May 1995, denying elevation despite a valiant comeback from 3–0 down.[1] These near-misses highlighted emerging potential but also the fine margins of playoff contention, prompting further squad investments. Amid sustained second-tier competition, Reading suffered relegation in the 1997–98 season, finishing 23rd in Division One. Coinciding with this dip, the club relocated from the aging Elm Park to the purpose-built Madejski Stadium in August 1998, a 24,000-capacity venue financed through public-private partnerships and named in Madejski's honor, symbolizing renewed ambition despite initial on-pitch struggles and adjusted crowd dynamics.[1] Alan Pardew's appointment as manager in 1999 injected fresh momentum, emphasizing resilience and attacking flair, which culminated in the 2001–02 season's Division Two runners-up finish with 84 points, earning automatic promotion back to the second tier via a decisive late goal by Jamie Cureton against Brentford on 27 April 2002.[1][3] By 2003, Steve Coppell assumed managerial duties, stabilizing the side in the Championship with consistent mid-table finishes, including fourth place in 2002–03 that yielded playoff qualification but no further advancement.[1] Madejski's strategy—prioritizing youth development, selective recruitment, and facility upgrades—laid the groundwork for sustained competitiveness, evidenced by improved average attendances exceeding 15,000 post-stadium move and a progression from perennial lower-tier inhabitants to established second-division contenders by 2005.[1] This era transformed Reading from a modest outfit into one poised for top-flight contention, driven by pragmatic ownership rather than speculative spending.

Premier League entry and subsequent instability (2005–2013)

Reading achieved promotion to the Premier League for the first time in club history by winning the Football League Championship in the 2005–06 season, amassing a record 106 points from 33 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses.[12] The team secured mathematical promotion on 25 March 2006 with a 1–1 draw away at Leicester City and clinched the title on 1 April 2006 via a 5–0 home victory over Derby County.[13] Under manager Steve Coppell, Reading's defensive solidity—conceding just 32 goals—and attacking output from forwards Kevin Doyle (20 goals) and Dave Kitson (14 goals) drove the success, marking the culmination of steady investment in youth and recruitment during the Madejski ownership era.[12] In their debut Premier League campaign of 2006–07, Reading exceeded expectations by finishing eighth with 55 points from 16 wins, 7 draws, and 15 losses, earning praise for resilience despite a modest budget compared to established top-flight clubs.[14] Key contributions came from goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann's 12 clean sheets and goals from Doyle (6) and Bobby Convey (6), with the team notably defeating Manchester United 3–2 at Old Trafford in December 2006.[15] However, the 2007–08 season exposed vulnerabilities, as Reading were relegated on the final day despite a 4–0 win at Derby County, finishing 18th with 36 points from 10 wins, 6 draws, and 22 losses; Fulham's concurrent victory over Portsmouth sealed their fate.[16] [17] Coppell's tenure ended shortly after, with his resignation in May 2008 following the failure to adapt to the Premier League's increased physicality and depth, highlighting the challenges of sustaining elite-level performance without significant financial backing. Relegation precipitated on-field instability in the Championship from 2008 to 2012, characterized by inconsistent results, play-off heartbreaks, and managerial turnover amid pressure to regain Premier League status. Steve Clarke replaced Coppell in December 2009 but was sacked in January 2010 after a dismal run of one win in 13 games, leaving Reading mid-table. Brian McDermott's appointment in December 2010 stabilized the squad, leading to a fourth-place finish in 2010–11 and automatic promotion as 2011–12 champions with 89 points from 24 wins, 17 draws, and 7 losses; a pivotal 3–1 away win at Southampton on 13 April 2012 and an 81st-minute Mikele Leigertwood goal against Nottingham Forest on 17 April mathematically confirmed the title.[18] [19] The 2012–13 Premier League return proved short-lived, with Reading relegated after finishing 19th with 28 points from 6 wins, 10 draws, and 22 losses, unable to replicate prior defensive organization amid injuries and integration issues for new signings like Jason Roberts and Daniel Carriço.[20] McDermott departed in March 2013 following a 1–0 home loss to Aston Villa, replaced by Nigel Adkins, but the team won only three of their final 11 matches, confirming demotion on 28 April 2013 in a 0–0 draw with Queens Park Rangers. This yo-yo pattern underscored causal factors including limited transfer market power relative to Premier League peers, reliance on expiring contracts, and the absence of sustained revenue streams post-relegation, though ownership under John Madejski remained financially prudent without the later excesses seen in subsequent eras.[21]

Steady decline amid managerial turnover (2013–2023)

Following relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2012–13 season, Reading appointed Nigel Adkins as manager on 26 March 2013, who guided the team to a seventh-place finish in the Championship with 71 points during the 2013–14 campaign.[22][23] Adkins was dismissed on 16 December 2014 amid a winless run, having secured only three victories in the first 13 games of the 2014–15 season.[22] His successor, Steve Clarke, appointed on 16 December 2014, steadied the side to avoid relegation but ended the season in 19th place with 50 points.[22][23] Clarke departed on 4 December 2015 after a poor run, with caretaker Martin Kuhl overseeing just two matches before Brian McDermott's return on 19 December 2015; McDermott managed a 17th-place finish with 52 points in 2015–16.[22][23] The appointment of Jaap Stam on 13 June 2016 marked a brief upturn, as Reading achieved third place with a club-record 85 points in 2016–17, earning a play-off spot.[22][23] However, they lost the Championship play-off final 0–0 (4–3 on penalties) to Huddersfield Town at Wembley on 29 May 2017.[24] Stam's tenure deteriorated with only one league win in his final 18 matches, leading to his sacking on 21 March 2018; the team finished 20th with 44 points that season.[25][23] Paul Clement, appointed 23 March 2018, failed to halt the slide, departing on 6 December 2018 after a run of one win in 11 games, with caretaker Scott Marshall managing briefly.[22] José Gomes took over on 23 December 2018, delivering mid-table security with a 14th-place finish and 56 points in 2019–20, but he was sacked on 9 October 2019 following four defeats in five games.[22][23] Mark Bowen served as interim director of football with coaching duties from 14 October 2019 until 29 August 2020, when Veljko Paunović was appointed.[22] Paunović achieved seventh place with 70 points in 2020–21 but struggled in 2021–22, winning just five of 25 league games, leading to his dismissal on 20 February 2022; Reading ended 21st with 41 points.[23] Paul Ince, appointed 20 February 2022, initially stabilized the team but oversaw a dismal 2022–23 season, finishing 23rd with 44 points and relegation to League One on 4 May 2023.[22][23] Noel Hunt acted as caretaker from 11 April to 30 June 2023.[22] Over the decade, Reading cycled through at least 11 managers or interims, contributing to inconsistent playing styles, squad upheaval, and a gradual erosion from promotion challengers to relegation candidates, with league finishes trending downward from highs of third and seventh to repeated bottom-half struggles.[22][23]

Financial collapse, regulatory penalties, and takeover (2023–2025)

Reading Football Club's financial position deteriorated sharply in 2023, marked by persistent breaches of EFL profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), overdue payments to HMRC, and failure to secure required wage deposits, exacerbating cash flow shortages under owner Dai Yongge.[26] The club reported pre-tax losses of £21.7 million for the year ending June 2023, despite revenue growth, prompting further cost-cutting measures including redundancies and operational restrictions like transfer embargoes.[27] These issues stemmed from Yongge's reluctance or inability to inject additional funds, leading to multiple winding-up petitions and an independent disciplinary commission's findings of non-compliance with agreed business plans.[28] Fan protests intensified, with supporters invading the pitch in January 2024 to highlight the owner's absence and mismanagement, though such actions were condemned by the EFL as detrimental to the club's stability.[29] Regulatory penalties compounded the crisis, with the EFL imposing points deductions for financial irregularities. On September 13, 2023, Reading were deducted three points after triggering a suspended penalty for Yongge's failure to deposit 125% of the club's monthly wage bill into a designated account, bringing the season's total deductions to six and contributing to an overall tally of 18 points stripped since 2021 under his ownership.[30] Further, on February 27, 2024, an additional two points were deducted—plus two suspended—for repeated late HMRC payments in 2023, violating league payment protocols and underscoring ongoing liquidity problems.[5] Yongge personally faced a £20,000 fine in December 2023 for the wage deposit breach, though enforcement was complicated by his non-residence in the UK and separate financial troubles in China.[26] These sanctions directly hastened relegation risks and eroded competitive standing in League One, with the EFL emphasizing that such repeated violations reflected systemic governance failures rather than isolated errors.[31] The threat of EFL expulsion loomed in early 2025 as Yongge failed the Owners' and Directors' Test in March due to unresolved debts and disqualifications, prompting the league to mandate divestment by April 5 or face suspension.[32] Prior takeover bids, including at least five collapsed attempts amid disputes like a £10.3 million lawsuit from prospective buyer Rob Couhig over a failed £5 million loan, prolonged the uncertainty.[33] The EFL extended deadlines following progress reports, culminating in sale terms agreed on April 22, 2025, encompassing the Select Car Leasing Stadium and training ground.[34] On May 14, 2025, Redwood Holdings Limited—led by Couhig (former Wycombe Wanderers owner) and US investor Todd Trosclair—completed the acquisition after EFL approval, ending Yongge's tenure and providing immediate financial support to cover obligations.[35][36] This transition averted insolvency but inherited a club burdened by prior debts and penalties, with new owners signaling a focus on sustainable recruitment via free transfers over high-fee signings.[37]

Club Identity

Crest evolution and kit colours

Reading Football Club's earliest kits featured hoops upon formation in 1871, though specific colours are not definitively recorded in primary sources from that era.[38] By 1894, upon entry into the Southern League, the club adopted stripes to differentiate from other hooped teams, initially in dark blue and white until around 1938.[39] Royal blue and white hoops then became the standard home kit design before the Second World War, with numbering introduced in 1939 aiding visibility on the hooped pattern.[38] In the mid-1960s, following a trend set by Coventry City, Reading switched to plain sky blue shirts until 1969, when manager Jack Mansell reinstated hoops.[38] The mid-1980s saw a temporary shift to blue and white panels, but hoops returned in 1992 and have defined home kits since, with the royal blue and white combination symbolizing club identity across eras.[38] Variations in away kits have included yellow and blue nods to the 1980s Simod Cup period, but home designs consistently prioritize the hoops for tradition.[40] The club's crest originated from Reading's municipal coat of arms, featuring a shield with a seated queen flanked by four maidens—elements traceable to the town's seal from 1365 and documented variants from 1566—used on programmes and stationery into the 1960s.[41] The first badge on kits appeared in 1953 as a simple "R" monogram, worn for one season.[42] A 1965 sky blue crest with red and yellow accents emerged in pre-season imagery but saw minimal competitive use.[41] From 1981 to 1983, a new design depicted three elm trees referencing Elm Park stadium, overlaid with blue wavy lines symbolizing the Thames and Kennet rivers.[41] In 1987, amid a kit colour experiment incorporating yellow and sky blue alongside royal blue and white, a matching badge was introduced—attributed anecdotally to input from manager Ian Branfoot's daughter—and persisted until 1996, coinciding with successes like the Simod Cup win.[41] [42] A 1996 centenary badge for Elm Park revived elements of the 1981 design in a modernized form, used briefly on kits and programmes with an added banderole.[41] The current crest, adopted in 1998 with the relocation to Madejski Stadium, integrates royal blue and white, a Berkshire crown, and the Maiwand Lion from local heraldry, emphasizing regional ties over prior town arms derivatives.[41] [42] This design has endured, aligning with the club's stabilized identity post-venue change.[42]

Stadium history and facilities

Reading F.C. played its home matches at Elm Park from 1896 until 1998, marking over a century at the venue.[43] The stadium opened with the club's first game there on 5 September 1896.[43] By the late 1990s, capacity constraints and the need for modern facilities prompted relocation, as Elm Park's attendance was limited and lacked all-seater compliance with post-Hillsborough safety standards.[44] In 1998, the club moved to the newly constructed Madejski Stadium, named after chairman John Madejski, located adjacent to the M4 motorway in west Reading.[45] Renamed the Select Car Leasing Stadium in 2021 due to sponsorship, it is an all-seater bowl with a capacity of 24,161 seats.[2] [46] Construction cost approximately £50 million (€62 million equivalent).[2] The West Stand, the largest at 7,579 seats, is two-tiered and houses executive facilities, while the other stands provide covered seating with good sightlines.[47] Stadium facilities include hospitality suites, conference areas, and proximity to Reading Green Park railway station for access.[46] Plans to expand capacity to 36,900 seats were approved but shelved following the club's relegation and reduced attendances.[48] The club's training operations are based at Bearwood Park, a purpose-built complex opened in 2019, featuring 11 pitches including a first-team grass pitch with undersoil heating, hybrid natural turf pitches, and a 3G synthetic surface.[49] It serves as headquarters with player accommodation, rehabilitation areas, and sports science labs, spanning a multi-acre site five miles from the stadium.[50] [51] An additional indoor facility, the Forest Academy Air Dome with a FIFA-approved 3G pitch, supports year-round training six miles from the stadium.[52]

Supporter Base

Fan demographics, attendance trends, and culture

Reading F.C.'s supporter base is primarily drawn from the Reading borough and surrounding areas in Berkshire, with the club capturing under 10% of the local population when comparing average home attendances to the area's 174,000 residents per the 2021 census.[53] Demographic data remains limited, but fan surveys suggest a skew toward younger adults, with the 18-30 age group potentially comprising around 30% of attendees, while the support reflects the town's ethnic composition of approximately 75% white British as of the 2011 census.[54][55] The fanbase shows strong brand loyalty, with supporters three times more likely to purchase associated brands than the UK football average.[54] Average home league attendance has closely tracked the club's competitive fortunes, rising from around 6,000 in lower divisions pre-1990s to peaks exceeding 23,000 during the 2012–13 Championship season and similar levels in the 2006–08 Premier League campaigns amid promotion success.[56] Figures stabilized at 17,000–19,000 during mid-2010s Championship stays, such as 17,570 in 2015–16 and 19,219 in 2011–12, but declined with relegations and off-field instability. In recent League One seasons, averages hovered at 13,113 for 2023–24 (301,652 total over 23 home games) and 12,535 for 2024–25 (288,313 total), marking a 4.4% drop despite financial crises, with early 2025–26 figures around 12,760.[57][58] This resilience contrasts with broader trends, as the club's all-time average of about 10,550 places it mid-tier historically for English clubs.[59] Supporter culture emphasizes loyalty and community amid adversity, exemplified by the Supporters' Trust at Reading (STAR), an independent body advocating for fans during ownership turmoil, including funding player travel in 2025 when club finances faltered.[60][61] Organized fan initiatives include Club 1871, a standing section for dedicated supporters now requiring unaccompanied attendees to be at least 16 years old, and the Young Royals junior club fostering early engagement.[62] Chants reflect standard English football traditions, with staples like "We Love You Reading," "Reading Till I Die," and "Come On You Royals" sung to rally the crowd, often compiled in fan anthologies.[63] Recent efforts, such as the 2025 Royals Advisory Group, formalize fan input on club decisions, drawing from diverse supporter sections to bridge with management.[64] This culture of persistence has sustained turnout despite points deductions and administration threats, underscoring a base undeterred by prolonged instability.[65]

Rivalries and local derbies

Reading F.C. maintains several regional rivalries shaped by geographical proximity and historical encounters, though the club lacks a singular, intensely contested local derby akin to those in densely clustered football regions. The absence of nearby professional clubs at comparable league levels has historically diluted such competitions, with fan perceptions varying by generation and recent fixtures.[66][67] The most proximate historical rivalry is with Aldershot Town, situated about 20 miles south in Hampshire, where matches date to the mid-20th century in lower divisions and cup ties. Reading has dominated head-to-head records, securing 19 victories against Aldershot's 3 in league and cup encounters up to recent years, though the fixture's frequency declined after Aldershot's original club's liquidation in 1992 and subsequent reformation in non-league football.[68][69] Occasional cup meetings have sustained a minor antagonism among older supporters, but league disparities have rendered it peripheral.[68] The Thames Valley derby against Oxford United, approximately 25 miles north, has intensified in recent seasons, particularly following a failed 1983 merger proposal that heightened mutual distrust. The first league meeting in 23 years occurred in December 2023, ending in a draw, followed by a 1-1 stalemate at Oxford's Kassam Stadium on 3 February 2024, where Reading equalized late through a penalty.[70][71] These EFL League One clashes, absent since 2001 due to divisional separations, underscore a rivalry fueled by regional pride rather than consistent competition.[70] Further east, the M4 derby with Swindon Town—named for the motorway linking Reading and Swindon, 35 miles apart—represents another longstanding regional fixture, with competitive history in cups and lower leagues. Reading inflicted a 5-0 league victory over Swindon on 10 October 2023, but Swindon secured a 3-2 win in the EFL Trophy on 2 September 2025, their first against Reading since 2001 via a late free-kick.[72][73] This matchup evokes transport corridor-based antagonism, though irregular scheduling limits its fervor compared to more established derbies.[74] Wycombe Wanderers, from 25 miles east in Buckinghamshire, features in occasional "derby" classifications due to proximity and recent League One meetings, such as Reading's 2-1 away win on 25 November 2023 and a 2-2 draw on 23 August 2025. However, head-to-head data shows Reading with a slight edge (6 wins to Wycombe's 2 in 11 games since 2010), framing it as a functional local rivalry without deep historical enmity.[75][76][77]

Ownership and Governance

Key ownership transitions pre-2017

In 1990, amid a severe financial crisis that threatened the club's existence, British entrepreneur John Madejski (later knighted as Sir John) assumed chairmanship and effective ownership control of Reading F.C., injecting capital and stabilizing operations after years of instability in the lower tiers of English football.[78][1] His tenure, lasting over two decades, saw the club relocate from Elm Park to the new Madejski Stadium in 1998 and achieve promotions to higher divisions, including the Championship title in 2006 with a record 106 points.[79] On 29 May 2012, Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich, through his investment vehicle Thames Sports Investment, completed the acquisition of a 51% controlling stake from Madejski, marking the end of the latter's majority ownership shortly after Reading's promotion to the Premier League.[80] Zingarevich invested approximately £25 million during his roughly two-year tenure but faced challenges including relegation from the Premier League in 2013, leading him to announce the sale of his shares in May 2014.[81] In September 2014, a Thai consortium comprising Khunying Sasima Srivikorn (25%), Narin Niruttinanon (50%), and Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth (25%) finalized the takeover of the club from Zingarevich, with the deal approved by the Football League and aimed at providing fresh investment amid ongoing financial pressures.[82] This ownership group held control until 2017, during which Reading experienced mid-table Championship finishes but no major promotions or relegations.[83]

Dai Yongge's tenure: Financial breaches and operational failures

Dai Yongge, a Chinese businessman, assumed control of Reading FC in January 2017 through his company XinXiang Communication, acquiring a majority stake alongside his sister Dai Xiu Li.[84] Under his ownership, the club accrued significant financial losses and repeatedly violated English Football League (EFL) regulations, resulting in cumulative points deductions totaling 18 over three seasons, alongside personal fines levied against Yongge for misconduct.[28] These breaches stemmed primarily from inadequate funding commitments, delayed payments to players and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and failure to maintain required escrow deposits for wages, exacerbating operational instability including wage arrears and stalled administrative compliance.[85] The initial major infraction occurred in August 2021, when an independent EFL disciplinary commission imposed a 6-point deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules, as the club reported losses of £57.8 million from 2017 to 2021, surpassing the three-year assessment period limit of £39 million.[86] This penalty reflected excessive spending on transfers and wages without corresponding revenue growth, with EFL regulations requiring owners to underwrite losses up to specified thresholds, a commitment Yongge allegedly failed to honor fully despite personal guarantees.[84] Subsequent operational lapses intensified in 2023, with Reading charged in June for multiple late player wage payments dating back to October 2022, March 2023, and April 2023; Yongge was personally charged with causing these breaches through insufficient funding.[87] Further penalties followed rapidly: in August 2023, Reading received a 1-point deduction and Yongge a £10,000 fine for delayed wages, with the club admitting the regulatory violation.[88] September 2023 brought a 3-point deduction after Yongge failed to deposit sufficient funds into an EFL-mandated escrow account covering 125% of the monthly wage bill, a measure imposed to prevent payment defaults; this marked the second such infraction in quick succession, bringing season-to-date deductions to 4 points.[89] By December 2023, an EFL commission fined Yongge £20,000 immediately, with a suspended £50,000 penalty, for repeated escrow non-compliance, citing his "lack of regard" for directives despite prior warnings.[26] These failures contributed to operational disruptions, including player unrest and the club's inability to retain talent amid chronic cashflow shortages. In February 2024, Reading suffered an additional 2-point deduction (with 2 more suspended) for breaching EFL Rule 14.9 by not settling an HMRC tax debt within the mandatory 80-day window, a penalty sought by the league to enforce fiscal discipline on persistently non-compliant clubs; Yongge faced a concurrent £100,000 fine for his role in the lapses.[5] The EFL publicly criticized Yongge's "clear disregard for his obligations," highlighting systemic underfunding that risked the club's viability and prompted demands for asset sales or divestment.[85] Operational shortcomings extended to administrative delays, such as late submission of annual accounts in 2024, incurring prospective fines around £150,000 and underscoring governance breakdowns.[90] By March 2025, Yongge failed the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test due to unresolved debts enforced by Chinese courts, further evidencing personal financial constraints impeding club stability.[33] These cumulative issues culminated in Reading's relegation to League One in 2023—their first descent to the third tier in 21 years—and heightened expulsion risks, directly attributable to Yongge's tenure.[79]

2025 takeover by Redwood Holdings and early impacts

On May 3, 2025, Reading Football Club announced an agreement in principle for its sale to Redwood Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Dogwood LLC owned by American investors Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair, encompassing 100% of the club's shareholding along with the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park training ground.[91] [35] The transaction, which followed prolonged financial distress under previous owner Dai Yongge—including multiple EFL points deductions for breaches of profitability and sustainability rules, late wage payments, and an aborted HMRC winding-up petition—received final clearance from the English Football League on May 14, 2025, marking the completion of the takeover early that morning.[92] [36] Couhig, who previously owned Wycombe Wanderers from 2020 to 2024, was appointed chairman, with both he and Trosclair joining the board immediately to oversee operations.[35] [93] The takeover provided immediate financial stabilization, as Redwood Holdings committed to covering the club's ongoing obligations during the transition, averting risks of further sanctions or administration that had loomed under Yongge's tenure, which saw the owner disqualified by the EFL in 2024 for governance failures.[34] [94] New ownership statements emphasized a long-term vision of sustainable growth, with Couhig urging fans to focus on future prospects rather than past disruptions and pledging to restore the club's competitive standing in League One.[95] [96] In the ensuing months, early operational impacts included a board-level emphasis on prudent recruitment, as articulated by Trosclair in August 2025, who stressed the need for patience in selecting players to align with financial discipline amid the club's ongoing League One campaign.[97] By October 2025, Couhig hosted a supporter Q&A session, signaling efforts to rebuild trust with the fanbase through direct engagement, though no major squad overhauls or infrastructure investments were publicly detailed beyond stabilization measures.[98] Independent assessments four months post-takeover noted approval for the shift away from Yongge-era instability but cautioned that tangible on-pitch progress would require time given inherited debts and EFL oversight.[99]

Commercial Operations

Sponsorship deals and partnerships

Select Car Leasing serves as Reading F.C.'s principal partner, appearing as the front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2025–26 season.[100] Macron has been the club's official kit supplier since the 2019–20 season, providing matchday and training apparel.[101] In August 2025, Reading F.C. announced a two-year agreement with PricedUp, designating it as the official betting partner, which includes branding on digital platforms and matchday assets.[102] Village Hotels joined as the official hotel partner in July 2025, marking one of the first commercial deals under the new ownership structure, with visibility on training kits and stadium perimeter boards.[100] [103] CRL Fire and Flood Damage Ltd extended its official partnership for the 2025–26 campaign in July 2025, focusing on back-of-shirt and training ground exposure.[104] Citizen Watch acts as the official timekeeper, providing timing services and branding at Select Car Leasing Stadium.[100] In October 2025, a retail partnership with John Lewis & Partners Reading was established, enabling the club to operate a dedicated merchandise store in the city centre.[105] The club also maintains player sponsorship opportunities for supporters and local businesses, with packages for the 2025–26 season launched in September 2025, covering individual player branding on matchday programmes and digital channels.[106] These deals reflect efforts to diversify commercial revenue amid prior financial constraints, though detailed financial terms remain undisclosed in public announcements.[107]

Revenue sources beyond matchday

Reading F.C.'s revenue streams excluding matchday income primarily comprise broadcasting distributions from the English Football League (EFL) and commercial activities such as merchandising and licensing. Broadcasting revenue originates from EFL central funds, including basic awards, merit payments based on league position, facility fees for televised fixtures via Sky Sports, and solidarity payments from higher-tier television deals. These payments vary significantly by division, with Championship clubs receiving substantially more than those in League One.[84][108] In the 2021/22 Championship season, broadcasting income totaled £8.4 million, reflecting EFL allocations amid post-COVID recovery. This rose to £9.4 million in 2022/23, buoyed by higher merit and broadcast exposure, before plummeting to £2.7 million in 2023/24 after relegation to League One, where reduced central distributions and fewer televised games limit inflows.[84][108][109] Commercial revenue, which includes sales of kits, apparel, and memorabilia via club shops and online channels, as well as licensing deals and non-sponsorship partnerships, generated £4.8 million in 2021/22, driven by lifted COVID restrictions enabling fuller stadium utilization for ancillary events. Figures dipped slightly to £4.3 million in 2022/23 and further to £3 million in 2023/24, correlating with lower league status and operational constraints under prior ownership, including points deductions and administrative disruptions that hampered marketing efforts.[84][108][109] These sources have historically accounted for over 70% of Reading's total revenue in recent Championship years but contracted post-relegation, exacerbating financial losses reported at £12.1 million for 2023/24. The club's May 2025 acquisition by Redwood Holdings, led by Rob Couhig, introduces potential for commercial expansion through refreshed merchandising lines and stadium-based events, though quantifiable impacts remain pending as of the 2024/25 season.[110][92]

Squad and Development

Current senior squad composition

As of October 2025, Reading F.C.'s senior squad for the 2025–26 League One season features a blend of seasoned professionals, loan arrivals, and academy products, totaling approximately 25–30 registered and exempt players under EFL rules, which limit over-21 outfield players to 22 while allowing unlimited under-21 inclusions.[111][112] Goalkeepers are exempt from the numerical cap. Key veterans include captain Andy Yiadom and forward Jack Marriott, alongside younger contributors like Ben Elliott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. Recent adjustments include the recall of goalkeeper Tom Norcott from Woking on 15 October 2025.[113] The squad composition by position is detailed below, based on official registrations and market data.

Goalkeepers

No.PlayerAge
1Joel Pereira29
25Jack Stevens28
31Tom Norcott20

Defenders

No.PlayerAgePosition
2Kelvin Abrefa21Right-Back
3Jeriel Dorsett23Centre-Back
5Matty Jacob24Left-Back
12Finley Burns22Centre-Back
17Andy Yiadom33Right-Back
19Andre Garcia17Left-Back
22Michael Stickland21Centre-Back
33Derrick Williams32Centre-Back
-Paudie O'Connor28Centre-Back

Midfielders

No.PlayerAgePosition
4Ben Elliott22Central Midfield
6Liam Fraser27Defensive Mid
8Charlie Savage22Central Midfield
10Lewis Wing30Central Midfield
11Daniel Kyerewaa24Attacking Mid
14Tivonge Rushesha23Defensive Mid
28Mamadi Camara21Attacking Mid
29Kamari Doyle20Attacking Mid
30Matt Ritchie36Right Midfield

Forwards

No.PlayerAgePosition
7Jack Marriott31Centre-Forward
9Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan22Left Winger
20Mark O'Mahony20Centre-Forward
26Basil Tuma20Centre-Forward
32Paddy Lane24Right Winger
This lineup emphasizes defensive solidity with multiple centre-backs and versatile full-backs, supported by a central midfield core experienced in EFL competitions.[112] Forward options rely on prolific scorer Marriott and emerging wing threats, though depth in attack remains tested by injuries and loans.[111]

Loaned-out players and transfers

In the 2025/26 season, Reading F.C. loaned out defender Abraham Kanu to Forest Green Rovers on a season-long deal commencing 24 July 2025, with the agreement set to conclude on 31 May 2026.[114][115] Kanu, a 20-year-old Sierra Leonean-English centre-back, had previously featured sparingly for Reading's first team, prompting the move to gain League Two experience. Goalkeeper Tom Norcott, aged 20, was initially loaned to Woking on 1 August 2025 for competitive minutes in the National League, but returned to Reading on 15 October 2025 after limited appearances.[116] Reading's transfer activity in the summer 2025 window emphasized youth development and squad refreshment amid financial constraints post-ownership change. Key permanent departures included centre-back Tyler Bindon to Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, reflecting the New Zealander's rising value after 62 appearances for the Royals.[117] Attacking midfielder Harvey Knibbs transferred to Charlton Athletic, while goalkeeper David Button moved to Ipswich Town, contributing to a net departure tally of 14 players and €2.10 million in fees received.[117] Incoming transfers totaled 18 players, predominantly free agents and loans to minimize expenditure at €288,000. Notable permanent signings comprised winger Paddy Lane from Portsmouth on 31 July 2025 and midfielder Liam Fraser from Crawley Town on 23 July 2025, both free transfers aimed at bolstering midfield depth.[116][118] Loan arrivals included left-back Matty Jacob from Hull City on 4 July 2025, centre-back Finley Burns from Manchester City on 7 July 2025, forward Mark O'Mahony from Brighton & Hove Albion on 7 July 2025, and midfielder Kamari Doyle from Brighton on 4 August 2025, all season-long deals to inject Premier League/Championship talent into the League One squad.[119][120][121][122]
CategoryPlayerPositionFrom/ToTypeDate
OutTyler BindonCentre-BackNottingham ForestPermanentSummer 2025[117]
OutHarvey KnibbsAttacking MidfieldCharlton AthleticPermanentSummer 2025[117]
OutDavid ButtonGoalkeeperIpswich TownPermanentSummer 2025[117]
InPaddy LaneWingerPortsmouthFree31 Jul 2025[116]
InLiam FraserMidfielderCrawley TownFree23 Jul 2025[116]
InFinley BurnsCentre-BackManchester CityLoan7 Jul 2025[120]

Academy system and youth pipeline

Reading F.C.'s academy operates within the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) framework established by the Premier League in 2012 to enhance youth development standards across English football clubs. The club secured Category One status in 2013, enabling access to higher funding levels, expanded scouting networks, and full-time professional coaching for players from under-9 to under-21 age groups. However, following disruptions from COVID-19 and delays in transitioning to a new training facility at Bearwood Park, the academy was downgraded to Category Two status for the 2022-23 season, reducing annual funding from approximately £2.5 million to £1.25 million and limiting certain elite development resources.[123][124][125] The youth pipeline emphasizes a progression from foundation phase (under-9 to under-11), youth development phase (under-12 to under-16), and professional development phase (under-17 to under-21), with integrated education programs combining football training and academic qualifications. Under-18 teams compete in the Youth Alliance League, while under-21 sides participate in Premier League 2, serving as a critical bridge to senior squad integration through loans, cup appearances, and first-team training sessions. The academy does not conduct open trials but invites promising players for evaluation periods of up to eight weeks based on scout recommendations or partnerships with local clubs.[126][127] Historically, the academy has produced over 80 first-team debutants since the early 2000s, with a peak output in the late 2000s yielding talents such as Gylfi Sigurðsson (51 appearances, 23 goals for Reading before transferring to Tottenham Hotspur in 2010) and Hal Robson-Kanu, who later scored for Wales at UEFA Euro 2016. Other notable graduates include Shane Long (sold to West Bromwich Albion for £4.25 million in 2011), Alex McCarthy, and Michael Hector, contributing to transfer revenues exceeding £50 million from academy sales between 2010 and 2020. In the 2020-21 season alone, 16 academy products featured in senior matches, including Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre, and Luke Southwood, highlighting the pipeline's role amid first-team squad constraints.[128][129][130] Recent challenges, including the club's financial instability post-2017 ownership changes, have strained the pipeline, yet graduates like Michael Olise (transferred to Crystal Palace in 2021 before a £38 million move to Bayern Munich in 2024) and Omar Richards demonstrate ongoing potential for high-value exports. The academy maintains host family programs in areas like Woodley and Earley to support player welfare, fostering long-term retention from pre-academy entry at age six or seven.[131][132][133]

Coaching Structure

Managerial history and tenures

Reading F.C. formalized the managerial position in the early 20th century, though early appointees exerted limited control over team selection, which was primarily handled by the board until Joe Smith's tenure beginning in 1931.[134] The club has appointed 30 permanent managers since James Sharp's brief spell in 1901–1902, with tenures varying from short interim-like periods to extended stays exceeding five years.[134] [22] Notable early managers included Harry Matthews, who served from 1902 to 1920 amid the club's amateur-to-professional transition, and Ted Drake, whose 1947–1952 tenure delivered promotion to the First Division in 1949–50.[134] [22] Postwar stability gave way to frequent changes in the 1970s–1980s, exemplified by Charlie Hurley's seven-year stint from 1972 to 1977 and Maurice Evans' near-seven years until 1984.[134] The modern era saw longer tenures tied to promotions, such as Alan Pardew's four years from 1999 to 2003, which included elevation to the Championship, and Steve Coppell's successful 2003–2009 period that culminated in Premier League promotion in 2006.[134] [135] Recent years have featured instability, with seven managers since 2016, including Jaap Stam (2016–2018), Veljko Paunović (2020–2022), and the current incumbent Noel Hunt, appointed on December 6, 2024, on a contract until June 30, 2027.[134] [135] [22]
ManagerTenureWin-Draw-Loss Record
James Sharp1901–1902Not recorded
Harry Matthews1902–1920Not recorded
Harry MarshallFeb 1920–Dec 19206–2–11
Jack SmithDec 1920–May 192220–15–30
Arthur ChadwickJan 1923–Oct 192538–28–46
Harold BrayOct 1925–Jun 192620–10–8
Angus WylieJul 1926–Jun 193175–52–102
Joe SmithJun 1931–Aug 193592–49–43
Billy ButlerAug 1935–Mar 193981–38–48
Johnny CochraneMar–Apr 19394–2–4
Joe EdelstonApr 1939–Jun 194721–14–20
Ted DrakeJun 1947–Jun 1952114–46–74
Arthur SmithJun 1952–Oct 195559–38–67
Harry JohnstonNov 1955–Jan 1963143–76–137
Roy BentleyJan 1963–Feb 1969136–79–107
Jack MansellApr 1969–Oct 197149–28–53
Charlie HurleyJan 1972–Feb 1977108–82–94
Maurice EvansFeb 1977–Jan 1984133–93–108
Ian BranfootJan 1984–Oct 1989116–79–100
Ian PorterfieldNov 1989–Apr 199170–27–22
Mark McGheeMay 1991–Dec 199453–41–41
Jimmy Quinn & Mick GoodingJan 1995–May 199746–34–47
Terry BullivantJun 1997–Mar 199815–14–21
Tommy BurnsMar 1998–Sep 199920–18–30
Alan PardewSep 1999–Sep 2003104–52–60
Steve CoppellOct 2003–May 2009126–66–90
Brendan RodgersJun–Dec 20096–6–11
Brian McDermottDec 2009–Mar 201370–41–41
Nigel AdkinsMar 2013–Dec 201429–20–31
Steve ClarkeDec 2014–Dec 201519–14–20
Brian McDermott (2nd)Dec 2015–May 20169–8–13
Jaap StamJun 2016–Mar 201840–23–35
Paul ClementMar–Dec 20187–8–15
José GomesDec 2018–Oct 20199–14–15
Mark BowenOct 2019–Aug 202014–12–14
Veljko PaunovićAug 2020–Feb 202229–18–36
Paul InceFeb 2022–Apr 202318–11–29
Rubén SellésJul 2023–Dec 202435–14–29
Noel HuntDec 2024–present12–9–10 (as of late 2024)
Records reflect all competitions during permanent tenures; early data may be incomplete due to varying documentation.[134] [135] [22]

Administrative officials and backroom staff

Following the completion of the takeover by Redwood Holdings Limited on May 14, 2025, Robert Emmet Couhig Jr. serves as chairman of Reading F.C., with Todd Trosclair as a key director representing the ownership group.[136][35] Alec Lundberg and Crispin John Boyce were appointed as directors on May 14, 2025, and July 1, 2025, respectively.[137] Ross Kestin, CEO of Aliya Capital Partners, joined the board on June 26, 2025, following EFL approval, bringing financial expertise to support club operations.[138] Rick Catania, president of HC Sports Ventures, was added on September 10, 2025, after acquiring a minority stake via Dogwood Football LLC and receiving EFL clearance, contributing business acumen from his background in ranching and investments.[139] The backroom staff supporting head coach Noel Hunt includes assistant managers Mikele Leigertwood and Scott Marshall, with Leigertwood joining in December 2024 and Marshall returning on July 11, 2025, to aid tactical preparation and player development.[140][141] First-team coaches Nigel Gibbs, appointed December 2024 for his experience including a Premier League title with Chelsea, and John O'Shea, who rejoined on June 5, 2025, after retiring as a player, focus on technical training and defensive organization.[140][142] Rob Shay was named head of goalkeeping on June 12, 2025, overseeing specialist training for the department.[143] Brian Carey holds the role of director of professional football, managing scouting and recruitment integration.[144] These appointments reflect post-takeover efforts to stabilize and enhance the coaching infrastructure amid League One competition.[35]

Performance Records

Domestic honours and league achievements

Reading F.C. has secured six league titles across English football's lower divisions, with promotions from the second tier achieved twice via championship wins. The club's most notable league success occurred in the 2005–06 Championship season, where they amassed a record 106 points, scored 99 goals, and lost only twice, securing promotion to the Premier League.[12] They repeated this feat in the 2011–12 Championship, clinching the title and another promotion.[145] In lower tiers, Reading won the Football League Fourth Division in 1978–79, the Third Division in 1985–86 with 13 consecutive opening wins, the renamed Second Division (third tier) in 1993–94, and earlier the Third Division South in 1926–27.[146][147] These victories marked consistent rises through the leagues, though the club has experienced multiple relegations, including from the Premier League in 2007–08 and 2012–13. Their highest Premier League finish was eighth place in 2006–07.[145] The club's sole major domestic cup honour is the Full Members' Cup, won in 1987–88 after defeating Luton Town 4–1 in the Wembley final; this remains one of only two such triumphs by a second-tier side.[148] Reading has not won the FA Cup or EFL Cup, with best runs to the semi-finals in the former (1927 and 1994) and quarter-finals in the latter (1996 and 1998).[149]
SeasonCompetitionAchievement
1926–27Football League Third Division SouthChampions
1978–79Football League Fourth DivisionChampions
1985–86Football League Third DivisionChampions
1987–88Full Members' CupWinners
1993–94Football League Second DivisionChampions
2005–06Football League ChampionshipChampions (106 pts)
2011–12Football League ChampionshipChampions

Individual and team statistical records

Reading F.C. holds the record for the highest points total in a Championship season with 106 points achieved in 2005–06, comprising 31 wins, 13 draws, and 2 defeats, while scoring 99 goals and conceding 32.[147] The club also recorded 13 consecutive league wins at the start of the 1985–86 Third Division season under manager Ian Branfoot, securing promotion as champions.[147] Additionally, Reading maintained a clean sheet for 1,103 minutes across 11 matches spanning the 1978–79 and 1979–80 seasons in Division Four, led by goalkeeper Steve Death, contributing to the 1978–79 title win.[147] The largest home attendance was 33,042 for a match against Brentford at Elm Park stadium.[150] The biggest league victory stands at 10–2 over Crystal Palace on 4 September 1946 in Division Three South, while the heaviest defeat was an 0–18 loss to Preston North End in the FA Cup first round on 27 January 1894.[3]
CompetitionRecordDetails
Biggest league win10–2vs. Crystal Palace, 4 September 1946, Division Three South[3]
Heaviest league defeat0–18vs. Preston North End, 27 January 1894, FA Cup[3]
Best FA Cup win6–0vs. Leyton, 12 December 1925, second round[3]
Individual records include Martin Hicks holding the all-time appearance mark with 603 matches from 1979 to 1991.[3] Trevor Senior is the club's leading goalscorer with 191 goals in league and cup competitions.[3] Ronnie Blackman scored the most league goals in a single season with 39 during 1951–52 in Division Three South.[3] The youngest player to appear was Peter Castle at 16 years and 49 days old against Watford in the Premier League on 30 April 2003.[3]
RankPlayerAppearances (League + Cup)
1Martin Hicks603[3]
2Steve Death537[3]
3Dick Spiers505[3]
4Michael Gilkes487[3]
5Stuart Beavon481[3]
6Maurice Evans459[3]
7Steve Richardson457[3]
8Jimmy Wheeler453[3]
9Phil Parkinson382[3]
10Denis Allen377[3]
RankPlayerGoals (League + Cup)
1Trevor Senior191[3]
2Jimmy Wheeler168[3]
3Ron Blackman167[3]
4Tony MacPhee104[3]
5Tommy Tait103[3]
6Denis Allen95[3]
7Jimmy Quinn94[3]
8Douggie Webb93[3]
9Les Chappell90[3]
10Pat Earles85[3]

Notable players by appearances and goals

Martin Hicks holds the club record for the most competitive appearances, totaling 603 between 1979 and 1991, primarily as a defender who contributed to promotions and stabilizations in lower divisions.[3] Other long-serving players include goalkeeper Steve Death with 537 appearances from 1968 to 1982, known for his reliability during periods of mid-table consistency in the third and fourth tiers, and Dick Spiers with 505 appearances spanning 1964 to 1977 as a versatile utility player.[3]
PlayerAppearancesYears Active
Martin Hicks6031979–1991
Steve Death5371968–1982
Dick Spiers5051964–1977
Michael Gilkes4871968–1981
Stuart Beavon4811971–1981
[3] Trevor Senior is Reading's leading goalscorer in league and cup competitions with 191 goals across two spells from 1983–1987 and 1988–1992, including a club-record 41 goals in the 1983–84 season that propelled promotion from the Fourth Division.[3] Ronnie Blackman recorded the most league goals specifically, with 158 between 1947 and 1954, peaking at 39 in the 1951–52 Third Division South campaign amid post-war rebuilding efforts.[3] In the modern era, players like Kevin Doyle amassed 91 goals from 2003 to 2009 and 2012, contributing significantly to the 2005–06 Championship title win with 106 points, the highest in that league's history.[3]
PlayerGoalsYears Active (Key Spells)
Trevor Senior1911983–1987, 1988–1992
Ronnie Blackman158 (league)1947–1954
Kevin Doyle912003–2009, 2012
[3]

Goalkeeping and defensive metrics

Reading F.C.'s goalkeeping records are dominated by Steve Death, who made 537 appearances for the club between 1969 and 1982, the highest total for any goalkeeper in its history.[3] Death's tenure included exceptional defensive sequences, notably in the 1978–79 Fourth Division season, where he set a club record of 1,103 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal from 7 October to 27 December 1978, spanning 12 matches.[147] This achievement, the longest such streak in Football League history at the time, contributed to 11 consecutive clean sheets, a defensive benchmark unmatched by the club since.[151] The club's strongest defensive campaign came in the 2005–06 Championship season under Steve Coppell, where Reading conceded just 32 goals across 46 league matches while securing promotion with a record 106 points.[147] Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann played 45 of those games, anchoring a backline that lost only twice and limited opponents to an average of under 0.7 goals per match. In the subsequent 2006–07 Premier League debut, the defense held firm initially, conceding 41 goals overall for an eighth-place finish, with Hahnemann again pivotal in 35 appearances despite the step-up in competition quality.[152] Later eras saw variability; for instance, the 2017–18 Championship side under Jaap Stam and Paul Clement conceded 53 goals, with Vito Mannone's 13 Premier League outings from prior loans highlighting transitional instability (23 goals conceded in limited play).[153] Recent League One struggles, such as the 2022–23 season's 33 goals conceded by mid-campaign, underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining clean sheets, with Joel Pereira and others rotating amid squad flux.[154] Overall, Reading's defensive metrics peak in promotion pushes, correlating with stable goalkeeper tenures and low goals-against averages below 1.0 per game in title-winning years.[155]

Reading F.C. Women

Formation and league participation

Reading F.C. Women was established in May 2006, when the club launched its own independent women's team following the termination of a long-standing affiliation with Reading Royals L.F.C., which had begun in 1988 under the club's earlier identity as Twyford Comets.[156] [157] This move came after several years of planning, marking Reading F.C.'s direct entry into women's football operations. The team debuted in the Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division for the 2006–07 season, securing promotion by winning the title in their inaugural campaign.[156] The squad advanced through the FA Women's pyramid, reaching the FA Women's Premier League National Division by 2011 after claiming the Southern Division championship.[157] In 2014, Reading gained entry into the newly formed FA Women's Super League 2 (WSL 2), the second tier of professional women's football in England. Success followed swiftly, with victory in the 2015 WSL 2 season earning promotion to the top-flight FA Women's Super League (WSL 1), where they competed from 2016 to 2023.[158] During this period, the team established itself as a consistent mid-table presence, though without major silverware. Relegation from the WSL occurred at the end of the 2022–23 season after finishing bottom with 10 points from 22 matches.[159] In the Women's Championship (tier 2) for 2023–24, financial pressures stemming from the parent club's administration and ownership issues under Dai Yongge forced a withdrawal announcement on 30 June 2024, ahead of the 2024–25 campaign.[160] [161] The team opted for voluntary placement in the fifth tier of the women's pyramid, specifically a regional premier division, to sustain operations amid funding shortfalls.[162] The 2024–25 season in this lower tier yielded positive results, enabling continuity into 2025–26 under new head coach Ed Jackson-Norris, appointed on 4 July 2025, with the squad competing in equivalent regional leagues while rebuilding post-takeover stabilization of the men's club.[163] [164]

Key achievements and challenges

Reading F.C. Women secured promotion to the FA Women's Super League (WSL) in 2015 after winning the FA Women's Championship, marking a significant milestone in their ascent through the English women's football pyramid.[165] Their highest league position came in the 2017 WSL season, finishing fourth behind Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal, which qualified them for the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round for the first time.[165] The team also reached the semi-finals of the Women's FA Cup in 2019, defeating Liverpool in the quarter-finals before losing to Manchester City, highlighting their competitive edge during the WSL's early professionalization phase.[166] Despite these successes, the club encountered mounting challenges, culminating in relegation from the WSL at the end of the 2022–23 season after finishing bottom with 13 points from 22 matches, five points adrift of safety.[167] This drop was exacerbated by the broader financial instability at Reading F.C., where owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li faced regulatory sanctions and the men's team entered administration, leading to severe budget cuts across operations.[168] In response, the women's team transitioned to part-time contracts post-relegation, contributing to a player exodus that depleted the squad's depth and experience.[165] Financial pressures intensified, prompting Reading to withdraw from the FA Women's Championship before the 2024–25 season, citing an "unsustainable model," and relocate to the fifth-tier Southern Region Women's Premier Division under the club's community trust.[168] The move also involved the closure of the women's academy, further limiting talent development pathways.[169] In their debut lower-tier campaign, the Royals finished eighth in a 10-team league with a record of survival amid ongoing constraints, including narrow defeats like a 3–2 loss in key matches, which supporters viewed as a relative success given the prior instability.[163] These events underscore vulnerabilities in women's football structures tied to parent club finances, with Reading's case illustrating how ownership mismanagement can cascade across genders despite independent sporting merits.[166]

Integration with men's club operations

Reading F.C. Women's team has shared the club's primary training facilities at Bearwood Park with the men's first team, under-23s, under-18s, and academy squads since relocating there in 2019, enabling coordinated use of pitches, gymnasiums, and recovery amenities for both senior squads.[170] This alignment facilitated operational efficiencies, such as joint access to performance analysis tools and pitch scheduling, though training sessions were typically segregated by gender and level to accommodate differing schedules and development needs.[171] Administrative oversight for the women's team falls under the broader Reading F.C. structure, with decisions on budgeting, contracts, and league participation influenced by the club's overall financial health, which has been dominated by men's team operations and ownership issues under Dai Yongge since 2017.[168] The women's switch to a part-time model in June 2023, following relegation from the Women's Super League, directly reflected resource constraints tied to the men's side's stabilization efforts amid points deductions and administration risks, resulting in reduced full-time staffing and player salaries.[172] [164] Despite formal integration, the women's program has operated with distinct coaching and medical staff, lacking full overlap with men's personnel; for instance, the appointment of Emma Hopkins as Head of Women's Football in August 2024 aimed to bolster autonomy within the club's framework, while the girls' academy pathway remains separately trialed and developed under women's leadership.[173] [174] This partial separation highlights vulnerabilities in attached models, where women's teams face disproportionate cuts during men's financial crises, as evidenced by Reading's withdrawal from the Women's Championship in July 2024 and drop to tier five, prompting calls for independent women's clubs to mitigate such dependencies.[166] [168] New ownership commitments in 2025, including chairman statements prioritizing men's recovery before expanded women's support, underscore ongoing prioritization of senior men's operations.[175]

References

  1. The Story of Reading Football Club
  2. Reading FC - Stadium - Select Car Leasing Stadium | Transfermarkt
  3. Honours & Records - Reading FC
  4. What is happening at Reading FC? - BBC
  5. EFL Statement: Reading FC and Mr Dai Yongge
  6. Ex- Royal Parkinson pleased Reading ownership resolved - BBC
  7. Reading England statistics, table, results, fixtures - FcTables
  8. The Real Early History of Reading FC – STAR
  9. Kicking off: the earliest days of Reading FC | Reading Museum
  10. Reading FC | Reading Football Club | One hundred years as a ...
  11. John Madejski: Reading chairman reflects on his 25 years at club
  12. Reading legend Glen Little on Royals' record-breaking season - BBC
  13. The Story of 106 Points - Junior Royals Reporter
  14. 2006-2007 Reading Stats, All Competitions - FBref.com
  15. Reading football club match record: 2007 - 11v11
  16. 2007-2008 Reading Stats, All Competitions - FBref.com
  17. Football | Premier League | Derby 0-4 Reading - BBC SPORT
  18. Royal Rewind | Reading 1-0 Nottingham Forest 17/04/2012
  19. Royal Rewind | Southampton 1-3 Reading 13/04/2012 - Reading FC
  20. 2012-2013 Reading Stats, All Competitions - FBref.com
  21. Managers of Reading FC
  22. Reading Manager History | Past & Present | Soccer Base
  23. Reading FC - Historical league placements - Transfermarkt
  24. Huddersfield Town 0-0 Reading (4-3 pens) - BBC Sport
  25. Reading sack manager Jaap Stam after one win in last 18 league ...
  26. Dai Yongge: Reading owner fined £20,000 for failing to deposit wages
  27. Reading FC removed from embargo after publishing accounts
  28. Why could Reading be kicked out of the EFL? Dai Yongge's ...
  29. Reading – an abandoned match, absent owner and unable to break ...
  30. EFL Statement: Reading FC - The English Football League
  31. Reading hit by second points deduction of season after failing to ...
  32. Reading could be thrown out of EFL if Dai Yongge misses sale ...
  33. Reading chief Dai Yongge FAILS Owners' and Directors' Test due to ...
  34. Reading agree sale terms as EFL extends takeover deadline - Reuters
  35. Redwood Holdings complete takeover - Reading FC
  36. Reading Football Club under new ownership - EFL
  37. New Reading owner Rob Couhig: 'There is a real market for the EFL ...
  38. History of the Hoops - Reading FC
  39. Old Reading football shirts and soccer jerseys
  40. The Top (And Bottom!) Five Reading Away Kits Of The 21st Century
  41. The History Of Reading FC Badges | The Tilehurst End
  42. Reading Logo History - Football Kit Archive
  43. Elm Park - Reading FC
  44. Elm Park (1896–1998) - Reading Football Club - Medium
  45. Reading - The Madejski Stadium - The Grecian Archive
  46. Select Car Leasing Stadium Guide - The Real EFL
  47. Madejski Stadium | Reading FC - Football Ground Guide
  48. Select Car Leasing Stadium (Madejski Stadium) - StadiumDB.com
  49. Training Facility for Reading Football Club - McArdle Sport Tec
  50. Bearwood Park - Reading FC
  51. Reading FC Training Grounds - Front Five Building Services
  52. Forest Academy Air Dome - Pitch Hire - Reading FC
  53. Reading FC attract under 10 per cent of local area, research suggests
  54. Fan demographics and commercial information - Hob Nob Anyone?
  55. why don't more people from Ethnic Minorities support Reading?
  56. Reading FC - England historical attendance and performance
  57. Reading FC - Change in attendance figures - Transfermarkt
  58. Attendances England average - European Football Statistics
  59. How England's top four divisions look based on all-time average ...
  60. Supporters Trust At Reading: STAR
  61. Reading FC Supporters Trust paid for the Reading players ... - Reddit
  62. Reading FC increase minimum age for popular stand Club 1871
  63. 156 Reading FC songs, Reading football chants lyrics for RFC
  64. Reading Football Club launch Royals Advisory Group
  65. Reading FC average crowd falls for third tier return
  66. THE TILEHURST END: Who are Reading's real rivals?
  67. Why You Should Watch Reading: Who Are The Royals' Rivals?
  68. The rivalries that fuel Reading FC's passionate fanbase
  69. Reading vs Aldershot Town Complete Head to Head Statistics
  70. REPORT Oxford United 1 Reading 1
  71. THAMES VALLEY DERBY Ends in a Draw - #oufc are TOOTHLESS!
  72. M4 Derby | Reading vs Swindon Town - rivals.football
  73. Will Wright ends Swindon Town's 24-year wait for Reading win
  74. Match Preview: Swindon Town vs Reading
  75. Reading vs Wycombe Wanderers Head to Head History - AiScore
  76. Derby Delights: Getting you ready for another derby day this Saturday
  77. Wycombe 2-2 Reading | Match Highlights - YouTube
  78. Former Reading owner Sir John Madejski 'delighted' by takeover
  79. Reading FC: The rise and fall of a club and its elusive owner - BBC
  80. Reading taken over by Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich
  81. Russian Billionaire Anton Zingarevich to Sell Reading Football Club ...
  82. Thai consortium completes takeover of Reading | Football News
  83. Thai owners to sell majority shares to Chinese brother and sister - BBC
  84. Reading Finances 2021/22 - The Swiss Ramble - Substack
  85. Reading owner Dai Yongge told by Football League: pay up or sell up
  86. Reading face three EFL charges for failing to pay players on ... - BBC
  87. Reading charged by EFL for failing to pay players on time
  88. Reading FC: Owner Dai Yongge's financial crisis in China revealed
  89. Reading docked two points for late payments to HMRC | Reuters
  90. r/soccer - Reading FC set for fine with accounts yet to be published
  91. Club Statement - Reading FC
  92. Reading FC: Rob Couhig completes takeover of League One club
  93. Reading takeover by ex-Wycombe owner agreed in principle - ESPN
  94. Reading ownership nightmare finally over after Dai Yongge sells ...
  95. 'I stick with it,' new owner Couhig reassures Royals - BBC
  96. Redwood Holdings Limited vow to return Reading 'to its rightful ...
  97. Reading FC co-owner: 'I can't stress how important patience is when ...
  98. Reading FC co-owner to host Q&A session tomorrow
  99. Reading FC's New(ish) Owners Four Months In - The Tilehurst End
  100. Club Partners - Reading FC
  101. Reading Kit History - Football Kit Archive
  102. Reading Football Club Announces PricedUp as its Official Betting ...
  103. Reading Football Club unveil pair of partnerships - South East
  104. CRL extend deal to sponsor the Royals - Reading FC
  105. https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/october/22/reading-football-club-announce-new-partnership-with-john-lewis-reading/
  106. 2025-26 Player Sponsorship Available Now - Reading FC
  107. Commercial - Reading FC
  108. Reading FC record £21.7m loss after Championship relegation
  109. Reading FC reveal Dai Yongge losses with accounts submitted
  110. Reading FC: Royals announce losses of £12.1m in 2023-24 - BBC
  111. EFL 2025/26 Registered Squad List - Reading FC
  112. Reading FC - Detailed squad 25/26
  113. Tom Norcott Recalled From Woking - Reading FC
  114. Abraham Kanu Joins Forest Green Rovers on Season-Long Loan
  115. Reading FC - Players on loan - Transfermarkt
  116. Latest Reading Transfers | Full Transfer History | Soccer Base
  117. Reading FC - Transfers 25/26 - Transfermarkt
  118. Latest Reading transfers | Ins, outs and rumours - BeSoccer
  119. Matty Jacob signs on loan - Reading FC
  120. Finley Burns signs on loan - Reading FC
  121. Mark O'Mahony signs on loan - Reading FC
  122. Kamari Doyle Joins the Royals on Season-Long Loan - Reading FC
  123. Reading FC dealt fresh blow with academy status change after ...
  124. Our Academy to take Category Two status in 2022-23 - Reading FC
  125. Reading Academy demoted to Category Two - Training Ground Guru
  126. Academy Trials - Reading FC
  127. https://payperdoll.com/blog/reading-fc-u21-everything-you
  128. Reading FC | The 2020-21 numbers behind our Academy graduates
  129. The 'What Could Have Been' Generation Of Reading's Academy
  130. Reading FC | Our Academy Graduates who went on to represent ...
  131. Ranked: The top 5 Reading FC academy graduates with the highest ...
  132. Reading FC Academy (@RFCAcademy) / Posts / X
  133. The Royals Academy | By numbers - Reading FC
  134. Managers - Reading FC
  135. Reading FC » Manager history - worldfootball.net
  136. Company Details - Reading FC
  137. the reading football club limited - Companies House
  138. Ross Kestin joins Board of Directors - Reading FC
  139. Rick Catania joins Board of Directors - Reading FC
  140. Noel's First Team staff confirmed - Reading FC
  141. Scott Marshall Returns as First Team Assistant Manager - Reading FC
  142. John O'Shea joins Reading coaching staff - Sports Mole
  143. We are pleased to announce that Rob Shay has been appointed as ...
  144. Reading FC - Staff - Transfermarkt
  145. Reading FC - Club achievements - Transfermarkt
  146. Reading football club honours - 11v11
  147. Record Breakers - Reading FC
  148. Reading F.C. (Football Club) of the Barclay's Premier League
  149. Reading FC - short history and facts
  150. https://kids.kiddle.co/Reading_F.C.
  151. Most Consecutive Clean Sheets in Football History - SportsBoom
  152. Reading FC - Record of goalkeepers - Transfermarkt
  153. 2017/18 Reading FC Positional Previews: Goalkeeper
  154. Reading's 2022/23 Midterm Squad Report: Goalkeepers
  155. Reading FC Stats, Form & xG | FootyStats
  156. Background to our Women's team - Reading FC
  157. Reading Football Club Women | Biography & Wiki | VAVEL USA
  158. Reading FC Women - Berkshire County Girls Football League
  159. Reading FC Women Stats and History - FBref.com
  160. Club Statement | Reading FC Women
  161. Reading Women confirm withdrawal from Championship next ...
  162. Women's Championship to have only 11 teams following Reading's ...
  163. Reading Women's 2024/25: A Success Story In A Far From Normal ...
  164. Reading 'still a huge women's club', says new manager - BBC
  165. Reading Women to go part-time after WSL relegation - The Athletic
  166. The sad demise of Reading Women – and why we should have ...
  167. Reading Women to go part-time following relegation ... - All Football
  168. Reading withdraw from Women's Championship due to financial ...
  169. Reading withdrawal an 'awful situation' - Charlie Estcourt - BBC Sport
  170. Investment 'fell by the week' - ex-Reading Women boss - BBC
  171. Reading FC | Royals partner with Vestel Visual Solutions to ...
  172. Reading FC Women to operate on part-time model in second tier
  173. Introducing our new Head of Women's Football, Emma Hopkins.
  174. Girls' Academy seeking new players - Reading FC
  175. "We want to do more to help them" Reading FC chairman's first ...
User Avatar
No comments yet.