Happy Christmas, and Happy Birthday Reading Football Club! Over the last few months I have been researching the history of our beloved club I want to share with you the incredible history of my favourite football club, Reading FC. From its humble beginnings in 1871 to the challenges it faces today, Reading FC has a rich and fascinating story that spans over 150 years. So, let’s dive into the journey of this amazing club and explore its highs, lows, and everything in between.
The Birth of Reading FC (1871-1872)
A Festive Beginning
Reading Football Club was born during the festive season of 1871. It all started when a group of young men from the town of Reading, led by Joseph Edward Sydenham, decided to form a football club. They met at the Bridge Street Rooms and, on December 25, 1871—yes, on Christmas Day!—Reading FC was officially established.
The First Match
Just two months after its formation, on February 21, 1872, Reading FC played its first-ever match. The game ended in a 0-0 draw against Reading School and took place at the Reading Recreation Ground, which is now known as King’s Meadow. It was the beginning of a long and storied journey for the club.
The Early Years and Amateur Status (1872-1895)
Growing Pains and Early Success
In its early years, the club slowly grew in strength. By 1878, Reading FC moved to an enclosed ground, the Reading Cricket Ground, which allowed them to host more organised matches. With talented players like John Morgan (who played for Wales) and Edgar Field (who played for England) in defence, the club won its first trophy—the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup—in March 1879.
Challenges and Setbacks
Despite early successes, the 1880s were tough for Reading FC. The club moved to Coley Park, and while football was booming in the north of England, Reading struggled to keep up. At times, they weren’t even the best team in their own town! The club faced severe decline and needed strong leadership to turn things around.
Revival Under Horace Walker
In 1890, former player Horace Walker took charge and worked tirelessly to revive the club. He re-established Reading FC on a more open and attractive footing. Now playing at Caversham Cricket Ground, the team regained the Berks & Bucks Cup in 1892. They also became founding members of the Southern League in 1894, marking a significant step forward.
A Record Defeat
In 1894, Reading FC ventured north of Oxfordshire for the first time, but it didn’t go well. They suffered an 18-0 defeat to Preston North End, a record loss that still stands today. Despite this setback, the club was regularly attracting crowds of over 2,000 fans and finished mid-table in its first Southern League season.
Turning Professional
By 1895, Reading FC turned professional. An amateur section split away to form Reading Amateurs, who played in Palmer Park. Turning professional was a big move for the club, signaling its ambitions to compete at higher levels.
Success in the Southern League (1895-1920)
Building Elm Park
To progress as a professional club, Reading FC needed a proper home ground. In September 1896, they built Elm Park in west Reading. The following year, the club became a limited company, setting the stage for future growth. Elm Park even hosted the last-ever all non-league FA Cup semi-final between Millwall and Southampton in 1900.
Golden Era Highlights
This period was one of the most successful eras for Reading FC. They spent 22 seasons in the Southern League, mostly in the top division. Some of the highlights included:
•Finishing as Southern League Division One runners-up three times.
•Winning the Southern League Division Two title in 1911.
•Reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1901.
•Knocking out big teams like Bolton in 1901 and Aston Villa in 1912 from the FA Cup.
•Holding Manchester United to a draw in a newsreel-filmed cup match in 1912.
International Recognition
Reading FC started gaining international attention. In 1913, they toured Italy and beat both AC Milan and the Italian national team! Italian newspapers described Reading FC as “without doubt the finest foreign team seen in Italy.” Players like Johnny Holt and Herbert Smith earned full caps for England, and both Smith (in 1908) and Ted Hanney (in 1912) played in Great Britain’s gold medal-winning Olympic teams.
The Impact of World War I (1914-1920)
Losses and Challenges
The outbreak of World War I in 1914 had a significant impact on Reading FC. The club was weakened financially and lost many players who went to fight in the war. The most prominent casualty was star forward Allen Foster, who had been tipped for England honors. Football took a backseat as the world was engulfed in conflict.
Resuming Play
After the war, the Southern League resumed for the 1919-20 season. Reading FC’s management committee sought admission to the Football League. In March 1920, it was agreed that the Southern League clubs could enter as Division Three teams—a lower status than they had hoped for, but it was a new beginning on the national stage.
Joining the Football League (1920-1931)
First Football League Matches
Reading FC won their first Football League match 1-0 against Newport. However, the early years in the league were challenging, and the club came close to having to apply for re-election in their first season.
Champions of Division Three (South)
In the 1925-26 season, Reading FC won the Division Three (South) Championship. Promotion was secured on the last day with an incredible 7-1 victory over Brentford. International honors were earned by players like Dai Evans (Wales), Billy McConnell, and Hugh Davey (Northern Ireland).
New Grandstand and Record Attendances
To match their higher status, a new grandstand holding 4,000 spectators was built on the Norfolk Road side of Elm Park. This stand lasted until 1998. During an amazing ten-game FA Cup run in the 1926-27 season, Reading reached the semi-finals for the first time but lost to eventual winners Cardiff at Molineux. The all-time attendance record at Elm Park was set during this run, with 33,042 fans watching the 5th Round victory over Brentford.
Struggles and Relegation
Despite the initial successes, Reading FC struggled to stay in the Second Division. They were up against big clubs like Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton, and Wolves. When their inspirational captain Alf Messer was sold in 1930, the team’s performance declined. Reading was relegated back to Division Three (South) in 1931.
Record-Breaking Performance
In the same year they were relegated, center-forward Arthur Bacon set a club record by scoring six goals in one league game against Stoke City. It was a bittersweet achievement during a tough time for the club.
The Southern League Challenges (1931-1952)
Consistent Near Misses
For nearly two decades, Reading FC was close to returning to the Second Division but couldn’t quite clinch the title. They finished second four times and third three times but never fell into the bottom half of the table.
Strong Home Form
During the 1930s, Reading’s home form was incredibly strong. However, their away performances weren’t as impressive, which prevented them from securing promotion.
Modernising the Club
Reading FC enjoyed a series of good managerial appointments with Joe Smith, Billy Butler, Joe Edelston, and Ted Drake. They worked on modernizing the club by focusing on youth development, better training facilities, and foreign tours, including several trips to the Netherlands.
Supporters’ Club and Kit Changes
Off the pitch, the Supporters’ Club was founded in 1930. They raised funds for better facilities, including a public address system and a roof over part of the south terrace. In 1938, the kit was changed from stripes back to hoops, reflecting the club’s very first kit from 1872.
World War II and Aftermath
Throughout World War II, Reading FC played regional football, with many famous guest players, including Matt Busby. The club won the London War Cup in 1941. When league football resumed in 1946, Reading got off to a flying start with a record 10-2 win in their first home match against Crystal Palace.
Record Attendances
Attendances boomed during the fabulous 1951-52 season, with almost 16,000 fans watching on average. Despite breaking club records for most goals scored (112) and individual goals (Ron Blackman with 39), and winning 19 out of 20 games in one run, Reading finished second yet again. Manager Ted Drake left, the chairman resigned, and the great team was broken up.
Mid-Table Years and Relegation (1952-1971)
Stagnation and Frustration
From the early 1950s to the early 1970s, Reading FC settled into a mid-table existence. There was no significant FA Cup glory, few star signings, and only a few close calls with promotion in 1958, 1967, and 1968.
Changes and Innovations
Football needed change as the 1960s approached. The league had become too routine. Some reforms included the creation of national Divisions Three and Four to replace the regional divisions in 1958-59. Reading comfortably made the cut into the Third Division.
Attempts at Modernisation
There were efforts to modernise the club, including changing to an all-sky-blue kit, creating a club song, and adopting a 4-2-4 formation. However, these changes failed to bring about significant success.
Relegation to Division Four
When new manager Jack Mansell took high-scoring Reading to the top of the table in March 1970, it seemed like things were turning around. However, a stymied promotion bid was followed by a shocking relegation on goal difference in May 1971, sending Reading down to Division Four.
The Lower Leagues and Recovery (1971-1983)
Challenges in Division Four
The 1970s were a difficult time for football, but fans still enjoyed the game. Reading’s first season in Division Four (1971-72) saw the club’s lowest league placing (16th) but included memorable cup ties against Blyth Spartans and Arsenal.
Promotion and Relegation
Manager Charlie Hurley took four seasons to build a team capable of winning the club’s first promotion in 50 years (1975-76), only to be followed by immediate relegation. In 1976, the club’s nickname was changed from the Biscuitmen to the Royals.
A Title and Record-Breaking Defence
Manager Maurice Evans built a strong team that won the Division Four title in May 1979. During that season, Reading set a Football League record by going 1,103 minutes without conceding a goal.
Financial Struggles and Near Extinction
Serious injuries and tight finances prevented the 1979 team from progressing. Persistent crowd trouble also forced down attendances, sometimes as low as 2,000 in 1982-83. The board of directors ran out of ideas and put the club up for sale. There was even an unwelcome offer from the chairman of local rivals Oxford United, who proposed a merger that looked more like a takeover. Reading FC was on the brink of extinction in May 1983 but was saved by rebel directors, supporters’ protests, and the emergence of a new owner from the ranks of ex-players.
A New Era and Cup Glory (1983-1990)
Rebuilding and Promotion
Although saved from extinction, Reading FC was back in Division Four. New chairman Roger Smee set about changing everything—the manager, the kit, the business planning, and even the stadium location. With Trevor Senior leading the attack under manager Ian Branfoot’s direct style of play, Reading won promotion at the first attempt in 1983-84.
Record-Breaking Start
In the 1985-86 season, Reading surprised everyone by winning the first 13 league matches, building a massive lead by New Year’s Day. It was a record-breaking start, even though it happened without TV coverage due to a boycott and in front of restricted crowds following the Bradford Fire disaster. Reading took the Division Three title by a comfortable margin, exactly 60 years after their first third-tier title.
Simod Cup Victory
The following season, Reading achieved their highest league placing yet, finishing 13th in Division Two. Although the better players moved on, the club enjoyed cup success. They won the Simod Cup in 1988, defeating Luton Town 4-1 at Wembley. It was a bright moment during a time of financial struggles.
Financial Difficulties
Despite the on-field success, financial problems forced Roger Smee’s resignation in November 1990. The club faced challenges in maintaining its status and building for the future.
The End of Elm Park and a New Home (1990-1998)
Sir John Madejski’s Vision
John Madejski, later knighted for his contributions, began a long era of careful stewardship in 1990. He aimed to put the club on a more sustainable, business-like footing. A key part of his plan was to move from the outdated Elm Park to a purpose-built stadium on the southern edge of town.
On-Field Success and Near Misses
Rookie manager Mark McGhee was given time to build a team. Reading won the Division Two (third tier) title in 1993-94, with Jimmy Quinn’s goals leading the way. Radical changes further improved the side, and they made an unlikely bid for promotion to the top division.
Play-Off Heartbreak
Though McGhee controversially left mid-season, Reading finished second and entered the play-offs for the first time. In a heartbreaking match, the Royals surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and lost in extra time to Bolton. It was a pattern of near misses that would continue.
Relegation and Farewell to Elm Park
The next three seasons were a struggle to maintain second-tier status. Despite cup victories over Premier League sides and reaching the League Cup quarter-finals in 1997-98, Reading was relegated in their final season at Elm Park. It was time for a new chapter.
The Madejski Stadium Era (1998-2005)
A New Home
The comforts of the new Madejski Stadium quickly attracted more supporters. However, it took 18 months before the team showed consistency. The club launched a structured youth development program known as the Academy and opened a new training ground at Hogwood.
Alan Pardew’s Leadership
Alan Pardew took charge in late 1999 and brought a significant change in attitude. With the motto “tenacity, spirit, flair,” he built a team that narrowly missed promotion in 2001 but succeeded in 2002, thanks to Jamie Cureton’s late goal against arch-rivals Brentford.
Consistent Performances
Reading adapted well to the second tier, finishing fourth in their first attempt but losing in the play-off semi-final. Two years earlier, they had lost in the third-tier play-off final at the Millennium Stadium. The habit of near misses continued.
Steve Coppell’s Arrival
Pardew left in September 2003, and experienced manager Steve Coppell took over. It took nearly two seasons and some smart transfers to find the right blend. Reading was consistently looking up and attracting better players and more supporters.
Unprecedented Success (2005-2013)
The 106-Point Season
The 2005-06 season was unforgettable. Reading FC achieved:
•A record-breaking 106 points.
•Scored 99 goals.
•A 33-match unbeaten run.
•Promotion secured before the clocks went back.
•Steve Coppell named Manager of the Year.
•Championship winners for the first time.
Premier League Debut
In the 2006-07 season, Reading FC made their Premier League debut and finished an impressive eighth, just missing out on European qualification. The Madejski Stadium was packed almost to its 24,000 capacity every game, and the team defeated famous clubs like Tottenham, West Ham, and Manchester City.
International Recognition
In 2007, defender Nicky Shorey became the first Reading player in over 100 years to be picked for England. The club also participated in the International Peace Cup in South Korea the same year.
Relegation and Resilience
Unfortunately, the success was short-lived. Reading was relegated on goal difference in the 2007-08 season. The 106-point team began to split, and promotion back to the Premier League looked possible in 2008-09 but ended in another play-off defeat. Steve Coppell resigned, and the club faced new challenges.
Brian McDermott’s Revival
Brian McDermott revived the club in 2010, reaching two FA Cup quarter-finals and the play-off final in 2011. An extraordinary run of form in 2011-12, with 15 wins in 17 games, brought a second Football League title to Berkshire.
Ownership Changes and Challenges (2013-Present)
New Ownership and Financial Troubles
During the successful 2011-12 season, Sir John Madejski sold a controlling interest in the club to Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich. While the deal initially seemed positive, it turned into a disaster as money that didn’t exist was spent on extravagant transfers and wages. Reading didn’t look like staying in the Premier League and came straight back down.
Further Ownership Changes
Following Zingarevich’s departure, a consortium of Thai owners took over, followed by Chinese investor Dai Yongge in 2017, who is the current owner. The club has faced financial troubles and backroom turmoil but continues to work hard to overcome these challenges.
Focus on Youth Development
Reading FC has focused on youth development. After the launch of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Programme in 2011, the Royals achieved Category 1 status by July 2013, putting them on the same footing as the best academies in the country. This was further enhanced with the opening of the state-of-the-art Bearwood Park training ground in 2019.
Recent Near Misses
On the field, the Royals have come close to earning a third promotion to the top tier. They narrowly missed out on play-off positions in 2014. Under manager Jaap Stam in 2017, they finished third, but a penalty shootout loss to Huddersfield Town in the play-off final at Wembley ended their hopes.
FA Cup Semi-Final
In 2015, Reading reached the FA Cup semi-final for just the second time in the club’s history and the first time since 1927. They took Arsenal to extra time but ultimately lost 2-1.
The Impact of COVID-19
As the 2019-20 season closed, the sport faced the new threat of COVID-19, leading to matches being played in empty stadiums. It was a bizarre echo of the club playing without crowds nearly 150 years ago.
Looking Ahead
Entering the 153rd Year
As Reading FC entered its 153rd year, the club was working hard to overcome recent financial troubles and backroom turmoil. Despite these challenges, the team, club, and fans have formed a close relationship built on resilience and adversity. The fans have a lot of respect for the management, backroom staff, and players.
Hope for the Future
There’s hope that the 154th year will mark another landmark that we’ll be talking about positively over the next 100 years. With a focus on youth development, strong community ties, and a determination to overcome obstacles, Reading FC looks forward to writing the next chapter in its rich history.
Conclusion
From its formation on Christmas Day in 1871 to the challenges it faces today, Reading FC has a history filled with ups and downs, triumphs and tribulations. It’s a club that has shown resilience time and time again, bouncing back from setbacks and striving for success.
As a 15-year-old fan, I’m proud of the club’s rich history and excited about its future. Reading FC isn’t just a football club; it’s a community, a legacy, and a source of pride for its supporters. Here’s to hoping that the next chapters in Reading FC’s story are filled with success, joy, and memories that we’ll cherish for generations to come.
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