Reading FC has been the best team among the 3 promoted to the premiership this season. Currently at 9th spot, John Madejski, Steve Coppell and the gang are pushing for a UEFA Cup place. With 3 more games to play, can they follow what Ipswitch Town did in early 2000s?

For those who didnt know, John Madejski makes millions by publishing a magazine call Auto Trader in UK. Here, the magazine is called Motor Trader Malaysia.

Any Royals supporters here? Hope to get feedback from you all about this team. TQ

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Added on April 30, 2007, 10:20 amAmong the website you can go to:

Reading FC Official Website

Fan's View of Reading Football Club

I have been a supporter of The Royals since 1994-1995 season when they nearly got promoted to premier league. They lost 3-4 to Bolton during the Division One play-off final match at Wembley on 29 May 1995. At that time, their homeground was at Elm Park. They shifted to their current ground, Madejski Stadium during the 98-99 season.

Here's a summary of their league positions since 94-95 season:
1994/1995 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 2nd (Play-Off finalists)
1995/1996 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 19th
1996/1997 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 18th
1997/1998 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 24th (Relegated to Division Two)
1998/1999 Season: Football League Division Two - Royals finish 11th
1999/2000 Season: Football League Division Two - Royals finish 10th
2000/2001 Season: Football League Division Two - Royals finish 3rd (Play-Off finalists)
2001/2002 Season: Football League Division Two - Royals finish 2nd (Promoted to Division One)
2002/2003 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 4th (Defeated in play-off semi-finals)
2003/2004 Season: Football League Division One - Royals finish 9th
2004/2005 Season: Football League Championship - Royals finish 7th
2005/2006 Season: Football League Championship - Royals finish 1st - Champions (Promoted to Premiership)



This post has been edited by razlan: Apr 3 2011, 01:16 AM

I doubt you'd find any on this forum. They are the Wigans of this season aren't they? They finished last season with a massive gap at the top of the Championship last season and have continued with their winning ways. The gap between the Premiership and the Championship has been widening as each season passes and it's refreshing to see a team like Reading up there amongst the big boys. They'll need to bring in some faces before the start of next season though, and increase the size of their squad, else they want to follow in the footsteps of Wigan, who are amongst the relegation battlers this season.

lita like the way he played and he is only 22

During last year, many thought Wigan as a performance-based team as the team fought so hard against Chelsea in their first game but eventually lost out to a Crespo's strike...

But this season is totally a disaster for them and Jewell has been marked as a over-rated manager. Maybe because some of their good players left but this season is just too much for them, I guess....

Wigan's case taught us non-Reading supporters that don't expect too much until it is really a sure thing about a club. Things of course are honeymoon for Reading supporters now.

GREAT JOB READING THIS SEASON!!

good to know that there are few among us who followed Reading meteoric rise in the premiership. i would agree with you, Duke Red. If they don't increase their squad numbers and purchase higher rated player, they might follow and become like ipswitch and wigan.

The 64k questions are:
1) Will Sir John (what The Royals' supporters are calling John Madejski, the chairman) pump in more money for next season? There's rumours that he's looking for a billionaire to buy the club from him.
2) Is Reading's short track record in the premiership be enough to attract a billionaire investor?

Whatever happens, Sir John and Sir Steve (Coppell) & the players, we salute you for what you guys have done FOR the premiership this season.

I admire Reading so much.. This season they doing a good job.. With the players they have still can reach the top 10 of the table.. I remember they thumb West Ham 5-0.. hahaha.. Who would've thought they'll compete in UEFA Cup next season.. Steve Coppell is one of my favourite manager in England.. Good luck..

Steve Coppell is actually another ex-player who have played under Sir Alex. They'll need a 2nd season to prove that they are really capable to play side-by-side with sides like Tottenham, Bolton, Aston Villa and manbe in the future, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd or Chelsea...

yep i know that.. i like their style of play also.. well, when Man Utd was not easy to beat Steve Coppell side at home.. last time 1-1 at Madjeski, in F.A Cup 2-3..

I think they're capable to challenge good spot in EPL next season.. and hopefully in UEFA Cup too..

Maybe someone annoying with me now, but to be honest Reading is like my 2nd team now..

oh maybe 3rd team, 2nd team is Sunderland.. hehehe

aaahhhh... black cat's supporter. who's numero uno?

sorry.. i didnt mean to.. i just kidding.. sorry if hurt ur feeling bro..

u didnt hurt my feeling, no need to apologise everybody is entitled to their own opinion, right. as long as dont flame others.

u said sunderland is no 2, reading no 3, who is ur no 1 team?

btw, reading vs newcastle tomorrow morning at 2.50am, live on ESPN, Astro Ch81. Come on Reading!!!

Well, I've seen him a lot in the Man United thread so he is like me, a Red Devil...
Reading have the potential, just make sure that good players in the team don't get carved out by other bigger clubs...

u disable siggy function? lol.. my siggy tells all..

didnt disable siggy... only after posting i realised... kekeke... doohhhh

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Added on May 1, 2007, 12:35 amwhile waiting for the reading vs newcastle game, i'm posting this picture of the Club's official team photo for the 2006/7 Barclays Premiership season



Back row (left to right): Selby Armstrong (Assistant Kit Manager), Ron Grant (Kit Manager), Scott Golbourne, Simon Cox, Shane Long, Curtis Osano, John Halls, Chris Makin (now Southampton), Curtis Ujah, Sam Sodje, Scott Davies, Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Jonathan Hayes, Andy Stanbury (Masseur), Stephen Brown (Video Analyst)

Middle row: Sal Bibbo (Goalkeeping Coach), Leroy Lita, Stephen Hunt, John Oster, Kevin Doyle, Glen Little, Adam Federici, Marcus Hahnemann, Graham Stack, Ibrahima Sonko, Aaron Brown, Seol Ki-Hyeon, Brynjar Gunnarsson, Bobby Convey, Jon Goodman (Sports Scientist)

Front row: Brian McDermott (Chief Scout and Reserve Team Manager), James Harper, Dave Kitson, Graeme Murty, Kevin Dillon (First Team Coach), Wally Downes (First Team Coach), Nick Hammond (Director of Football), John Madejski OBE, DL (Chairman), Nigel Howe (Chief Executive), Steve Coppell (Manager), Jon Fearn (Head Physiotherapist), Ivar Ingimarsson, Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey, Nigel Gibbs (Coach)

source: readingfc.co.uk

This post has been edited by razlan: May 1 2007, 12:35 AM

I am not really a fan of reading, but i like the way lite play =D

everybody can join, no matter Reading's supporter or other team's (read MU, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle etc) supporter

in my opinion, when lita is on form, he'll play really good football, just like in the early stages of the premiership. but when he is off form, he can't score even in an easy situation, just like in the middle stages of the premiership.


however, the player to watch for is Kevin Doyle. If Sir John can keep him at Reading, Doyle can help Reading achieve a higher level. Just look at how he scored 2 goals in the last 6 minutes to help Reading beat Bolton 3-1 at Reebok Std last week. This lost probably caused Allerdyce to quit his job? kekeke


pictures courtesy of readingfc.co.uk

Reading lead by 1 goal - Kitson

Reading play well in second half after they manage to score 1 goal. Newcastle rather risk owen (play for 90 minute) and play with so many attacking minded player. Siberski and Emre injury help Reading win the game.
Steve Cooper seem content with 1 point instead of 3. Trying out new player and formation. Is he trying to get Reading not to qualify for UEFA? maybe he worrie next season relegation battle and don't want UEFA distracting them

maxi ...dont sibuk sibuk in here lah u!!!

This post has been edited by cursed: May 1 2007, 07:42 AM

aiyahh.. really wanted to watch the match after waiting for soo long but, hehehe, fall asleep infront of the tv before the game start

reading won and thats 3 points in the bag and now their total is 54. another 6 to go. The balance 2 matchs are:
5 May 07 vs Watford (Home) - should be a no brainer, another 3 points
13 May 07 vs Blackburn (Away) - reading lost 1-2 to this team at home in dec last year, probably another 1 point here.

so, in total, 58 points. is that enough to secure 7th place?