Reading Title Club Profile

This has undoubtedly been a golden period for Reading as they reached the Premier League for the first time in their history in 2006. They have lifted the Championship on two occasions, in 2006 (with 106 points) and in 1994. They also won the title in the third tier of English football in 1926 and 1986, and were crowned fourth division (League Two) champions in 1979.

The recent upsurge in the Royals' fortunes has coincided with a move to The Madejski Stadium, which has been funded by their major benefactor, John Madejski. Prior to this move they plied their trade at Elm Park, which had been their home since 1896.

Reading was formed back in 1871 and were one of the fore-runners of European football as they toured Italy in 1913 and beat Genoa 4-2 and AC Milan 5-0. They were admitted to the Football League in 1920 and remained in the third division for many years. They reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1927 before losing to eventual winners Cardiff City

Other notable achievements include goalkeeper Steve Death keeping a clean sheet for 1103 minutes during their 1979 promotion winning campaign. That is an English League record, as is their achievement in 1985/96 when they won 13 consecutive games at the start of a season.

The Simod Cup was lifted in 1988 at Wembley and they bounced back into the Championship (Second Division) in 1994 before moving to their new plush stadium in 1998.

It had been one long upward curve from that moment on until last season’s blip but, with Coppell at the helm, Reading players will fancy their chances of creating more history.

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