Reading

Reading Football Club
Madejski Stadium, Junction 11, M4, Reading, RG2 0FL
Tel: 0870 999 1871


Manager Profile

Steve Coppell
The ex-Crystal Palace boss has been named Managers' Manager of the Year for the past two seasons


Overview

Steve Coppell's Reading had a fantastic 2006/07 campaign - their first in the top flight. They should have been promoted in 1995, having finished runners-up in Division One, but were denied as that was the year the FA Carling Premiership was reduced from 22 team to 20.

The Royals lost to Bolton 4-3 after extra time in the play-off final. In 2006, they finally secured promotion in emphatic style - winning the Championship with a record amount of points (106).

The Royals' first Premier League match was against Middlesbrough and they found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes. In a stunning turnaround they went on to win the match 3-2. An impressive and attacking season saw Reading hold Manchester United to a draw, narrowly lose to Chelsea and memorably beat West Ham 6-0.

An impressive Premier League beginning for a club that had been plying its trade in the third tier when the competition kicked off in 1992. Since 2001, 'Reading Fans' has been registered as number 13 in the squad in recognition of the supporters' importance.

Club Heritage

Reading FC was formed on Christmas Day 1871, but did not turn professional until 1895. They were originally nicknamed The Biscuitmen after the main trade of the town. The club was a founding member of the Southern League in 1894. Though largely undistinguished, Reading did beat AC Milan 5-0 and the Italian national team 2-0 in 1913.

In 1926, Reading won Division Three (south) and the following season had their best FA Cup run, reaching the semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners Cardiff City. Reading were relegated in 1931 and became a founding member of the national Division Three in 1957, where they remained until their centenary year.

In 1971 the Royals were relegated into Division Four, where they spent most of that decade. On their way to promotion in 1979, they didn't concede a goal for 1,103 minutes - a Football League record. In 1983 they were relegated again and almost ceased to exist as they desperately fought off a merger with Oxford United.

They survived and former player Roger Smee became chairman. Three years later, they were back in Division Two for the first time in 55 years. But it wasn't until John Madejski took control of the club in 1990 that Reading FC was really on its way up.

Premier League History

1993-94 - Champions of Division Two
1994-95 - Manager Mark McGhee resigns. Replaced by Jimmy Quinn and Mick Gooding. Division One runners-up but lose to Bolton in play-offs
1997-98 - Terry Bullivant appointed as manager before season begins. Tommy Burns takes over in March. Relegated
1998-99 - Move into Madejski Stadium
1999-00 - Burns is sacked in September and replaced by Alan Pardew
2001-02 - Promoted as Division Two runners-up
2002-03 - Lose play-off semi-finals
2003-04 - Pardew leaves in September. Replaced by Steve Coppell
2005-06 - Win the Championship with record points total
2006-07 - Break record signing Greg Halford for £2.5million