Reading FC - Wikipedia Reading FC Jump to : navigation , search Not to be confused with Reading F.C. Women . Reading Full name Reading Football Club Nickname ( s ) The Royals Founded 1871 ; 147 years ago ( 1871 ) Ground Madejski Stadium Ground Capacity 24,161 Owner Dai Yongge and Dai Xiuli ( majority ) Chairman Sir John Madejski Manager Jaap Stam League Championship 2016 -- 17 Championship , 3rd Website Club website Home colours Away colours Current season Reading Football Club ( / ˈrɛdɪŋ / ( listen ) RED - ing ) is a professional association football club based in Reading , Berkshire , England . The team play in the Championship , the second tier of English football . Reading are nicknamed The Royals , due to Reading 's location in the Royal County of Berkshire , though they were previously known as The Biscuitmen , due to the town 's association with Huntley and Palmers . Established in 1871 , the club is one of the oldest teams in England , but did not join The Football League until 1920 , and had never played in the top tier of English football league system before 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 . The club played at Elm Park for 102 years between 1896 and 1998 . In 1998 the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium , which is named after the club 's co-chairman Sir John Madejski . 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 and also the record for the number of points gained in the professional league season with 106 points in the 2005 -- 06 Football League Championship campaign . Reading then finished eighth in the 2006 -- 07 Premier League , their first ever season as a top flight club . Contents ( hide ) 1 History 2 Crest and colours 3 Stadium 4 Support 4.1 Rivalries 5 Sponsorship 5.1 Additional kit sponsors 6 Ownership and finances 7 Players 7.1 First - team squad 7.2 Under - 23 squad 7.3 Under - 18 squad 7.4 Out on loan 8 Records and statistics 8.1 Notable players 8.2 Player of the season 8.3 International players 8.4 Former players 9 Club officials 10 Managers 11 Women 's team 12 Honours 12.1 Managerial 13 Affiliated clubs 14 References 15 Bibliography 16 External links History ( edit ) Main article : History of Reading F.C. See also : Thames Valley Royals proposal Reading were formed on 25 December 1871 , following a public meeting at the Bridge Street Rooms organised by the future club secretary Joseph Edward Sydenham . 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 . 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 . 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 '' . The team from the 1926 -- 27 season Reading were elected to the Football League Third Division South of the Football League in 1920 . 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 . Reading lost their place in Division Two 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 . 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 . The appointment of Mark McGhee as player - manager , shortly after the takeover by John Madejski , in 1991 saw Reading move forward . 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 against Bolton Wanderers in the final . 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 one season before being sacked in March 1998 . The last ever 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 . 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 . Alan Pardew moved to West Ham United the following October and was replaced by Steve Coppell . Reading won the 2005 -- 06 Championship with a league record 106 points , scoring 99 goals and losing only twice . Reading 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 . Reading turned down the chance to play in the UEFA Intertoto Cup . In the run up to their second season in the Premier League , Reading took part in the 2007 Peace Cup in South Korea . This second season was less successful , however , and Reading were relegated back to the Championship . Reading started the 2008 -- 09 season with a 15 match unbeaten home run . They finished fourth and qualify for the play - offs , where they lost to Burnley in the semi-final . Manager Steve Coppell resigned just hours after the game , replaced by Brendan Rodgers . Rodgers left the club by mutual consent on 16 December 2009 and Brian McDermott made caretaker manager the same day . In the 2010 -- 11 FA Cup , Reading reached the quarter - final , where they lost 1 -- 0 to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium , Reading eventually finished fifth in the Championship to qualify for the division 's play - offs . After beating Cardiff City in the semi-finals , they lost 4 -- 2 to Swansea City in the final at Wembley . In the 2011 -- 12 season , a streak of good form in the second half of the season , ensured promotion to the Premier League on 17 April 2012 with 1 -- 0 home win against Nottingham Forest . 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 . On 11 March 2013 , however , he left his position at Reading . 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 . 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 they made the playoffs at Reading 's expense . The summer before the 2014 -- 15 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 . A good start to Nigel Adkins ' second season in charge was followed by a poor run of results that ended with his sacking after the 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 luckily 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 were unlucky to lose to 2 -- 1 to Arsenal at Wembley . The 2015 -- 16 season saw the departures of long - serving players Adam Federici to AFC Bournemouth , Alex Pearce to Derby County and Jem Karacan to Galatasaray , but the arrivals Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane from Hull City , Orlando Sá from Legia Warsaw and Jonathan Bond from newly promoted Premier League side Watford . The summer spending continued , with goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi joining from recently relegated League 1 side Wigan Athletic , Paolo Hurtado from Paços de Ferreira and Andrew Taylor and Álex Fernández in on loan . The club then signed Lucas Piazon on a season - long loan deal from Chelsea just before the deadline day , as well as the signings of winger Ola John from Benfica and striker Matěj Vydra from Watford , both likewise season - long loan deals . The club would finish 17th that season . 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 . 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 . Crest and colours ( edit ) Reading F.C. crest ( 1987 -- 96 ) A change from 1965 to 1969 saw Reading run out in sky blue 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 trees and the rivers Thames and Kennet , this only lasted two seasons . From 1987 -- 96 the crest used the new kit colours of yellow , sky blue , royal blue and white . In 1995 chairman 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 . '' This crest only lasted from 1996 -- 98 when the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium . The current crest was first seen on the kits for the 1998 -- 99 season . It is based on the club colours , blue and white , and includes a crown to represent the County of Berkshire and a Maiwand Lion to represent Reading . Stadium ( edit ) Main articles : Elm Park and Madejski 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 in 1981 In 1889 , Reading were unable to continue playing at Coley Park as WB Monck ( the local squire ) no longer allowed football due to `` rowdyism ( by ) the rougher elements '' . 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 . £ 20 was donated by JC Fidler , on the proviso that `` no liquors were to be sold '' on site . The rest of the cost was financed through donations by wealthy supporters , as well as one large individual donation . A former gravel pit in West Reading was identified as the site . 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 . £ 44 was taken on the gate , with an attendance of approximately 2,500 . 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 '' . 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 . Instead , a location in Smallmead ( to the south of the town ) was identified as the site for a new stadium . 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 . 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 ) . The last competitive match at Elm Park took place on 3 May 1998 against Norwich City , with Reading losing 1 -- 0 . Reading began the 1998 -- 99 season at the Madejski Stadium . It was opened on 22 August 1998 when Luton Town were beaten 3 -- 0 . The stadium cost more than £ 50 million to build . 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 , 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 . On 24 May 2007 , it was announced that planning permission had been granted to extend the stadium to a capacity of 36,900 . Reading have made plans for a new training ground at Bearwood Golf Club to replace Hogwood park their current training facility . 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 '' . Support ( edit ) See also : Supporters ' Trust at Reading Supporters at a Reading match at Elm Park in 1913 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 ' . Rivalries ( edit ) Before going out of business in 1992 , Aldershot were Reading 's biggest rivals . 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 . With Aldershot Town rejoining the league in 2008 , it remains to be seen whether this traditional rivalry will be re-established . 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 '' . 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 . In 2012 , a small survey showed that Reading 's main rivals were Aldershot Town , followed by Swindon Town and Oxford United . 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 2015 -- 16 Carabao Daeng ( home ) Thai Airways ( away ) 2016 -- 19 Carabao Daeng Additional kit sponsors ( edit ) During the 2013 -- 14 season and 2014 -- 15 season the Marussia F1 logo was on the back of the shirts as part of a sponsorship deal between former Russian owner Anton Zingarevich and Russian owned Marussia F1 . This deal continued until the team entered administration in October 2014 . The sponsorship deal ended despite the team surviving and racing in the 2015 Formula One season . During the 2015 -- 16 season , Waitrose was on the back of the home shirt whilst Euro Cake was on the back of the away shirt , meanwhile Legend Alliance sponsored the shorts for the season . Waitrose and Euro Cake sponsored the home and away kits respectively again for the 2016 -- 17 season . Cherwell Software took sponsorship of the back of the home shirt for the 2017 -- 18 season while Euro Cake sponsored the back of the away shirt again for the third consecutive season . Ownership and finances ( edit ) Reading Football Club ownership structure : 75 % Owned by Renhe Sports Management Ltd , 100 % owned by Xiu Li Dai and Yongge Dai . 25 % Owned by Narin Niruttinanon Reading F.C. Directors : Xiu Li Dai , Yongge Dai , Ronald Gourlay , Narin Niruttinanon , Nigel Howe Players ( edit ) As of 8 January 2018 First - team squad ( edit ) Note : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality . No . Position Player GK Vito Mannone DF Chris Gunter MF Joey van den Berg 5 DF Paul McShane ( captain ) 6 DF Liam Moore 7 MF Roy Beerens 8 MF George Evans 9 FW Joseph Mendes 10 MF John Swift 11 DF Jordan Obita 12 MF Garath McCleary 14 FW Sone Aluko 15 MF Callum Harriott 16 MF David Edwards 17 FW Modou Barrow 18 FW Yann Kermorgant 19 MF Leandro Bacuna No . Position Player 20 DF Tiago Ilori 21 MF Stephen Quinn 22 MF Pelle Clement 23 FW Jón Daði Böðvarsson 24 DF Tyler Blackett 25 MF Adrian Popa 30 DF Tennai Watson 31 GK Anssi Jaakkola 37 DF Axel Andrésson 38 MF Liam Kelly 41 MF Ryan East 42 MF Andy Rinomhota 43 GK George Legg 50 DF Omar Richards 51 MF Tyler Frost 55 FW Sam Smith 56 FW Danny Loader Under - 23 squad ( edit ) Main article : Reading F.C. Under - 23s and Academy Note : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality . No . Position Player 40 GK Liam Driscoll 45 FW Ben House 46 DF Teddy Howe 48 DF Ramarni Medford - Smith 49 DF Gabriel Osho 52 MF Joel Rollinson 54 MF Ade Shokunbi 57 DF Tom Holmes 58 MF Jordan Holsgrove 60 MF Andre Burley No . Position Player 61 MF Cameron Green 62 MF Jack Nolan 64 MF Jack Buchanan 65 GK Gabe Rosario 67 DF Akinwale Odimayo -- DF Harry Philby -- DF Thomas McIntyre -- MF Ethan Coleman -- MF Samuel Faniyan Under - 18 squad ( edit ) Main article : Reading F.C. Under - 18s and Academy Note : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality . No . Position Player -- GK James Hilson -- GK Adam Desbois -- DF Jamal Balogun -- DF Marcel Elva - Fountaine -- DF Emmanuel Obamakinwa -- DF Joseph Wilson -- DF Roberto Nditi -- MF Oli Pendlebury -- MF Khalid Simmo No . Position Player -- MF Thierry Nevers -- MF Kosta Sparta -- MF Charlie Lawrence -- MF Jacob Pemberton -- MF Terrance Saydee -- MF Jazz Wallace -- FW Josh Obioma -- FW Leon Okuboyejo Out on loan ( edit ) Note : Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality . No . Position Player 28 DF Danzell Gravenberch ( at Roeselare on a season long loan ) 35 DF Jake Sheppard ( at Guiseley on a season long loan ) 39 MF Josh Barrett ( at Coventry City on a season long loan ) 59 FW Conor Davis ( at Gosport Borough ) -- GK Jonathan Bond ( at Peterborough United until end of 2017 / 18 season ) -- GK Luke Southwood ( at Bath City until end of 2017 / 18 season ) No . Position Player -- GK Lewis Ward ( at Aldershot Town until 4th March 2018 ) -- MF Sandro Wieser ( at Roeselare on a season long loan ) -- FW Yakou Méïte ( at Sochaux on a season long loan ) -- FW Deniss Rakels ( at Lech Poznań on a season long loan ) -- FW Andrija Novakovich ( at Telstar on a season long loan ) Records and statistics ( edit ) Main article : List of Reading F.C. records and statistics Reading 's progress through the English football league system from 1920 to present . 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 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 . Reading finished champions of their division on both of these occasions . The club 's largest win was a 10 -- 2 victory over Crystal Palace on 4 September 1946 in the Football League Third Division South . Reading 's heaviest loss was an 18 -- 0 defeat against Preston North End in the FA Cup 1st round on 27 January 1894 . 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 . The most capped player is Kevin Doyle , who earned 26 for the Republic of Ireland whilst at the club . 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 . The player with the most league goals in a game is Arthur Bacon with six against Stoke City in 1930 -- 31 . The first Reading - based player to play in the FIFA World Cup was Bobby Convey in 2006 with the United States . 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 . Reading 's highest attendance at Elm Park was in 1927 , when 33,042 spectators watched Reading defeat Brentford 1 -- 0 . 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 . The most expensive player Reading have ever bought was Sone Aluko , who cost £ 7.5 million from Fulham on 29 August 2017 . Gylfi Sigurðsson will become the first player from the Reading FC academy to feature in a World Cup by being expected to participate with Iceland in the 2018 Russia World Cup . Notable players ( edit ) In 1999 , Reading commissioned a poll of the supporters ' `` Player of the Millennium '' to determine the club 's best ever player . Pos . Player Robin Friday Trevor Senior Steve Death Shaka Hislop 5 Phil Parkinson 6 Alf Messer 7 Jimmy Quinn 8 Michael Gilkes 9 Ronnie Blackman 10 Martin Hicks 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 Club officials ( edit ) Board of Directors & Senior Club Staff Chief Executive : Ron Gourlay Commercial Director : Adam Benson Club Secretary : Sue Hewett Financial Controller : Bryan Stabler Directors : Sir John Madejski ( Co Chairman ) , Sasima Srivikorn ( Co Chairwoman ) , Nigel Howe , Narin Niruttinanon , Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth , Taweesuk Srisumrid and Theekharoj Piamphongsarn Management team Director of Football : Brian Tevreden First Team Manager : Jaap Stam Assistant Manager : Andries Ulderink & Said Bakkati First Team Coach : Michael Gilkes Goalkeeping Coach : Dave Beasant First Team Sports Scientist : Tristan Baker First Team Physio : Jon Urwin Academy Manager : Lee Herron Assistant Academy Manager : David Dodds Academy Loan Manager : Mikele Leigertwood Kit Manager : Stewart Bannister First Team Head Scout : Steve Shorey Masseur : Dan Buchanan Managers ( edit ) Main article : List of Reading F.C. managers 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 . Honours ( edit ) For more details on this topic , see List of Reading F.C. records and statistics . English 2nd tier : Winners : ( 2 ) 2006 , 2012 Runners Up : ( 1 ) 1995 English 3rd tier : Winners : ( 3 ) 1926 , 1986 , 1994 Runners Up : ( 5 ) 1932 , 1935 , 1949 , 1952 , 2002 English 4th tier : Winners : ( 1 ) 1979 Full Members Cup : Winners : ( 1 ) 1988 London War Cup : Winners : ( 1 ) 1941 Football League Third Division South Cup : Winners : ( 1 ) 1938 FA Cup : Semi-finalists : 1927 , 2015 Quarter Finalists : 1901 , 2010 , 2011 , 2016 Football League Cup : Quarter - finalists : 1996 , 1998 U21 Premier League Cup Winners : ( 1 ) 2013 -- 14 Highest league finish : Premier League 2007 , 8th Place Managerial ( edit ) LMA Manager of the Year Steve Coppell 2005 -- 06 , 2006 -- 07 LMA Championship Manager of the Year Brian McDermott 2011 -- 12 Affiliated clubs ( edit ) Albion Hurricanes FC ( 2010 -- present ) Boreham Wood ( 2012 -- present ) Charlotte United FC ( 2007 -- present ) Ernakulam Eagles ( 2013 -- present ) Galatasaray ( 2013 -- present ) Ocean City Nor'easters ( 2008 -- present ) South Georgia United ( 2008 -- present ) References ( edit ) Jump up ^ `` Madejski Stadium information '' . readingfc.co.uk . Retrieved 14 April 2011 . ^ Jump up to : `` The History of Reading Football Club '' . readingfc.co.uk. 2 May 2010 . Archived from the original on 4 February 2010 . Retrieved 29 November 2010 . Jump up ^ Discover gems of our heritage Archived 7 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. , Reading Chronicle , 10 September 2009 . Jump up ^ `` Elm Park Reading '' . Old Football Grounds . Archived from the original on 30 June 2009 . Retrieved 24 January 2012 . Jump up ^ `` The Reading FC Tour of Italy 1913 '' . November 2002 . Archived from the original on 11 October 2012 . Retrieved 22 August 2006 . Jump up ^ `` Season 1991 -- 92 '' . Royals ' Record . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Walsall break Reading hearts '' . BBC Sport . BBC . 27 May 2001 . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Pardew free to join Hammers '' . BBC Sport . BBC . 18 September 2003 . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Coppell seals Reading deal '' . BBC Sport . BBC . 9 October 2003 . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Championship Table 2005 - 06 '' . football365. 11 July 2006 . Archived from the original on 29 September 2007 . Retrieved 25 June 2007 . Jump up ^ `` 2006 -- 07 Barclays Premier League Table '' . ESPNsoccernet . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Royals need at least a draw on Sunday to have any chance of a European spot '' . Reading Football Club . 13 May 2007 . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Peace Cup diary '' . BBC Berkshire . 19 July 2007 . Retrieved 24 July 2007 . Jump up ^ Ive , Ive ( 16 May 2008 ) . `` Murty 's big game is hit by relegation '' . Reading Post . Trinity Mirror . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Coca - Cola Football League Championship 2008 -- 2009 '' . football365 . Archived from the original on 12 August 2009 . Retrieved 28 February 2010 . Jump up ^ `` Burnley 1 -- 0 Reading '' . BBC Sport. 9 May 2009 . Retrieved 9 May 2009 . Jump up ^ Ley , John ( 4 June 2009 ) . `` Brendan Rodgers new Reading manager '' . London : The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 10 August 2009 . Jump up ^ `` McDermott as Caretaker '' . readingfc.co.uk. 16 December 2009 . Jump up ^ `` Man City 1 -- 0 Reading '' . BBC News . 13 March 2011 . Retrieved 28 May 2011 . Jump up ^ `` League Tables '' . The Football League . Retrieved 28 May 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Cardiff 0 -- 3 Reading ( agg 0 -- 3 ) '' . BBC News . 17 May 2011 . Retrieved 28 May 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Wembley tickets sold , season ticket update '' . readingfc.co.uk . Retrieved 28 May 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Reading 1 -- 0 Nottingham Forest '' . BBC Sport . BBC . 17 April 2012 . Retrieved 25 April 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Reading 2 -- 1 Everton '' . BBC Sport. 17 November 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Brian McDermott leaves position as Reading manager '' . BBC Sport. 11 March 2013 . Retrieved 11 March 2013 . ^ Jump up to : `` Old Reading colours '' . Historical Football Kits . Retrieved 14 January 2010 . Jump up ^ `` Vote to choose the new Royals badge '' . Reading Evening Post . 27 November 1995 . Retrieved 23 January 2015 . Jump up ^ `` New crest design '' . onlysport.co.uk . Retrieved 23 January 2015 . ^ Jump up to : Yeo ( 1976 , p. 192 ) ^ Jump up to : Yeo ( 1976 , p. 193 ) Jump up ^ Royals Record ( 2011a ) . `` Reading 's Grounds '' . Royals Record . Retrieved 3 June 2011 . ^ Jump up to : 1871 ( 2003 ) . `` The Home Grounds of Reading FC '' . 1871 -- The Ultimate Reading FC Website . Archived from the original on 22 June 2012 . Retrieved 2 June 2011 . ^ Jump up to : Digby ( 2001 , p. 46 ) Jump up ^ Loader , Graham ( 1998 ) . `` READING 0 Norwich City 1 '' . Hob Nob Anyone ? . Retrieved 2 June 2011 . Jump up ^ Loader , Graham ( 1998 ) . `` Reading 3 Luton Town 0 ( 22 August 1998 , Madejski Stadium ) '' . Hob Nob Anyone ? . Retrieved 13 August 2015 . Jump up ^ `` Stadium pitch has been lengthened '' . readingfc.co.uk. 2 July 2007 . Retrieved 2 July 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Royals ready to extend Madejski '' . BBC Sport. 21 September 2006 . Retrieved 28 January 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Plans for stadium expansion will be submitted to the Council later this week '' ( Press release ) . Reading F.C. 22 January 2007 . Retrieved 28 January 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Committee Report by the Director of Environment Culture & Sport '' ( PDF ) . Reading Borough Council Planning Applications Committee . 23 May 2007 . Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 6 April 2008 . Retrieved 31 May 2007 . Jump up ^ `` The Eamonn Dolan Stand '' . readingfc.co.uk . Reading F.C. 5 July 2016 . Retrieved 5 July 2016 . Jump up ^ `` Loyal Royals ' number is up ! '' . readingfc.co.uk. 6 August 2001 . Retrieved 26 January 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Fans given thumbs up for Number 13 '' . readingfc.co.uk. 9 August 2001 . Retrieved 26 January 2007 . Jump up ^ `` No 6 . Reading '' . The Guardian . London . 21 February 2001 . Retrieved 22 May 2010 . Jump up ^ Reading FC vs Aldershot 14 / 07 / 01 . Royals.org ( 14 July 2001 ) . Retrieved on 2013 - 07 - 17 . Jump up ^ `` Didcot Triangle / Wallingford Quadrangle '' . Archived from the original on 24 October 2012 . Retrieved 22 February 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Didcot Triangle '' . Retrieved 19 June 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Rivalry Uncovered '' ( PDF ) . The Football Fans Census . p. 6 . Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 4 March 2009 . Retrieved 11 April 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Waitrose announces two - year extension of Reading FC sponsorship '' . waitrose.presscentre.com . Retrieved 18 April 2011 . Jump up ^ `` '' เรดดิ ง '' เซ็น `` คารา บา ว แดง '' ส ปอน เซอร์ คา ดอก เสื้อ `` . manager.co.th . Retrieved 23 June 2015 . Thai : ภาษา ไทย Jump up ^ `` Royals welcome Thai Airways on board '' . http://www.readingfc.co.uk/ . Reading FC. 29 June 2015 . Retrieved 29 June 2015 . External link in website = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` Reading FC sign Carabao as Principal Partner until 2019 '' . readingfc.co.uk . Reading FC. 17 June 2016 . Retrieved 17 June 2016 . ^ Jump up to : `` Club Honours and Records '' . Reading F.C. 11 July 2012 . Retrieved 15 September 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Points record '' . The Football League . Archived from the original on 10 February 2012 . Retrieved 7 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Reading 2 -- 1 QPR '' . BBC Sport. 30 April 2006 . Retrieved 4 May 2006 . Jump up ^ `` Reading Internationals '' . Royals ' Record . Retrieved 6 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` United stretch lead after Van der Sar record '' . CNN world sport . Cable News Network . 31 January 2009 . Retrieved 19 April 2012 . Jump up ^ van Eijden , Han ( 2011 ) . `` Elm Park Reading '' . Old Football Grounds . Archived from the original on 30 June 2009 . Retrieved 1 June 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Sigurdsson leaving in Club record deal '' . Reading Football Club . 31 August 2010 . Retrieved 6 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Fae joins for club record fee '' . 2 August 2007 . Archived from the original on 16 June 2007 . Retrieved 3 August 2007 . Jump up ^ `` Player of the Millennium vote '' . Reading F.C. 5 September 2008 . Archived from the original on 18 September 2009 . Retrieved 18 August 2009 . Jump up ^ `` Russian tycoon Anton Zingarevich completes Reading takeover '' . BBC News . 29 May 2012 . Retrieved 29 May 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Reading F.C. `` The Management '' `` . Reading F.C . Retrieved 20 February 2012 . Jump up ^ `` RFC Academy staff list '' . Reading F.C. 13 February 2012 . Retrieved 20 February 2012 . Jump up ^ `` More first team staff profiles '' . Reading F.C. 20 September 2011 . Retrieved 20 February 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Reading : Royals to add four new staff '' . Reading FC Official Website. 25 June 2015 . Retrieved 25 June 2015 . Jump up ^ `` Jaap Stam appointed as manager '' . readingfc.co.uk . Reading F.C. 13 June 2016 . Retrieved 13 June 2016 . Jump up ^ http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2772976,00.html Jump up ^ https://secure.albionhurricanes.org/index.cfm?pg=ReadingFC Jump up ^ Partnership with Reading FC `` BWFC . * Borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk . Retrieved on 17 July 2013 Jump up ^ `` Charlotte United F.C '' . charlotteunited.com . Jump up ^ Ernakulam Eagles sign MoU with Reading -- Times Of India . Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com ( 29 April 2013 ) . Retrieved on 2013 - 07 - 17 . Jump up ^ Turkish partnership . Readingfc.co.uk ( 27 February 2013 ) . Retrieved on 17 July 2013 Jump up ^ unveils new name : Nor'easters Archived 26 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine ... Ocean City FC . Retrieved on 17 July 2013 . Jump up ^ HOW SOUTH GEORGIA UNITED BECAME A READING FC AFFILIATE CLUB . South Georgia United . Retrieved on 5 June 2014 . Bibliography ( edit ) Digby , Bob ( 2001 ) . It 's a World Thing . Oxford , Oxfordshire : Oxford University Press . ISBN 978 - 0 - 19 - 913428 - 1 . Retrieved 2 June 2011 . Yeo , Stephen ( 1976 ) . Religion and Voluntary Organisations in Crisis . Abingdon , Oxfordshire : Taylor & Francis . ISBN 978 - 0 - 85664 - 017 - 9 . Retrieved 1 June 2011 . External links ( edit ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to Reading F.C. . Official website Supporters ' Trust At Reading Reading F.C. on BBC Sport : Club news -- Recent results -- Upcoming fixtures Reading Football Club Current season Under - 21s & Academy Records & Statistics Honours History History Seasons Thames Valley Royals proposal Grounds Elm Park ( 1896 -- 1998 ) Madejski Stadium ( 1998 -- present ) People Managers Players with 1 -- 24 appearances 25 -- 99 appearances 100 + appearances Internationals Player of the Season Notable matches Level 2 play - off finals 1995 2011 2017 Level 3 play - off finals Full Members ' Cup finals 1988 Other matches Portsmouth 7 -- 4 Reading Related articles Hob Nob Anyone ? Supporters ' Trust At Reading Reading Women Marussia F1 Book : Reading F.C. Category : Reading F.C. Portal : Association football Commons : Reading F.C. Reading F.C. seasons 1940 -- 41 1941 -- 42 1942 -- 43 1943 -- 44 1944 -- 45 1945 -- 46 1946 -- 47 1947 -- 48 1948 -- 49 1949 -- 50 1950 -- 51 1951 -- 52 1952 -- 53 1953 -- 54 1954 -- 55 1955 -- 56 1956 -- 57 1957 -- 58 1958 -- 59 1959 -- 60 1960 -- 61 1961 -- 62 1962 -- 63 1963 -- 64 1964 -- 65 1965 -- 66 1966 -- 67 1967 -- 68 1968 -- 69 1969 -- 70 1970 -- 71 1971 -- 72 1972 -- 73 1973 -- 74 1974 -- 75 1975 -- 76 1976 -- 77 1977 -- 78 1978 -- 79 1979 -- 80 1980 -- 81 1981 -- 82 1982 -- 83 1983 -- 84 1984 -- 85 1985 -- 86 1986 -- 87 1987 -- 88 1988 -- 89 1989 -- 90 1990 -- 91 1991 -- 92 1992 -- 93 1993 -- 94 1994 -- 95 1995 -- 96 1996 -- 97 1997 -- 98 1998 -- 99 1999 -- 2000 2000 -- 01 2001 -- 02 2002 -- 03 2003 -- 04 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2009 -- 10 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 EFL Championship 2017 -- 18 teams Aston Villa Barnsley Birmingham City Bolton Wanderers Brentford Bristol City Burton Albion Cardiff City Derby County Fulham Hull City Ipswich Town Leeds United Middlesbrough Millwall Norwich City Nottingham Forest Preston North End Queens Park Rangers Reading Sheffield United Sheffield Wednesday Sunderland Wolverhampton Wanderers Former clubs AFC Bournemouth Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Brighton & Hove Albion Burnley Charlton Athletic Colchester United Coventry City Crewe Alexandra Crystal Palace Doncaster Rovers Gillingham Huddersfield Town Leicester City Luton Town Milton Keynes Dons Newcastle United Oldham Athletic Peterborough United Plymouth Argyle Portsmouth Rotherham United Scunthorpe United Southampton Southend United Stoke City Swansea City Swindon Town Watford West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Wigan Athletic Yeovil Town Competition Seasons Teams ( winners ) Players ( foreign ) ( International Caps ) Managers ( current ) Stadia Referees Statistics and awards Record EFL Awards Golden Boot Golden Glove Manager of the Month Player of the Month Hat - tricks Young Player of the Month Finances Club Owners Premier League -- Football League gulf Sponsors Coca - Cola ( 2004 -- 10 ) Npower ( 2010 -- 13 ) Sky Bet ( 2013 -- 18 ) Associated competitions FA Cup EFL Cup Play - offs Seasons 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2009 -- 10 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 Prospects Promotion to Premier League ; Relegation to EFL League One Premier League Seasons 1992 -- 93 1993 -- 94 1994 -- 95 1995 -- 96 1996 -- 97 1997 -- 98 1998 -- 99 1999 -- 2000 2000 -- 01 2001 -- 02 2002 -- 03 2003 -- 04 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2009 -- 10 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 Clubs 2017 -- 18 AFC Bournemouth Arsenal Brighton & Hove Albion Burnley Chelsea Crystal Palace Everton Huddersfield Town Leicester City Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle United Southampton Stoke City Swansea City Tottenham Hotspur Watford West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Former Aston Villa Barnsley Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Bolton Wanderers Bradford City Cardiff City Charlton Athletic Coventry City Derby County Fulham Hull City Ipswich Town Leeds United Middlesbrough Norwich City Nottingham Forest Oldham Athletic Portsmouth Queens Park Rangers Reading Sheffield United Sheffield Wednesday Sunderland Swindon Town Wigan Athletic Wimbledon Wolverhampton Wanderers Competition Teams winners Players foreign foreign scorers winners Managers current Stadia Founding Broadcasting foundation Broadcasters Referees Statistics and awards Records All - time table Hat - tricks Highest scores Golden Boot Golden Glove Manager of the Season Player of the Season Manager of the Month Player of the Month Goal of the Month Players with 500 + appearances Players with 100 + goals Top scorers by season Goalkeepers with 100 + clean sheets 10 Seasons Awards 20 Seasons Awards Finances Richest clubs : Deloitte list Forbes ' list Team owners Transfer records Game 39 Premier League -- Football League gulf Associated competitions Asia Trophy FA Community Shield FA Cup EFL Cup UEFA Champions League UEFA Europa League Premier League 2 U18 Premier League Premier League International Cup Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reading_F.C.&oldid=819311942 '' Categories : Reading F.C. Association football clubs established in 1871 Sport in Reading , Berkshire Premier League clubs English Football League clubs Southern Football League clubs 1871 establishments in England Football clubs in Berkshire Football clubs in England Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Articles containing Thai - language text CS1 errors : external links Wikipedia indefinitely move - protected pages Use British English from January 2013 Use dmy dates from December 2014 Pages using deprecated image syntax Pages using Template : Football kit with incorrect pattern parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Articles including recorded pronunciations ( English ) Talk Contents About Wikipedia বাংলা Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца )  Български Bosanski Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska Italiano עברית Latviešu Lëtzebuergesch Lietuvių Magyar Македонски मराठी Bahasa Melayu Baso Minangkabau Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Polski Português Română Русский Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 8 January 2018 , at 17 : 49 . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply . By using this site , you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation , Inc. , a non-profit organization . About Wikipedia

Question: who is the owner of reading football club