Reading F.C. season 2007-08
Encyclopedia
Reading Football Club played the season 2007–08 in the Premier League; only the second top flight campaign in the club's history. The team suffered a poor run of form from January, and suffered relegation on the final day of the season, as Fulham
's victory at Portsmouth saw Reading finish in 18th place.
travelled to South Korea
to play in the 2007 Peace Cup
. Reading lost to River Plate
, won against Lyon
and Shimizu S-Pulse
, and came second in Group B on goal difference.
In Didcot
, a Reading XI won 2-0, followed by a 6-1 hammering of Brentford
. Reading went away to Brighton & Hove Albion
and won 3-1, then a Reading XI drew 1-1 at a rescheduled game at Tooting & Mitcham United
. Reading's final pre-season game was against Wolverhampton Wanderers
at Molineux
, which Reading won 3-2.
, to play Manchester United
. Reading secured a creditable 0-0 draw, despite losing Dave Kitson
to a red card just seconds after the player had entered the game as a substitute; Kitson was dismissed for a lunge on Patrice Evra
.
Reading's first home game of the season was a midweek fixture with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea
. Reading dominated the first half, and led at half-time through André Bikey
's first goal for the club, smashed home after Petr Čech
and Steve Sidwell
collided in the Chelsea penalty area. Chelsea scored two quick goals, however, in the second half, to win the game 2-1, and Reading again had a player sent off, Kalifa Cissé, this time for two yellow cards.
The following Saturday, Reading gained a badly needed win against Everton
. Stephen Hunt converted from a looping throw-in in the first-half, and Reading secured a 1-0 victory. In their final league fixture of the month, an injury-hit Reading, without Nicky Shorey
and Graeme Murty
in defence, lost 3-0 at Bolton Wanderers
.
On 28 August, Reading began their League Cup
campaign with a 1-0 victory away to League One
Swansea City
. Reading again played some of the match with only 10 men, after Sam Sodje
was red-carded in the 58th minute, but Leroy Lita
struck the winning goal in extra-time, converting a Dave Kitson cross.
, having won last season's corresponding fixture 6-0. Two goals from Matthew Etherington
, however, helped West Ham to a 3-0 victory, as Reading's defence continued to struggle. Another defeat followed at newly-promoted Sunderland
, Dave Kitson scoring a late consolation from a Nicky Shorey cross, as Sunderland won 2-1.
Reading returned to winning ways on 22 September, and moved out of the relegation places with a 2-1 home victory over Wigan Athletic
, Dave Kitson becoming the first Royal to score multiple times in the season, and James Harper with a late winner. The next league match was an away loss to Portsmouth
in an 11 goal thriller, the highest goal scoring game in the history of the Premier League to date. While the two sides were equal at 2-2 early in the second half, Pompey went on to a decisive 7-4 victory. Benjani Mwaruwari
scored a hat trick for the home squad in this wild match, which included a missed penalty by Nicky Shorey and scoring by Dave Kitson, Liam Rosinor, Shane Long and Nicky Shorey (later given as a Sol Campbell own goal).
Again, Reading played one cup fixture in the month. Despite a spirited showing by a number of reserves, they lost 4-2 to Liverpool
at home in the Carling Cup third round, with Fernando Torres
scoring a hat trick. John Halls
and Bobby Convey
scored Reading's goals.
on 7 October. In what proved to be a scrappy affair Reading came out with a 1-0 victory through a Kevin Doyle
goal; Derby did not manage a shot on target the whole game.
Next followed an away game against Blackburn Rovers
on 20 October after the international break, Reading's defensive frailties away from home showed once again as they went down 4-2, Kevin Doyle netted twice after coming on as a substitute while Benni McCarthy
scored twice with Roque Santa Cruz
and Tugay Kerimoğlu
getting the other two goals for Blackburn.
Reading finished October with a home game against Newcastle United
, Reading took the lead courtesy of a 53rd minute Dave Kitson goal but a clumsy Michael Duberry
own goal in the 76th minute looked to have rescued a point for the Magpies, however a moment of tactical brilliance by Steve Coppell
resulted in the winning goal. Shane Long
was brought on in the 84th minute to promptly score the winning goal on his second touch of the ball.
with hopes of a second consecutive league win for the first time in the season. A laboured performance, however, saw Fulham
win the game 3-1, after Kevin Doyle's second-half equaliser had put the Royals back in it.
On 12 November, Reading hosted unbeaten Arsenal
under the Madejski Stadium
floodlights, and were soundly beaten 3-1, Nicky Shorey slotting home a late consolation after substitute Shane Long had headed against the bar. The result ended a run of three consecutive home victories, and cemented the five-point gap in the table between Newcastle in 11th (on 18 points), and Reading in 12th (on 13 points).
Reading rounded up November with an away trip to Manchester City
, many saw this game as a certain victory for the home team considering both City's home record and Reading's away record. City took the lead thanks to an 11th minute goal by Martin Petrov
only to be cancelled out just before half time by a well struck James Harper goal in the 43rd minute. Reading looked set to earn a hard-fought point but their hopes were dashed by a 94th minute Stephen Ireland
strike. This result was Reading's sixth consecutive away defeat as they remained winless on the road.
at home on 1 December; after an entirely forgettable first half, Dave Kitson gave Reading the lead, superbly lobbing Ross Turnbull
. But with seven minutes remaining, Middlesbrough's Tuncay Şanlı
headed home Luke Young's cross for his first goal for Boro. The game concluded with a 1-1 draw which is what Reading required to stay out of the relegation zone.
8 December saw an impressive and unexpected win for Reading over Liverpool. With a controversial penalty after Jamie Carragher
fouled Brynjar Gunnarsson
in the corner of the box, Stephen Hunt put the ball into the back of the goal, with José Reina not standing a chance. Steven Gerrard
eventually equalised after many failed Liverpool attacks before and after from Fernando Torres. A free kick was eventually awarded to Reading following an unsuccessful tackle by Gerrard, which Nicky Shorey floated into the area, and Kevin Doyle headed in. James Harper scored a fine third and Reading, with the help of the post, kept the Reds at bay for the remainder of the match.
Following a 1-1 draw away to Birmingham City
, in which Stephen Hunt earned Reading a point with his second goal from the penalty spot in two games, Reading scraped a controversial victory over Sunderland at the Madejski Stadium. Leading through an Ívar Ingimarsson
goal, Reading conceded a penalty when Ibrahima Sonko
appeared to trip Kenwyne Jones
. In the final minute, Stephen Hunt poked a Shane Long cross towards goal, and Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon
appeared to palm the ball away. The assistant referee gave a goal, however, and Reading celebrated a 2-1 victory.
On Boxing Day, Reading travelled to West Ham, leaving Upton Park
with a creditable 1-1 draw, Dave Kitson equalising Nolberto Solano
's opener after Brynjar Gunnarsson had been sent off for a two-footed challenge on West Ham's Hayden Mullins
.
Reading's final game of 2007 was against Tottenham Hotspur
at White Hart Lane
, where the teams threatened to eclipse the 11 goals in Reading's match at Portsmouth earlier in the season. Tottenham won the match 6-4, although Reading led three times in the second half, with goals from Kalifa Cissé and Ívar Ingimarsson and two from Dave Kitson. Tottenham controversially regained the lead after Jermain Defoe
headed home Robbie Keane
's saved penalty, Defoe having been two yards inside the penalty area when the kick was taken.
on 1 January, for fouling Benjani Mwaruwari
in the penalty area
. Niko Kranjčar
missed the resultant penalty, but Sol Campbell
bundled the ball over the line a few minutes later after a mistake from Marcus Hahnemann. Reading failed to make much impact against Portsmouth after that, and the extra work-rate required due to being a man down showed in the second half when John Utaka
outpaced Nicky Shorey for a second goal after 66 minutes to give the visitors a 2–0 victory.
Just a week after losing 6–4 to Tottenham Hotspur in the league, Reading had an opportunity to give a better account of themselves in a FA Cup
Third Round match at White Hart Lane. Fielding effectively a reserve team
, Reading earned a replay at Madejski Stadium through a 2–2 draw and another two goals for Stephen Hunt.
Reading returned to league action at Villa Park
, and despite an injury to Michael Duberry, and the absence of Ibrahima Sonko and André Bikey to the African Cup of Nations
, Steve Coppell opted to play Brynjar Gunnarsson in defence in first half, and Kalifa Cissé in the second half, despite the availability of reserves team captain Alex Pearce
. Reading fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Villa, James Harper scoring a late consolation goal for the Royals.
Soon Reading played Tottenham Hotspur again in the 3rd Round Replay at home. Robbie Keane scored the only goal as Tottenham Hotspur went to win 1-0 and go into the hat in the 4th Round Draw.
Next Reading played Manchester United at the Madejski Stadium, despite a spirited performance Man U broke the deadlock on 77 minutes with a goal from Wayne Rooney, then in injury time Ronaldo wrapped up the points condemning Reading to their 5th straight defeat.
Reading then played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominated the match and took a deserved 1-0 lead curtosey of a 33rd minute goal from Michael Ballack, despite numerous chances that proved to be the final score.
and Kevin Nolan
. After a seventh straight Premiership loss to Everton, Reading dropped into the relegation zone.
Reading went to Everton trying to get a win. Everton proved too strong and beat Reading 1-0 through a Phil Jagielka
goal just after the hour mark.
Reading's next game was at home to Aston Villa
. Shorey scored their first goal for five matches in the 90th minute for the Royals, but it was all to late as Villa had scored 2 goals earlier on in the match through Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood
and so Reading lost 2-1.
Reading beat Manchester City 2-0, at home, to make it 6 points out of 6. Shane Long and substitute Dave Kitson scored for Reading.
Reading soon went to Liverpool. Reading went 1-0 up after a screamer from Marek Matejovsky. Liverpool won the game 2-1 in the end. In their next game, Reading beat Birmingham 2-1, as Bikey scored both goals for Reading, making Mauro Zarate
's equaliser trivial. Reading drew against Blackburn in their final game in March, Marek Matejovsky being controversially sent off for two yellow cards.
in the league. The Royals were beaten 3-0 with goals from: Obafemi Martins (18), Michael Owen (43) and Mark Viduka (57). This was only the start of a bad month for the Royals.
Reading played fellow relegation rivals, Fulham
at home. 24,221 fans saw a 2-0 defeat as Brian McBride score with in 25 minutes. The Royals' day was over when Fulham sub, Erik Nevland, scored a 90th minute goal to see the Reading's hopes of staying up getting harder by the game.
Arsenal
away was next. The Royals were not on form on the road and it showed. Reading lost 2-0 to the Gunners, Emmanuel Adebayor (30) and Gilberto Silva scored.
Wigan Athletic
, away, was next up for the Royals. The bore draw was a fair result for these sides. If Reading lost their next game they could have been in the drop zone...
first half goal was enough to seal all three points for Tottenham, for whom Radek Černý
made an important late save from a Liam Rosenior
shot.
Reading were relegated to the Championship
on the final day of the season, despite securing a 4-0 victory away to Derby
. Reading's strikers found their form a little too late, as Dave Kitson
, Kevin Doyle
and Leroy Lita
all added to James Harper's first-half goal. Fulham
beat Portsmouth in their final game of the season to condemn Reading to relegation. Reading's fate was confirmed when Portsmouth
lost to Fulham
1-0.
Last updated: 16:19, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
, and the main sponsor was Kyocera
.
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
's victory at Portsmouth saw Reading finish in 18th place.
Pre-season
ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
travelled to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
to play in the 2007 Peace Cup
Peace Cup
thumb|right|400px|The opening ceremony of 2003 competitionThe Peace Cup is an invitational pre-season friendly football tournament for club teams, currently held every two years by the Sunmoon Peace Football Foundation. It is contested by the eight clubs from several continents, though 12 teams...
. Reading lost to River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
, won against Lyon
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais is a French association football club based in Lyon. They play in France's highest football division, Ligue 1. The club was formed as Lyon Olympique Universitaire in 1899, according to many supporters and sport historians, but was nationally established as a club in 1950. The...
and Shimizu S-Pulse
Shimizu S-Pulse
is a professional Japanese association football club. Located in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Shizuoka Prefecture, S-Pulse currently competes in the J. League Division 1 . Formed as recently as 1991, S-Pulse are one of the youngest professional teams in Japan, but are among only five to have competed in...
, and came second in Group B on goal difference.
In Didcot
Didcot
Didcot is a town and civil parish in Oxfordshire about south of Oxford. Until 1974 it was in Berkshire, but was transferred to Oxfordshire in that year, and from Wallingford Rural District to the district of South Oxfordshire...
, a Reading XI won 2-0, followed by a 6-1 hammering of Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. Reading went away to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
and won 3-1, then a Reading XI drew 1-1 at a rescheduled game at Tooting & Mitcham United
Tooting & Mitcham United F.C.
Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club are a semi-professional association football club representing the south-west London areas of Tooting and Mitcham, within the London Borough of Merton. The club's stadium, Imperial Fields is located in Morden. The club are nicknamed The Terrors or...
. Reading's final pre-season game was against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
, which Reading won 3-2.
August
A tough start to the Premier League season saw Reading travel to Old TraffordOld Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, to play Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Reading secured a creditable 0-0 draw, despite losing Dave Kitson
Dave Kitson
David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:...
to a red card just seconds after the player had entered the game as a substitute; Kitson was dismissed for a lunge on Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
.
Reading's first home game of the season was a midweek fixture with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. Reading dominated the first half, and led at half-time through André Bikey
André Bikey
André Stéphane Bikey-Amougou is a Cameroonian footballer, who currently plays for Burnley and the Cameroon national team. He can play in the centre of defence or at right back. He began his career in Spain at the age of fifteen, before having short spells in Russia with Shinnik Yaroslavl and...
's first goal for the club, smashed home after Petr Čech
Petr Cech
Petr Čech is a Czech footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Czech Republic as a goalkeeper. Čech previously played for Viktoria Plzeň, Chmel Blšany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes. He was voted into the all-star team of Euro 2004 after helping his country reach the semi-finals...
and Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
collided in the Chelsea penalty area. Chelsea scored two quick goals, however, in the second half, to win the game 2-1, and Reading again had a player sent off, Kalifa Cissé, this time for two yellow cards.
The following Saturday, Reading gained a badly needed win against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. Stephen Hunt converted from a looping throw-in in the first-half, and Reading secured a 1-0 victory. In their final league fixture of the month, an injury-hit Reading, without Nicky Shorey
Nicky Shorey
Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:...
and Graeme Murty
Graeme Murty
Graeme Stuart Murty is a footballer. He has made more than 400 appearances in the Football League playing for York City, Reading, Charlton Athletic and Southampton...
in defence, lost 3-0 at Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
On 28 August, Reading began their League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
campaign with a 1-0 victory away to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. Reading again played some of the match with only 10 men, after Sam Sodje
Sam Sodje
Samuel Okeremute Sodje is an English-born Nigerian footballer who plays as a defender for Notts County. Sodje also represents Nigeria at international level.-Early years:...
was red-carded in the 58th minute, but Leroy Lita
Leroy Lita
Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita , is a Congolese-born English footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side...
struck the winning goal in extra-time, converting a Dave Kitson cross.
September
Reading fans could have been forgiven for expecting a victory from the opening league fixture in the month at home to West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, having won last season's corresponding fixture 6-0. Two goals from Matthew Etherington
Matthew Etherington
Matthew Etherington is an English footballer. Etherington, a left-sided midfielder and winger, plays for Premier League club Stoke City....
, however, helped West Ham to a 3-0 victory, as Reading's defence continued to struggle. Another defeat followed at newly-promoted Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, Dave Kitson scoring a late consolation from a Nicky Shorey cross, as Sunderland won 2-1.
Reading returned to winning ways on 22 September, and moved out of the relegation places with a 2-1 home victory over Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, Dave Kitson becoming the first Royal to score multiple times in the season, and James Harper with a late winner. The next league match was an away loss to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in an 11 goal thriller, the highest goal scoring game in the history of the Premier League to date. While the two sides were equal at 2-2 early in the second half, Pompey went on to a decisive 7-4 victory. Benjani Mwaruwari
Benjani Mwaruwari
Benjamin Mwaruwari , known as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for Portsmouth in the Football League Championship, where he plays as a striker....
scored a hat trick for the home squad in this wild match, which included a missed penalty by Nicky Shorey and scoring by Dave Kitson, Liam Rosinor, Shane Long and Nicky Shorey (later given as a Sol Campbell own goal).
Again, Reading played one cup fixture in the month. Despite a spirited showing by a number of reserves, they lost 4-2 to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at home in the Carling Cup third round, with Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
scoring a hat trick. John Halls
John Halls
John Halls is an English footballer who plays for Wycombe Wanderers. He is primarily a right-sided full back but is also capable of playing in midfield and other defensive positions.-Arsenal:...
and Bobby Convey
Bobby Convey
Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team...
scored Reading's goals.
October
Reading began the month with a home game against Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 7 October. In what proved to be a scrappy affair Reading came out with a 1-0 victory through a Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
goal; Derby did not manage a shot on target the whole game.
Next followed an away game against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
on 20 October after the international break, Reading's defensive frailties away from home showed once again as they went down 4-2, Kevin Doyle netted twice after coming on as a substitute while Benni McCarthy
Benni McCarthy
Benedict Saul "Benni" McCarthy is a South African footballer who is currently contracted to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.McCarthy holds the record of international goals for a South African...
scored twice with Roque Santa Cruz
Roque Santa Cruz
Roque Luis Santa Cruz Cantero is a Paraguayan footballer currently playing as a striker for La Liga club Real Betis on loan from Manchester City and the Paraguay national football team....
and Tugay Kerimoğlu
Tugay Kerimoglu
Tugay Kerimoğlu is a Turkish former footballer who played the majority of his career for Galatasaray and Blackburn Rovers. Primarily a deep-lying playmaker in midfield, he was also competent as an attacking midfielder or playing in the holding role.Continually recognised for his ability he was...
getting the other two goals for Blackburn.
Reading finished October with a home game against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, Reading took the lead courtesy of a 53rd minute Dave Kitson goal but a clumsy Michael Duberry
Michael Duberry
Michael Wayne Duberry is an English footballer who plays for League Two club Oxford United. He started his career with Premier League side Chelsea and also played for Leeds United, Reading, Stoke City, Bournemouth and St...
own goal in the 76th minute looked to have rescued a point for the Magpies, however a moment of tactical brilliance by Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
resulted in the winning goal. Shane Long
Shane Long
Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City...
was brought on in the 84th minute to promptly score the winning goal on his second touch of the ball.
November
Following victory over Newcastle United, Reading travelled to Craven CottageCraven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
with hopes of a second consecutive league win for the first time in the season. A laboured performance, however, saw Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
win the game 3-1, after Kevin Doyle's second-half equaliser had put the Royals back in it.
On 12 November, Reading hosted unbeaten Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
under the Madejski Stadium
Madejski Stadium
The Madejski Stadium is a stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The stadium is the home of Reading Football Club and to the rugby union club London Irish as tenants. It also provides the finish for the Reading Half Marathon...
floodlights, and were soundly beaten 3-1, Nicky Shorey slotting home a late consolation after substitute Shane Long had headed against the bar. The result ended a run of three consecutive home victories, and cemented the five-point gap in the table between Newcastle in 11th (on 18 points), and Reading in 12th (on 13 points).
Reading rounded up November with an away trip to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, many saw this game as a certain victory for the home team considering both City's home record and Reading's away record. City took the lead thanks to an 11th minute goal by Martin Petrov
Martin Petrov
Martin Petyov Petrov is a Bulgarian footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.-Club career:Petrov began his career for Botev Vratsa...
only to be cancelled out just before half time by a well struck James Harper goal in the 43rd minute. Reading looked set to earn a hard-fought point but their hopes were dashed by a 94th minute Stephen Ireland
Stephen Ireland
Stephen James Ireland is an Irish footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa.-Cobh Ramblers:...
strike. This result was Reading's sixth consecutive away defeat as they remained winless on the road.
December
The month of December saw an improvement for Reading. They met MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
at home on 1 December; after an entirely forgettable first half, Dave Kitson gave Reading the lead, superbly lobbing Ross Turnbull
Ross Turnbull
Ross Turnbull is an English footballer who is currently playing his club football for Chelsea as a goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League.-Early life:...
. But with seven minutes remaining, Middlesbrough's Tuncay Şanlı
Tuncay Sanli
Tuncay Şanlı , or simply Tuncay, is a Turkish footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers, on loan from VfL Wolfsburg.His natural position is as a striker, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing. Tuncay captains the Turkish national team...
headed home Luke Young's cross for his first goal for Boro. The game concluded with a 1-1 draw which is what Reading required to stay out of the relegation zone.
8 December saw an impressive and unexpected win for Reading over Liverpool. With a controversial penalty after Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher
James Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool...
fouled Brynjar Gunnarsson
Brynjar Gunnarsson
Brynjar Björn Gunnarsson is an Icelandic footballer who is currently playing his club football as a defensive midfielder for Reading in the N-Power Championship...
in the corner of the box, Stephen Hunt put the ball into the back of the goal, with José Reina not standing a chance. Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
eventually equalised after many failed Liverpool attacks before and after from Fernando Torres. A free kick was eventually awarded to Reading following an unsuccessful tackle by Gerrard, which Nicky Shorey floated into the area, and Kevin Doyle headed in. James Harper scored a fine third and Reading, with the help of the post, kept the Reds at bay for the remainder of the match.
Following a 1-1 draw away to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, in which Stephen Hunt earned Reading a point with his second goal from the penalty spot in two games, Reading scraped a controversial victory over Sunderland at the Madejski Stadium. Leading through an Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
goal, Reading conceded a penalty when Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:...
appeared to trip Kenwyne Jones
Kenwyne Jones
Kenwyne Joel Jones is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Stoke City and the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He previously played for Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday, W Connection and Joe Public.He began his football...
. In the final minute, Stephen Hunt poked a Shane Long cross towards goal, and Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon
Craig Gordon
Craig Sinclair Gordon is a Scottish footballer, currently playing as a goalkeeper for both Sunderland and the Scotland national team. He was a nominee for STV's Scotland's Greatest Ever Football Team in 2010....
appeared to palm the ball away. The assistant referee gave a goal, however, and Reading celebrated a 2-1 victory.
On Boxing Day, Reading travelled to West Ham, leaving Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
with a creditable 1-1 draw, Dave Kitson equalising Nolberto Solano
Nolberto Solano
Nolberto Albino "Nobby" Solano Todco is a Peruvian footballer who plays for Hartlepool United. He has spent much of his career in the English Premier League and also played 95 times for Peru between 1994 and 2009...
's opener after Brynjar Gunnarsson had been sent off for a two-footed challenge on West Ham's Hayden Mullins
Hayden Mullins
Hayden Ian Mullins is an English footballer who plays for Portsmouth. He plays as a sweeper and at right-back in addition to his preferred midfield-holding position.-Crystal Palace:...
.
Reading's final game of 2007 was against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
, where the teams threatened to eclipse the 11 goals in Reading's match at Portsmouth earlier in the season. Tottenham won the match 6-4, although Reading led three times in the second half, with goals from Kalifa Cissé and Ívar Ingimarsson and two from Dave Kitson. Tottenham controversially regained the lead after Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team....
headed home Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
's saved penalty, Defoe having been two yards inside the penalty area when the kick was taken.
January
2008 started badly for Reading as Ibrahima Sonko was sent off after only four minutes of a home match against PortsmouthPortsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 1 January, for fouling Benjani Mwaruwari
Benjani Mwaruwari
Benjamin Mwaruwari , known as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for Portsmouth in the Football League Championship, where he plays as a striker....
in the penalty area
Penalty area
The penalty area , is an area of an association football pitch. It is rectangular and extends to each side of the goal and in front of it. Within the penalty area is the penalty spot , which is from the goal line, directly in-line with the centre of the goal...
. Niko Kranjčar
Niko Kranjcar
Niko Kranjčar is a Croatian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur and the Croatia national team.He represented two of the biggest clubs in his homeland, playing for Dinamo Zagreb before sparking controversy by making a move to their fierce rivals Hajduk Split in 2005...
missed the resultant penalty, but Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell
Sulzeer Jeremiah "Sol" Campbell is an English footballer who is currently a free agent. A central defender, Campbell has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as the English national team.Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell's...
bundled the ball over the line a few minutes later after a mistake from Marcus Hahnemann. Reading failed to make much impact against Portsmouth after that, and the extra work-rate required due to being a man down showed in the second half when John Utaka
John Utaka
John Chukwudi Utaka is a Nigerian footballer who played as a striker for Montpellier of the Ligue 1. He is the older brother of Peter Utaka, who plays for OB in Denmark.- Club career :...
outpaced Nicky Shorey for a second goal after 66 minutes to give the visitors a 2–0 victory.
Just a week after losing 6–4 to Tottenham Hotspur in the league, Reading had an opportunity to give a better account of themselves in a FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
Third Round match at White Hart Lane. Fielding effectively a reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
, Reading earned a replay at Madejski Stadium through a 2–2 draw and another two goals for Stephen Hunt.
Reading returned to league action at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
, and despite an injury to Michael Duberry, and the absence of Ibrahima Sonko and André Bikey to the African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
, Steve Coppell opted to play Brynjar Gunnarsson in defence in first half, and Kalifa Cissé in the second half, despite the availability of reserves team captain Alex Pearce
Alex Pearce
Alexander James Pearce is a professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Reading, where he has played his entire career, interspersed with loan periods at various clubs...
. Reading fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Villa, James Harper scoring a late consolation goal for the Royals.
Soon Reading played Tottenham Hotspur again in the 3rd Round Replay at home. Robbie Keane scored the only goal as Tottenham Hotspur went to win 1-0 and go into the hat in the 4th Round Draw.
Next Reading played Manchester United at the Madejski Stadium, despite a spirited performance Man U broke the deadlock on 77 minutes with a goal from Wayne Rooney, then in injury time Ronaldo wrapped up the points condemning Reading to their 5th straight defeat.
Reading then played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominated the match and took a deserved 1-0 lead curtosey of a 33rd minute goal from Michael Ballack, despite numerous chances that proved to be the final score.
February
February started miserably for the Royals. First, they lost against fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers at home 0-2 with the goals coming from Dave KitsonDave Kitson
David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:...
and Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Anthony Jance Nolan is an English professional footballer who plays for and is the current club captain of West Ham United in the Football League Championship. An attacking midfielder, he has represented England at under-21 level....
. After a seventh straight Premiership loss to Everton, Reading dropped into the relegation zone.
Reading went to Everton trying to get a win. Everton proved too strong and beat Reading 1-0 through a Phil Jagielka
Phil Jagielka
Philip Nikodem "Phil" Jagielka is an English international footballer who plays for Everton in the Premier League. He played regularly in central midfield for his previous club Sheffield United, but generally plays in central defence for Everton...
goal just after the hour mark.
Reading's next game was at home to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Shorey scored their first goal for five matches in the 90th minute for the Royals, but it was all to late as Villa had scored 2 goals earlier on in the match through Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood
Marlon Harewood
Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007...
and so Reading lost 2-1.
March
March started well for Reading, taking a complete turn around. Their first match was against Middlesbrough at the Riverside. The match was a hard fought battle and looked set to be a draw. However in injury time, James Harper scored the winner, making the final score 1-0. This match moved them out of the relegation zone and into 14th place.Reading beat Manchester City 2-0, at home, to make it 6 points out of 6. Shane Long and substitute Dave Kitson scored for Reading.
Reading soon went to Liverpool. Reading went 1-0 up after a screamer from Marek Matejovsky. Liverpool won the game 2-1 in the end. In their next game, Reading beat Birmingham 2-1, as Bikey scored both goals for Reading, making Mauro Zarate
Mauro Zárate
Mauro Matías Zárate is an Argentine footballer who plays for Serie A club Internazionale on loan from Lazio.Zárate started his career with Vélez Sársfield in his native country, playing three years for the team and winning the Primera División title in the 2005 Clausura tournament...
's equaliser trivial. Reading drew against Blackburn in their final game in March, Marek Matejovsky being controversially sent off for two yellow cards.
April
Reading went to St. James' Park to play Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in the league. The Royals were beaten 3-0 with goals from: Obafemi Martins (18), Michael Owen (43) and Mark Viduka (57). This was only the start of a bad month for the Royals.
Reading played fellow relegation rivals, Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
at home. 24,221 fans saw a 2-0 defeat as Brian McBride score with in 25 minutes. The Royals' day was over when Fulham sub, Erik Nevland, scored a 90th minute goal to see the Reading's hopes of staying up getting harder by the game.
Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
away was next. The Royals were not on form on the road and it showed. Reading lost 2-0 to the Gunners, Emmanuel Adebayor (30) and Gilberto Silva scored.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, away, was next up for the Royals. The bore draw was a fair result for these sides. If Reading lost their next game they could have been in the drop zone...
May
Reading's goal drought continued into May, as the club slipped into the relegation places following a 1-0 home defeat to Tottenham. Robbie Keane'sRobbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
first half goal was enough to seal all three points for Tottenham, for whom Radek Černý
Radek Cerný
Radek Černý is a Czech footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a goalkeeper.-Slavia Prague:Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Černý turned professional in 1993 as a 17-year-old with Slavia Prague, his home team...
made an important late save from a Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior
Liam James Rosenior is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a defender. He is the son of former Brentford manager Leroy Rosenior, and spent time on loan at Torquay United, where his father was manager, during their promotion season .-Club career:Born in London, Rosenior started his...
shot.
Reading were relegated to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
on the final day of the season, despite securing a 4-0 victory away to Derby
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Reading's strikers found their form a little too late, as Dave Kitson
Dave Kitson
David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:...
, Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
and Leroy Lita
Leroy Lita
Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita , is a Congolese-born English footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side...
all added to James Harper's first-half goal. Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
beat Portsmouth in their final game of the season to condemn Reading to relegation. Reading's fate was confirmed when Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
lost to Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
1-0.
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
League
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2007 – 16:00 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
Away | 0–0 | 75,655 | 12 | |
| 15 August 2007 – 20:00 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
Home | 1–2 | Bikey André Bikey André Stéphane Bikey-Amougou is a Cameroonian footballer, who currently plays for Burnley and the Cameroon national team. He can play in the centre of defence or at right back. He began his career in Spain at the age of fifteen, before having short spells in Russia with Shinnik Yaroslavl and... |
24,031 | 15 |
| 18 August 2007 – 15:00 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
Home | 1–0 | Hunt | 22,813 | 7 |
| 25 August 2007 – 15:00 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
Away | 0–3 | 20,023 | 13 | |
| 1 September 2007 – 15:00 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
Home | 0–3 | 23,533 | 18 | |
| 15 September 2007 – 15:00 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
Away | 1–2 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... |
39,272 | 18 |
| 22 September 2007 – 15:00 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
Home | 2–1 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... , Harper |
21,379 | 16 |
| 29 September 2007 – 15:00 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
Away | 4–7 | Rosenior Liam Rosenior Liam James Rosenior is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a defender. He is the son of former Brentford manager Leroy Rosenior, and spent time on loan at Torquay United, where his father was manager, during their promotion season .-Club career:Born in London, Rosenior started his... , Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... , Long Shane Long Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City... , Campbell Sol Campbell Sulzeer Jeremiah "Sol" Campbell is an English footballer who is currently a free agent. A central defender, Campbell has played for Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United, as well as the English national team.Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell's... (og Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... ) |
20,102 | 17 |
| 7 October 2007 – 14:00 | Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
Home | 1–0 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... |
23,091 | 12 |
| 20 October 2007 – 15:00 | Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
Away | 2–4 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... (2) |
19,425 | 12 |
| 27 October 2007 – 15:00 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
Home | 2–1 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... , Long Shane Long Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City... |
24,119 | 12 |
| 3 November 2007 – 15:00 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
Away | 1–3 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... |
22,086 | 12 |
| 12 November 2007 – 20:00 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
Home | 1–3 | Shorey Nicky Shorey Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:... |
24,024 | 12 |
| 24 November 2007 – 15:00 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
Away | 1–2 | Harper | 43,813 | 12 |
| 1 December 2007 – 15:00 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
Home | 1–1 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... |
22,262 | 12 |
| 8 December 2007 – 17:15 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
Home | 3–1 | Hunt (pen Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ), Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... , Harper |
24,022 | 12 |
| 15 December 2007 – 15:00 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
Away | 1–1 | Hunt (pen Penalty kick A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play... ) |
27,300 | 13 |
| 22 December 2007 – 15:00 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
Home | 2–1 | Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:... , Hunt |
24,082 | 12 |
| 26 December 2007 – 13:00 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
Away | 1–1 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... |
34,277 | 12 |
| 29 December 2007 – 15:00 | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
Away | 4–6 | Cissé, Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:... , Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... (2) |
36,178 | 13 |
| 1 January 2008 – 15:00 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
Home | 0–2 | 24,084 | 13 | |
| 12 January 2008 – 15:00 | Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
Away | 1–3 | Harper | 38,288 | 13 |
| 19 January 2008 – 15:00 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
Home | 0–2 | 24,135 | 14 | |
| 30 January 2008 – 19:45 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
Away | 0–1 | 41,171 | 16 | |
| 2 February 2008 – 15:00 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... |
Home | 0–2 | 21,893 | 17 | |
| 9 February 2008 – 15:00 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
Away | 0–1 | 36,582 | 18 | |
| 24 February 2008 – 12:30 | Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
Home | 1–2 | Shorey Nicky Shorey Nicholas "Nicky" Robert Shorey is an English footballer who currently plays for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League as a left-back.-Leyton Orient:... |
23,889 | 18 |
| 1 March 2008 – 15:00 | Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
Away | 1–0 | Harper | 23,273 | 18 |
| 8 March 2008 – 15:00 | Manchester City Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894... |
Home | 2–0 | Long Shane Long Shane Patrick Long is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League team West Bromwich Albion and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was part of the team that secured qualification for UEFA Euro 2012.Long began his career at Cork City... , Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... |
24,062 | 13 |
| 15 March 2008 – 15:00 | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
Away | 1–2 | Matějovský Marek Matejovský Marek Matějovský is a Czech footballer who currently plays for SpartaPrague in the Gambrinus liga and internationally for the Czech Republic... |
43,524 | 14 |
| 22 March 2008 – 15:00 | Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
Home | 2–1 | Bikey André Bikey André Stéphane Bikey-Amougou is a Cameroonian footballer, who currently plays for Burnley and the Cameroon national team. He can play in the centre of defence or at right back. He began his career in Spain at the age of fifteen, before having short spells in Russia with Shinnik Yaroslavl and... (2) |
24,085 | 15 |
| 29 March 2008 – 15:00 | Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
Home | 0–0 | 23,374 | 14 | |
| 5 April 2008 – 15:00 | Newcastle United Newcastle United F.C. Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger... |
Away | 0–3 | 52,179 | 16 | |
| 12 April 2008 – 15:00 | Fulham Fulham F.C. Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season... |
Home | 0–2 | 24,112 | 16 | |
| 19 April 2008 – 12:45 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
Away | 0–2 | 60,109 | 17 | |
| 26 April 2008 – 15:00 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
Away | 0–0 | 19,043 | 17 | |
| 3 May 2008 – 15:00 | Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
Home | 0–1 | 24,125 | 18 | |
| 11 May 2008 – 15:00 | Derby Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... |
Away | 4–0 | Harper, Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... , Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... , Lita Leroy Lita Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita , is a Congolese-born English footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side... |
33,087 | 18 |
FA Cup
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 January 2008 – 15:00 | Third round | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
Away | 2–2 | Hunt (2) | 35,243 |
| 15 January 2008 – 15:00 | Third round (replay) | Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane.... |
Home | 0–1 | 22,130 |
Football League Cup
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 August 2007 – 19:45 | Second round | Swansea City Swansea City A.F.C. Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position... |
Away | 1–0 | Lita Leroy Lita Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita , is a Congolese-born English footballer who plays for Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side... |
12,027 |
| 25 September 2007 – 19:45 | Third round | Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
Home | 2–4 | Convey Bobby Convey Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team... , Halls John Halls John Halls is an English footballer who plays for Wycombe Wanderers. He is primarily a right-sided full back but is also capable of playing in midfield and other defensive positions.-Arsenal:... |
23,563 |
Player details
|}Last updated: 16:19, 14 May 2008 (UTC)
In
Out
Team kit
Reading's kit for the 2007–08 was manufactured by PumaPUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
, and the main sponsor was Kyocera
Kyocera
is a multinational manufacturer based in Kyoto, Japan. It was founded as in 1959 by Kazuo Inamori and renamed in 1982. The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions...
.