Reading F.C. season 2008-09
Encyclopedia
Reading Football Club played the 2008–09 season in the Football League Championship
, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08
Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 4 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley
in the play-off semi-finals.
opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town
, winning 9-0, with nine different scorers, including a fan who won the opportunity to play at a charity auction. After further away wins at Forest Green Rovers
(2-0), Havant & Waterlooville
(1-0) and MK Dons
(2-1), Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan
(4-1) in which Leroy Lita
scored all four, against Lerkils IF
(1-0) and against Halmstads BK
(3-1) in which new signing Noel Hunt
scored for the first time, ultimately scoring two. Reading's last friendly, and only home friendly, was against Aston Villa
, and finished 1-1. It was Reading's only pre-season game that they did not win.
. In a game of few chances, Kevin Doyle
came closest for the Royals, glancing a header goalwards from a Stephen Hunt cross, that Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to tip on to the crossbar.
Two days later, the Royals enjoyed their first victory of the season, as a late Noel Hunt
goal, on his competitive debut for Reading, secured a 2–1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge in the 1st round of the League Cup. James Henry
had opened the scoring for Reading in the first half, with his first goal for the club, tapping home after Shane Long
had beaten the Dagenham goalkeeper to a cross.
Reading's first home league match followed on 16 August, a game the Royals deservedly won 2–0, Ibrahima Sonko
crashing home two headers, one in each half, both from Stephen Hunt corners.
A week later, the Royals lost a thrilling game 2–4 against Charlton Athletic
. Matt Holland
and Andy Gray's penalty gave the Addicks a 2–0 lead but Ibrahima Sonko
kept up his scoring form with a thumping header before half-time. Stephen Hunt's retaken penalty completed the comeback for Reading, but further goals for Luke Varney
and Hameur Bouazza
gave Charlton all three points.
The Royals returned to the Madesjki on 26 August with a thumping 5–1 victory over Luton Town
in the League Cup
2nd Round. Noel Hunt
opened the scoring after nodding in brother Stephen Hunt's cross. Soon later it was the other way around, Noel Hunt
sliding in a cross and Stephen Hunt slotted home. Alex Pearce
, Jem Karacan
and James Henry
all got their first goals for the club. A consolation for Luton was scored by Ryan Charles
.
, Ipswich
. Reading's bad away form continued as The Royals lost 2–0 to the hands of Ipswich Town
. The game was followed up by the biggest win of the season, so far, as Reading forced six passed Sheffield Wednesday
. The Royals were 2–0 up with in 10 minutes, Kevin Doyle
scoring them both. André Bikey
got the third on the half hour mark. Noel Hunt
got the fourth on the fiftieth minute. Doyle
scored his third of the game and two minutes later Reading were 6–0 up. It stayed that way intill the end of the match.
Watford
. Reading came to Watford
sitting fourth in the Championship
. Reading took the lead on the 13th minute. The goal was scored by no-one! The goal was not claimed for by any Reading player. Watford
soon went 2–1 up and a 89th minute spot kick was turned in by S. Hunt.
Reading played a cup side in the League Cup
as the Royals headed to Stoke
to play the Premier League side Stoke City
. Reading battled hard only losing to the Premier League side on spot kicks, 4–3, after a 2–2 draw.
Reading played Swansea City
and a 4–0 win set up a game with Wolverhampton Wanderers
. The Royals went 1–0 up when an own goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers started of a hammering for Wolves. André Bikey
made it 2–0 and Kalifa Cissé made a Reading win a game to forget for Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
came to Reading. Reading won the game 3–1. The Hunt
Brothers scored two and Shane Long
made it 3–0. Burnley scored a goal, but it was to little to late. Away days. Reading lost to the hands of Preston North End
2–1. Mix ups saw a loss come to Reading's hands.
A home game to Doncaster Rovers
followed. The Royals only won 2–1. This happened after Reading going 1–0 up, then Doncaster scored. One minute later the Royals scored to win the match.
A draw to Queens Park Rangers
in front of the Sky Sports
cameras at home, 0–0, and a loss, 1–0, away to Burnley
rounded of a bad month for the Royals, home and away.
as the Royals opened November with a 4–1 win away to Bristol City
. Kevin Doyle
(twice) and Noel Hunt
scored from close range, before Kalifa Cissé added Reading's fourth, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside of the penalty area. Reading's excellent home form continued the following weekend, Doyle
(2) and Noel Hunt
again got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 victory over Derby County
.
The Royals secured a third successive victory at Bramall Lane
the following weekend, Kalifa Cissé opening the scoring in the 5th minute, before a Kevin Doyle
header, just before half-time, completed a 2–0 win at Sheffield United. Reading then lost to Southampton
at home 2–1. The Royals' 1st home defeat of the season so-far. Kébé
scored his 1st Reading goal. The Royals then headed off to Wales
to play Cardiff City
. Reading went 1–0 and 2–1 down. At 1–1, Reading were down to 10 men as André Bikey
got sent off. Reading's scores were Kevin Doyle
and Brynjar Gunnarsson
in a 2-all draw.
at home in front of the Sky Sports
Cameras. The Royals went 1–0 down, but came back to win 3–1. Reading won 1–0 at Barnsley
and at home to Blackpool
. A late rally by Reading help them win 2–0 at home to Norwich City
. Reading moved in to 2nd as Reading won 3–1 at then 2nd place Birmingham City
.
Reading then had a home draw, 1–1, to Cardiff City
. The Welsh side went 1–0 in the 89th minute, but Reading's keeper Adam Federici
scored in the 6th minute of injury time. Reading then drew 1–1 at Southampton
.
for the third time in six weeks in the FA Cup
third round, and a largely second-string side were defeated 2–0 at Ninian Park
, to end the Royals' eight-match unbeaten run.
The Royals returned to the Madejski Stadium for the first league match of the calendar year, completing a 4–0 victory over Watford
. Chris Armstrong
opened the scoring with his first ever goal for Reading, before Kevin Doyle
, Noel Hunt
and Leroy Lita
, back from Norwich
, added to the tally. A 2–0 defeat at Welsh side Swansea City followed, to end a run of 9 league matches unbeaten for Reading, before league leaders Wolves
were beaten 1–0 at the Madejski Stadium, the game decided by a second-minute own-goal scored by Wolves' Neill Collins
. The result closed the gap between Wolves and Reading, in 2nd place, to two points. January ended with a goalless draw at Loftus Road
, as Reading and Q.P.R.
drew 0–0 for the second time this season.
had left the club by mutual consent. A second consecutive 0–0 draw followed, as the Royals were held at home by Preston
. On 13 February it was revealed that Ivar Ingimarsson
would be out injured for the rest of the season, scheduled for surgery on a knee cartilage problem. Reading's goal drought continued two weeks later, at home to Bristol City
, as the Royals lost 2–0, a second home defeat of the season. Nottingham Forest
visited the Madejski Stadium on 28 February, as the Royals slumped to a second straight home defeat, and a sixth consecutive game without scoring.
, defeating Sheffield Wednesday
2–1, Kevin Doyle
heading home from a corner, and Shane Long
scoring the winner with nine minutes left.
The Royals headed to Home Park
, Plymouth
to play Plymouth Argyle
. Reading went 1–0 down, but Alex Pearce
scored two minutes later. Argyle went 2–1 up and in the 80th minute, Jimmy Kebe
scored, through the keepers legs.
Reading played Charlton Athletic
, at home, next. Reading drew 2–2 with two goals from young Irish
striker Shane Long
. However the Royals were denied victory by a last gasp equaliser. Reading next lost to Ipswich Town
1–0. The Royals went 1–0 down just 1 minute after the break. That meant the Royals went into a three match winless run with renewed purpose.
However, that was forgotten in midweek as they won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers
, thanks to a late Dave Kitson
winner eight minutes from time. Kitson had returned to the club on loan, as did Glen Little
.
The Royals ended the month with successive goalless draws, against Crystal Palace
, eventually dropping into 4th place after Sheffield United
's win over Barnsley
.
which ended in bore draw of 0–0. Both teams creating very little in another disappointing performance from the Royals.
On 10 April 2009, Sheffield United
travelled to the Madjeski for an evening game in a real six-pointer with both teams needing the win to help secure that valuable play-off place. It ended in Reading
losing 1–0 with Brian Howard
scoring a scrappy goal on the hour mark.
On 13 April 2009, the Royals travelled to Bloomfield Road
to face Blackpool
and after taking a 2–0 lead, eventually drew 2–2. Jem Karacan
scored his first goal of the season and league goal for the Royals.
A goalless draw with Barnsley
at home meant Reading had now gone 7 home games without a win. However, the Royals showed a return to form on the following Tuesday night with a 2–0 win at Derby County
, Dave Kitson
and Shane Long
the goalscorers.
With results having gone their way at the weekend, Reading went into their Monday night game with Norwich City
knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. Shane Long
inspired Reading to a 2–0 win with both goals, both of them headers from Jimmy Kebe
crosses. Reading, 4th, needed to win going into a clash with Birmingham City
, 2nd. Reading lost 2–1 and Birmingham went up. Reading need to win to go up to the Premier League at the first attempt, and Sheffield United
didn't win against Crystal Palace
. United drew 0–0. If the Royals had won they would have gone up on Goal-Difference.
was sent off as Reading lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Burnley
by a single goal. Bikey was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake
, minutes after pulling back Burnley striker Steve Thompson
to gift the Clarets the winning penalty, scored by Graham Alexander
. Burnley advanced to the final at Wembley
three days later as Reading lost the second leg 2–0, goals from Martin Paterson
, and Thompson
, sealing Burnley's win. Hours after Burnley
winning the game Steve Coppell
resigned as Manager of the club.
1In Reading's match at Watford, John Eustace apparently scored an own goal for Reading, giving Reading the lead. However, replays show that the ball passed the line, but didn't go in between the posts. It was given by referee Stuart Atwell on the say so of his assistant Nigel Bannister who flagged for the goal.
FA Cup
League Cup
1Stoke City won 4–3 on penalties and advanced to the fourth round.
Last updated: 22:55, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
, and the main sponsor is Waitrose
.
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...
, having been relegated on the final day of the 2007–08
Reading F.C. season 2007-08
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...
Premier League season. Despite a strong start to the season, especially at home, Reading were unable to secure promotion at the first attempt; a poor run of form in 2009 saw Reading win just 4 of their last 17 league games, the Royals finishing 4th in the league. Reading were defeated 3–0 on aggregate by Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
in the play-off semi-finals.
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...
opened their pre-season with an away game against Didcot Town
Didcot Town F.C.
Didcot Town F.C. are a football club based in Didcot in Oxfordshire, England. They won the FA Vase in 2005 and are currently members of Division One South & West of the Southern League, having been relegated from the Premier Division in 2010–11....
, winning 9-0, with nine different scorers, including a fan who won the opportunity to play at a charity auction. After further away wins at Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
(2-0), Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
(1-0) and MK Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
(2-1), Reading went on a three-game friendly tour of Sweden, winning their three games against FC Trollhättan
FC Trollhättan
FC Trollhättan is a Swedish football club located in Trollhättan currently playing in Division 1.-Background:The club was founded in 2001, when the old rivals Trollhättans IF and Trollhättans FK decided to merge....
(4-1) in which 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...
scored all four, against Lerkils IF
Lerkils IF
Lerkils IF is a Swedish football club located in Vallda.-Background:Lerkils IF currently plays in Division 4 Halland Elit which is the sixth tier of Swedish football. They play their home matches at the Ledets IP in Vallda....
(1-0) and against Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
(3-1) in which new signing Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
scored for the first time, ultimately scoring two. Reading's last friendly, and only home friendly, was against 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...
, and finished 1-1. It was Reading's only pre-season game that they did not win.
August
Reading's league campaign began with a 0–0 draw at promoted Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. In a game of few chances, Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
came closest for the Royals, glancing a header goalwards from a Stephen Hunt cross, that Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith did well to tip on to the crossbar.
Two days later, the Royals enjoyed their first victory of the season, as a late Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
goal, on his competitive debut for Reading, secured a 2–1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge in the 1st round of the League Cup. James Henry
James Henry (footballer)
James Henry is an English footballer who plays for Millwall as a right winger or as a central midfielder.-Reading:Henry was born in Reading. Having grown up in Woodley, attending Waingels College which has sport facilities, and started his playing career at local club, Woodley Saints...
had opened the scoring for Reading in the first half, with his first goal for the club, tapping home after 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...
had beaten the Dagenham goalkeeper to a cross.
Reading's first home league match followed on 16 August, a game the Royals deservedly won 2–0, Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:...
crashing home two headers, one in each half, both from Stephen Hunt corners.
A week later, the Royals lost a thrilling game 2–4 against Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. Matt Holland
Matt Holland
Matthew Rhys "Matt" Holland is a former English-born Irish footballer, who represented Republic of Ireland at international level...
and Andy Gray's penalty gave the Addicks a 2–0 lead but Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko
Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:...
kept up his scoring form with a thumping header before half-time. Stephen Hunt's retaken penalty completed the comeback for Reading, but further goals for Luke Varney
Luke Varney
Luke Ivan Varney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Portsmouth. He started his career with non-league Quorn, a club in his home county of Leicestershire, before moving to league football with Crewe Alexandra...
and Hameur Bouazza
Hameur Bouazza
Hamer Bouazza , first name sometimes misspelled as Hameur, is an Algerian footballer who currently plays for Millwall in the Football League Championship. He usually plays as a left winger, but can also play on the right....
gave Charlton all three points.
The Royals returned to the Madesjki on 26 August with a thumping 5–1 victory over Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in the 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...
2nd Round. Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
opened the scoring after nodding in brother Stephen Hunt's cross. Soon later it was the other way around, Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
sliding in a cross and Stephen Hunt slotted home. 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...
, Jem Karacan
Jem Karacan
Jem Paul Karacan is an English-born Turkish footballer who plays for Reading as a midfielder. He has played internationally for the Turkish youth team, and has captained the U-21 side.-Early life:...
and James Henry
James Henry (footballer)
James Henry is an English footballer who plays for Millwall as a right winger or as a central midfielder.-Reading:Henry was born in Reading. Having grown up in Woodley, attending Waingels College which has sport facilities, and started his playing career at local club, Woodley Saints...
all got their first goals for the club. A consolation for Luton was scored by Ryan Charles
Ryan Charles
Ryan Andrew Charles is an English professional footballer, currently playing for Cambridge United.-Career:...
.
September
The month started at Portman RoadPortman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
, Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
. Reading's bad away form continued as The Royals lost 2–0 to the hands of Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. The game was followed up by the biggest win of the season, so far, as Reading forced six passed Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. The Royals were 2–0 up with in 10 minutes, Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
scoring them both. 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...
got the third on the half hour mark. Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
got the fourth on the fiftieth minute. Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
scored his third of the game and two minutes later Reading were 6–0 up. It stayed that way intill the end of the match.
Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Reading came to Watford
Watford
Watford is a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, situated northwest of central London and within the bounds of the M25 motorway. The borough is separated from Greater London to the south by the urbanised parish of Watford Rural in the Three Rivers District.Watford was created as an urban...
sitting fourth in 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...
. Reading took the lead on the 13th minute. The goal was scored by no-one! The goal was not claimed for by any Reading player. Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
soon went 2–1 up and a 89th minute spot kick was turned in by S. Hunt.
Reading played a cup side in the 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...
as the Royals headed to Stoke
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
to play the Premier League side Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. Reading battled hard only losing to the Premier League side on spot kicks, 4–3, after a 2–2 draw.
Reading played 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...
and a 4–0 win set up a game with 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...
. The Royals went 1–0 up when an own goal by Wolverhampton Wanderers started of a hammering for Wolves. 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...
made it 2–0 and Kalifa Cissé made a Reading win a game to forget for 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...
.
October
BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
came to Reading. Reading won the game 3–1. The Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
Brothers scored two and 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...
made it 3–0. Burnley scored a goal, but it was to little to late. Away days. Reading lost to the hands of Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
2–1. Mix ups saw a loss come to Reading's hands.
A home game to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
followed. The Royals only won 2–1. This happened after Reading going 1–0 up, then Doncaster scored. One minute later the Royals scored to win the match.
A draw to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in front of the Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
cameras at home, 0–0, and a loss, 1–0, away to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
rounded of a bad month for the Royals, home and away.
November
Reading returned to winning ways at Ashton GateAshton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
as the Royals opened November with a 4–1 win away to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
. Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
(twice) and Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
scored from close range, before Kalifa Cissé added Reading's fourth, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner of the goal from outside of the penalty area. Reading's excellent home form continued the following weekend, Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
(2) and Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
again got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 victory over 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...
.
The Royals secured a third successive victory at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
the following weekend, Kalifa Cissé opening the scoring in the 5th minute, before a Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
header, just before half-time, completed a 2–0 win at Sheffield United. Reading then lost to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
at home 2–1. The Royals' 1st home defeat of the season so-far. Kébé
Jimmy Kébé
Jimmy Boubou Kébé is a France-born Malian footballer who plays for Reading as a winger.-Reading:On 16 January 2008, Kébé agreed to join Reading, but his then club US Boulogne initially refused to let him end his season-long loan early...
scored his 1st Reading goal. The Royals then headed off to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
to play Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. Reading went 1–0 and 2–1 down. At 1–1, Reading were down to 10 men as 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...
got sent off. Reading's scores were Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
and 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 a 2-all draw.
December
Reading were playing Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
at home in front of the Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
Cameras. The Royals went 1–0 down, but came back to win 3–1. Reading won 1–0 at Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and at home to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. A late rally by Reading help them win 2–0 at home to Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. Reading moved in to 2nd as Reading won 3–1 at then 2nd place 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...
.
Reading then had a home draw, 1–1, to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
. The Welsh side went 1–0 in the 89th minute, but Reading's keeper Adam Federici
Adam Federici
Adam Jay Federici is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Championship club Reading and has featured for the Australian national team.-Club career:...
scored in the 6th minute of injury time. Reading then drew 1–1 at Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
January
Reading met Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
for the third time in six weeks in the 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, and a largely second-string side were defeated 2–0 at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
, to end the Royals' eight-match unbeaten run.
The Royals returned to the Madejski Stadium for the first league match of the calendar year, completing a 4–0 victory over Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Chris Armstrong
Chris Armstrong (footballer born 1982)
Christopher "Chris" Armstrong is a retired professional footballer, who most recently played for Reading in the Football League Championship.He retired due to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis...
opened the scoring with his first ever goal for Reading, before Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
, Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt
Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C...
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...
, back from Norwich
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, added to the tally. A 2–0 defeat at Welsh side Swansea City followed, to end a run of 9 league matches unbeaten for Reading, before league leaders Wolves
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...
were beaten 1–0 at the Madejski Stadium, the game decided by a second-minute own-goal scored by Wolves' Neill Collins
Neill Collins
Neill William Collins is a Scottish footballer defender who currently plays for Championship side Sheffield United. He is a former Scotland U21 international and has also represented Scotland B side.-Career:...
. The result closed the gap between Wolves and Reading, in 2nd place, to two points. January ended with a goalless draw at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
, as Reading and Q.P.R.
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
drew 0–0 for the second time this season.
February
On the 6th of the month it was revealed that Bobby ConveyBobby 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...
had left the club by mutual consent. A second consecutive 0–0 draw followed, as the Royals were held at home by Preston
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. On 13 February it was revealed that Ivar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson
Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:...
would be out injured for the rest of the season, scheduled for surgery on a knee cartilage problem. Reading's goal drought continued two weeks later, at home to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, as the Royals lost 2–0, a second home defeat of the season. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
visited the Madejski Stadium on 28 February, as the Royals slumped to a second straight home defeat, and a sixth consecutive game without scoring.
March
Reading secured a first win in five games under floodlights at HillsboroughHillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
, defeating Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
2–1, Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
heading home from a corner, and 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...
scoring the winner with nine minutes left.
The Royals headed to Home Park
Home Park
Home Park is an all-seater football stadium in the Central Park area of Plymouth, England, and is the home of Football League Two club Plymouth Argyle. The ground, given the nickname the Theatre of Greens by the club's supporters, has been Argyle's permanent residence since 1901...
, Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
to play Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. Reading went 1–0 down, but 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...
scored two minutes later. Argyle went 2–1 up and in the 80th minute, Jimmy Kebe
Jimmy Kébé
Jimmy Boubou Kébé is a France-born Malian footballer who plays for Reading as a winger.-Reading:On 16 January 2008, Kébé agreed to join Reading, but his then club US Boulogne initially refused to let him end his season-long loan early...
scored, through the keepers legs.
Reading played Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, at home, next. Reading drew 2–2 with two goals from young Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
striker 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...
. However the Royals were denied victory by a last gasp equaliser. Reading next lost to Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
1–0. The Royals went 1–0 down just 1 minute after the break. That meant the Royals went into a three match winless run with renewed purpose.
However, that was forgotten in midweek as they won 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, thanks to a late 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:...
winner eight minutes from time. Kitson had returned to the club on loan, as did Glen Little
Glen Little
Glen Matthew Little is an English footballer born in Wimbledon who plays as a right winger for Wrexham. He previously played for Burnley, Derry City, Glentoran, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Aldershot Town...
.
The Royals ended the month with successive goalless draws, against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, eventually dropping into 4th place after Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
's win over Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
.
April
The first game of April was away to Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
which ended in bore draw of 0–0. Both teams creating very little in another disappointing performance from the Royals.
On 10 April 2009, Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
travelled to the Madjeski for an evening game in a real six-pointer with both teams needing the win to help secure that valuable play-off place. It ended in Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
losing 1–0 with Brian Howard
Brian Howard (footballer)
Brian Richard William Howard is an English footballer who is contracted to Reading and is currently on loan to Millwall in the Football League Championship as a midfielder...
scoring a scrappy goal on the hour mark.
On 13 April 2009, the Royals travelled to Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
to face Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and after taking a 2–0 lead, eventually drew 2–2. Jem Karacan
Jem Karacan
Jem Paul Karacan is an English-born Turkish footballer who plays for Reading as a midfielder. He has played internationally for the Turkish youth team, and has captained the U-21 side.-Early life:...
scored his first goal of the season and league goal for the Royals.
A goalless draw with Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
at home meant Reading had now gone 7 home games without a win. However, the Royals showed a return to form on the following Tuesday night with a 2–0 win at 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...
, 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:...
and 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...
the goalscorers.
With results having gone their way at the weekend, Reading went into their Monday night game with Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
knowing that only a win would keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive. 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...
inspired Reading to a 2–0 win with both goals, both of them headers from Jimmy Kebe
Jimmy Kébé
Jimmy Boubou Kébé is a France-born Malian footballer who plays for Reading as a winger.-Reading:On 16 January 2008, Kébé agreed to join Reading, but his then club US Boulogne initially refused to let him end his season-long loan early...
crosses. Reading, 4th, needed to win going into a clash with 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...
, 2nd. Reading lost 2–1 and Birmingham went up. Reading need to win to go up to the Premier League at the first attempt, and Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
didn't win against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
. United drew 0–0. If the Royals had won they would have gone up on Goal-Difference.
May
André BikeyAndré 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...
was sent off as Reading lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
by a single goal. Bikey was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake
Robbie Blake
Robert James "Robbie" Blake is an English footballer, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Barclays Premier League...
, minutes after pulling back Burnley striker Steve Thompson
Steven Thompson (Scottish footballer)
Steven Howard Thompson is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for St. Mirren.-Dundee United:...
to gift the Clarets the winning penalty, scored by Graham Alexander
Graham Alexander
Graham Alexander is a Scottish international footballer who plays for Preston North End. He is naturally a right back, but has recently been deployed in defensive midfield, as he did early on in his career with Scunthorpe. He is currently the third oldest player to score in Premier League history...
. Burnley advanced to the final at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
three days later as Reading lost the second leg 2–0, goals from Martin Paterson
Martin Paterson
Martin Andrew Paterson is an English born Northern Irish footballer who plays as a striker for English Championship side Burnley...
, and Thompson
Steven Thompson (Scottish footballer)
Steven Howard Thompson is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for St. Mirren.-Dundee United:...
, sealing Burnley's win. Hours after Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
winning the game 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...
resigned as Manager of the club.
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Championship
| Kick Off | Opponents | H / A | Result | Scorers | Referee | Attendance | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-08-10 13:15 | Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
A City Ground The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 .... |
0–0 | Stuart Atwell | 21,571 | 14th (Report) | |
| 2008-08-16 15:00 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
H 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... |
2–0 | Sonko Ibrahima Sonko Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:... 13', 49' |
Richard Beeby | 19,202 | 5th (Report) |
| 2008-08-23 12:45 | Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
A | 2–4 | Sonko Ibrahima Sonko Ibrahima Sonko is a Senegalese international professional footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town.-Reading:... 45', S Hunt 53' |
Lee Mason | 20,020 | 10th (Report) |
| 2008-08-30 15:00 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
H 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... |
4–2 | Harper 18', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 65', 67', 89' |
Clive Penton | 20,441 | 6th (Report) |
| 2008-09-13 15:00 | Ipswich Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
A Portman Road Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003... |
0–2 | Keith Hill | 21,366 | 8th (Report) | |
| 2008-09-17 20:00 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
H 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... |
6–0 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 5', 9', 62', 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... 30', N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 50', 64' |
Andy Woolmer | 18,159 | 4th (Report) |
| 2008-09-20 15:00 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
A Vicarage Road Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:... |
2–2 | Eustace John Eustace John Mark Eustace is an English footballer who plays for Watford as a central midfielder. He has previously been contracted to Coventry City and Stoke City, and has spent time on loan at Dundee United, Middlesbrough, Hereford United and Derby County.-Coventry City:Born in Solihull, Eustace began... (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.... )1 13', S Hunt (pen) 87' |
Stuart Atwell | 14,761 | 6th (Report) |
| 2008-09-27 15:00 | Swansea City | H 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... |
4–0 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 19', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 26', 90', S Hunt 40' |
Scott Mathieson | 20,093 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-09-30 19:45 | Wolves 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... |
A 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... |
3–0 | Hennessey Wayne Hennessey Wayne Robert Hennessey is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers as a goalkeeper.-Early career:... (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.... ) 4', 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... 71', Cissé 89' |
Rob Shoebridge | 24,302 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-10-04 15:00 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
H 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... |
3–1 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 4', S Hunt 52', 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... 64' |
Kevin Friend | 18,621 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-10-18 15:00 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
A Deepdale Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :... |
1–2 | S Hunt (pen) 27' | Nigel Miller | 12,316 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-10-21 20:00 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
H 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... |
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... 18', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 76' |
Darren Deadman | 17,924 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-10-25 15:00 | QPR Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
H 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... |
0–0 | Chris Foy | 20,571 | 3rd (Report) | |
| 2008-10-28 19:45 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
A Turf Moor Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of... |
0–1 | Martin Haywood | 11,538 | 4th (Report) | |
| 2008-11-01 15:00 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
A Ashton Gate Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average... |
4–1 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 14', 47', N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 16', Cissé 54' |
John Moss | 18,296 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-11-08 15:00 | 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... |
H 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... |
3–0 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 20', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 68', 75' |
Scott Mathieson | 18,724 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-11-15 15:00 | Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
A Bramall Lane -Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket... |
2–0 | Cissé 5', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 44' |
Michael Oliver | 25,065 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-11-22 15:00 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
H 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... |
1–2 | Kébé Jimmy Kébé Jimmy Boubou Kébé is a France-born Malian footballer who plays for Reading as a winger.-Reading:On 16 January 2008, Kébé agreed to join Reading, but his then club US Boulogne initially refused to let him end his season-long loan early... 57' |
Lee Probert | 23,121 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-11-25 19:45 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
A Ninian Park Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship... |
2–2 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 16', 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... 50' |
Peter Walton | 17,154 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-12-01 20:00 | Coventry City Coventry City F.C. Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry... |
H 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... |
3–1 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 32', 62', Cissé 37' |
Kevin Wright | 16,803 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-12-06 15:00 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
A | 1–0 | 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... 63' |
Clive Oliver | 11,938 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-12-09 20:00 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
H 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... |
1–0 | Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson Ívar Ingimarsson , is an Icelandic professional footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town.-Early years:... 27' |
Jarnail Singh | 16,514 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-12-13 15:00 | Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
H 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... |
2–0 | S Hunt (pen) 84', 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... 86' |
Trevor Kettle | 19,382 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2008-12-20 12:45 | 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... |
A St Andrews (stadium) St Andrew's is an association football stadium in the Bordesley district of Birmingham, England. It has been the home ground of Birmingham City Football Club for more than a century.... |
3–1 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 12', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 65', Cissé 81' |
Mike Dean | 19,695 | 2nd (Report) |
| 2008-12-26 15:00 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
H 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... |
1–1 | Federici Adam Federici Adam Jay Federici is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Championship club Reading and has featured for the Australian national team.-Club career:... 90' |
Andy Hall | 22,770 | 2nd (Report) |
| 2008-12-28 15:00 | Southampton Southampton F.C. Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club... |
A St Mary's Stadium St Mary's Stadium is the home of Southampton F.C., in the city of Southampton. It is a UEFA 4-star rated stadium and with a capacity of 32,689 is the largest football stadium in the south of England, outside of London.-History:... |
1–1 | 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... 84' |
Phil Crossley | 20,142 | 2nd (Report) |
| 2009-01-10 12:45 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
H 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... |
4–0 | Armstrong Chris Armstrong (footballer born 1982) Christopher "Chris" Armstrong is a retired professional footballer, who most recently played for Reading in the Football League Championship.He retired due to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis... 38', N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 66', Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 67', 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... 88' |
Andy D'Urso | 18,072 | 2nd (Report) |
| 2009-01-17 15:00 | Swansea City | A Liberty Stadium, Swansea The Liberty Stadium is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the... |
0–2 | F Graham | 15,197 | 2nd (Report) | |
| 2009-01-27 20:00 | Wolves 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... |
H 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... |
1–0 | Collins Neill Collins Neill William Collins is a Scottish footballer defender who currently plays for Championship side Sheffield United. He is a former Scotland U21 international and has also represented Scotland B side.-Career:... og 2' |
John Booth | 23,009 | 2nd (Report) |
| 2009-01-31 15:00 | QPR Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
A Loftus Road Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,... |
0–0 | John Moss | 17,120 | 2nd (Report) | |
| 2009-02-07 15:00 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
H 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... |
0–0 | Mike Jones | 19,570 | 2nd (Report) | |
| 2009-02-21 15:00 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
H 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... |
0–2 | Andy Penn | 22,462 | 3rd (Report) | |
| 2009-02-28 15:00 | Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
H 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... |
0–1 | Neil Swarbrick | 21,196 | 3rd (Report) | |
| 2009-03-03 19:45 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
A Hillsborough Stadium Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the... |
2–1 | Doyle Kevin Doyle Kevin Edward Doyle is an Irish international footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.... 56', 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... 81' |
Andy Hall | TBC | 2nd (Report) |
| 2009-03-07 15:00 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
A Home Park Home Park is an all-seater football stadium in the Central Park area of Plymouth, England, and is the home of Football League Two club Plymouth Argyle. The ground, given the nickname the Theatre of Greens by the club's supporters, has been Argyle's permanent residence since 1901... |
2–2 | 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... 22', Kebe Jimmy Kébé Jimmy Boubou Kébé is a France-born Malian footballer who plays for Reading as a winger.-Reading:On 16 January 2008, Kébé agreed to join Reading, but his then club US Boulogne initially refused to let him end his season-long loan early... 80' |
Anthony Bates | TBC | 3rd (Report) |
| 2009-03-09 20:00 | Charlton Athletic Charlton Athletic F.C. Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,... |
H 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... |
2–2 | 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... (pen) 46', 66' |
Anthony Taylor | 17,875 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2009-03-14 15:00 | Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
H 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... |
0–1 | Michael Oliver | 20,592 | 3rd (Report) | |
| 2009-03-17 19:45 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
A | 1–0 | Kitson Dave Kitson David Barry "Dave" Kitson is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Portsmouth as a striker.-Early life:... 82' |
Paul Taylor | 10,393 | 3rd (Report) |
| 2009-03-21 17:20 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
A Selhurst Park Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:... |
0–0 | Andy D'Urso | 14,567 | 3rd (Report) | |
| 2009-04-04 15:00 | Coventry City Coventry City F.C. Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry... |
A Ricoh Arena The Ricoh Arena , home to Coventry City F.C., is a stadium complex situated in the Rowleys Green district of the city of Coventry, England containing a 32,609 seater football stadium, a 6,000 square-metre exhibition hall, a hotel, a leisure club, and a casino... |
0–0 | Tim Kettle | 17,281 | 4th (Report) | |
| 2009-04-10 17:30 | Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
H 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... |
0–1 | Keith Friend | 20,756 | 5th (Report) | |
| 2009-04-13 15:00 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
A Bloomfield Road Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000... |
2–2 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 10', Karacan Jem Karacan Jem Paul Karacan is an English-born Turkish footballer who plays for Reading as a midfielder. He has played internationally for the Turkish youth team, and has captained the U-21 side.-Early life:... 24' |
Tim Kettle | 7,722 | 5th (Report) |
| 2009-04-18 15:00 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
H | 0–0 | R. Beeby | 19,240 | 5th (Report) | |
| 2009-04-21 19:45 | 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... |
A Pride Park Stadium Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997... |
2–0 | Kitson 56', 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... 73' |
C. Webster | 31,345 | 4th (Report) |
| 2009-04-27 19:45 | Norwich City Norwich City F.C. Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The... |
A Carrow Road Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum.... |
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... 68', 78' |
C. Oliver | 25,041 | 4th (Report) |
| 2009-05-03 13:15 | 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... |
H 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... |
1–2 | Matejovsky Marek Matejovský Marek Matějovský is a Czech footballer who currently plays for SpartaPrague in the Gambrinus liga and internationally for the Czech Republic... 61' |
H. Webb | 23,879 | 4th (Report) |
1In Reading's match at Watford, John Eustace apparently scored an own goal for Reading, giving Reading the lead. However, replays show that the ball passed the line, but didn't go in between the posts. It was given by referee Stuart Atwell on the say so of his assistant Nigel Bannister who flagged for the goal.
Championship Playoffs
| Kick Off | Opponents | H / A | Result | Scorers | Referee | Attendance | Aggregate Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-05-09 17:20 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
A Turf Moor Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of... |
0–1 | Martin Atkinson | 18,005 | 0–1 (Report) | |
| 2009-05-12 19:45 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
H | 0–2 | Mike Riley | 19,909 | 0–3 (Report) |
FA CupFA CupThe 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...
| Kick Off | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result | Scorers | Referee | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-01-03 15:00 | Third (Report) | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
A Ninian Park Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship... |
0–2 | Anthony Taylor | 12,448 |
League CupFootball League CupThe 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...
| Kick Off | Round | Opponents | H / A | Result | Scorers | Referee | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-08-12 19:45 | First (Report) | Dagenham & Redbridge Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham... |
A Victoria Road (stadium) Victoria Road, currently known as the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium, for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. of London, England. It has a capacity of 6,078.... |
2–1 | Henry James Henry (footballer) James Henry is an English footballer who plays for Millwall as a right winger or as a central midfielder.-Reading:Henry was born in Reading. Having grown up in Woodley, attending Waingels College which has sport facilities, and started his playing career at local club, Woodley Saints... 25', N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 89' |
Andy Penn | 2,360 |
| 2008-08-26 20:00 | Second (Report) | Luton Town Luton Town F.C. Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was... |
H 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... |
5–1 | N Hunt Noel Hunt Noel Hunt is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Football League Championship side Reading. His brother is Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C... 11', S Hunt 15', 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... 54', Karacan Jem Karacan Jem Paul Karacan is an English-born Turkish footballer who plays for Reading as a midfielder. He has played internationally for the Turkish youth team, and has captained the U-21 side.-Early life:... 55', Henry James Henry (footballer) James Henry is an English footballer who plays for Millwall as a right winger or as a central midfielder.-Reading:Henry was born in Reading. Having grown up in Woodley, attending Waingels College which has sport facilities, and started his playing career at local club, Woodley Saints... 76' |
Dean Whitestone | 7,498 |
| 2008-09-23 19:45 | Third (Report) | Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
A Britannia Stadium The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank... |
2–21 | Henry James Henry (footballer) James Henry is an English footballer who plays for Millwall as a right winger or as a central midfielder.-Reading:Henry was born in Reading. Having grown up in Woodley, attending Waingels College which has sport facilities, and started his playing career at local club, Woodley Saints... 45', 75' |
Lee Mason | 9,141 |
1Stoke City won 4–3 on penalties and advanced to the fourth round.
League table
|-}Player details
|}Last updated: 22:55, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
In
Out
Team kit
Reading's kit for the 2008–09 season is 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 is Waitrose
Waitrose
Waitrose Limited is an upmarket chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and is the food division of the British retailer and worker co-operative the John Lewis Partnership. Its head office is in Bracknell, Berkshire, England...
.