Reading are the first of six new teams that will be entering the Championship this season. Vital QPR takes a look at the Royals.
Facts and Figures
Founded: 1871
Nickname: The Royals
Ground: The Madejski Stadium – 24,161
Manager: Steve Coppell
Selected Honours
Football League Championship: Winners – 2006
Football League First Division: Runners Up – 1995
Football League Second Division: Winners – 1994
Football League Second Division: Runners Up – 2002
Football League Third Division: Winners – 1986
Simod Cup: Winners – 1988
Records
All time attendance record: 33,042 (At Elm Park) v Brentford (Division 2, 1927)
Record league victory: 10-2 v Crystal Palace (Division 3, 1946)
Record league defeat 0-18 v Preston North End (FA Cup, 1894)
Record Buy: Emerse Faé – £2,500,000 from Nantes.
Record Sale: Greg Halford – £3,000,000 to Sunderland.
Recent History
Following a season of surprise as the Reading made the playoffs in the first season back in the second tier, The Royals then achieved promotion from the Championship in 2005/06. Largely helped by the goals of new signing Leroy Lita, and the industrious work of Steven Sidwell from midfield, the team in blue and white stripes took the title with a record 106 points, only losing two games all season, on the first day of the season against Plymouth Argyle, and away at Luton Town live on Sky.
They rounded off the league with a narrow 2-1 win over QPR at the Madejski Stadium, with striker Ray Jones playing an influential role in Rangers goal.
The first season in the Premier League brought joy for Steve Coppell`s men as the team finished a lofty eighth, merely one place below what would have been an incredible UEFA Cup spot. They turned down the chance to play in Europe that season, via the Inter-toto cup.
Then beware the Second Season Syndrome as the Royals flattered to deceive in their second term of the big time, and were promptly relegated after a lacklustre season, despite beating fellow relegation outfit Derby County 4-0. Rumours surrounding Steve Coppell`s future then began to surface, but the ex-Brentford boss is still around and hopes to lead Reading back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
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