The high's and lows of being a Reading fan......

[St. Brynjar]

Only 10 for me. The 11/12 promotion (particularly Saints away) is probably my highlight. Arsenal capitulation the lowest point, that took a while to get over.

[ManchesterRoyals]

High Simod Cup
Lows playoff finals

[Winchester Royal]

I think the obvious ones are the big games we've won and lost, the promotions and relegations etc - no point me repeating them in any detail. The games that aren't often mentioned are the ones that got us to that point, so while obviously not in the category of absolute highs and lows, the following deserve some honourable mentions. These are a personal selection of memorable/notable games which either had something riding on them or were significant at the time.

Highs

West Brom 2-3 Reading, FA cup 5th round, 2010. After the draw with the 10s Kebe goal, we went to the Hawthorns and Brian Howard nicked an equaliser at the death - Gyfi curled one in from 30 yards in extra time and we were one step from Wembley, which Villa put paid to.

Reading 3-3 Bournemouth, 2001. Bournemouth, with a young Jermaine Defoe, had won the majority of their games at the end of the season and were looking at a playoff place they could beat us. We had lost out to Rotherham for 2nd place and would have faced Bournemouth again in the playoffs if they had won. Caskey with his first touch of the game, and Nicky Forster in the 88th minute saw us pull back having been 3-1 down with about 20 minutes to go. Then we had that crazy Wigan game in the playoffs. Watching the video of the last few minutes against Wigan still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Southampton 1-3 Reading, 2012. Not quite sure how we managed it, but that game was the night I felt we would go on to win the league. A massive, massive result in the back yard of a team who had dominated the majority of that season.

The 3-3 draw at Blackburn in 2007 during we we looked like grabbing a spot in the following year's UEFA cup. watching Reading trying to finish 7th in the top flight seemed like a fairytale.

Lows

The Fulham and Bolton games in the 2008 relegation season. Crucial home games in which we lost 2-0 to relegation rivals. The end of that season was such a capitulation and led to the dismantling of the 106 team. Relegation at Derby seemed inevitable after that.

Birmingham in 2009, when they went up at our expense by winning 2-1 at the Madejski. It was described elsewhere as somehow managing to finish third in a two horse race, and that summed it up well given we did the double over that years's champions, Wolves. Burnley in the playoffs felt much the same.

Villa in the cup, 2010
Arsenal in the cup, 2012.

[Lower West]

The low has to be the utter collapse of the football league pyramid. My earliest days were spent on the Shelf at White Hart lane. Also for a period on Spurs away days used to toodle down to watch Crystal Palace's rise under Terry Venables. Premiership football died for me many moons ago once ticket prices stopped having any connection to the true value of the entertainment on the pitch and the ever growing distance between fans and players.

The high has been following Reading for the past 30 years. In part part time then ever increasingly full time. JM is a good man. Was fortunate on one occasion to spend time in the Directors Box with him and John Thompson the then Chairman of QPR.

I expect the next low to the sale of the club to yet another foreign investor. That has no connection to the fans or community.

With ticket prices priced so highly even at Swindon who I watch as they are just across the road. I may hang up my boots in protest. My hope is Portsmouths new model works. As it maybe the best hope for future at the lower league level. As that's something I would support.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

35 years for me. 25 years (and out) as a ST.

Highs:

Simod Cup Semi Final v Coventry
The 93-95 era, in particular winning the title at Home to Brighton.
Home to Boro, first game in the PL. The Scorpions finest hour.

Lows:
Without doubt that has to be RFC today. I've seen a lot of changes in my time, some good some bad, but there is literally nothing to like about RFC right now. I hate the ownership issue, the manager, the players and the fans. I've stood through some utterly appalling football under Porterfield but never stopped my from feeling proud to support RFC. What is there to be proud of now?

Some people have said that its the same everywhere, well they must just have their head stuck in some sort of Sky Sports bubble. In recent years I've been to Derby games in Milan to FA Trophy ties in Barrow to Freezing Tuesday nights watching a B&B tie. I've enjoyed them immensely. The atmosphere at the 'all seated' Ibrox in a CL tie literally blew my mind. There's plenty of fun to be had watching football today. Just not following Reading, sadly.

[Royal Lady]

I just don't feel any connection to these players - I've said it previously too. I look back to the 106 team and they all seemed to bleed blue and white for us - Little, Murty, Sidwell etc - we don't have that now. Maybe we will if we use the Academy players. Maybe the Anton thing destabilised everyone - the whole ownership thing up in the air etc - it's not any better now - but fingers crossed it gets sorted before the start of the season - the players and manager see we have an ownership who want us to do well and are willing to pay some way toward achieving it. If not, it will be more of the same - no motivation for players or fans and I'll not be turning out in the wind/rain/snow to watch inept performances.

[tmesis]

Highs

86/87 - even though I only started going to games the previous year (not living in Reading) it seemed like "the promised land" in the 2nd division. I felt so proud when we drew 1-1 at Ipswich on the final day to clinch 13th - the club record highest placing.

the Simod Cup Final - just an utterly unreal experience.

93/94 & 94/95 - a era where you felt the team could be blindfolded, and they still be able to pick out each other with passes, such was the understanding between the players.

Reading 2 Wolves 1 - Archie's two goals were about the most mental I can ever remember the Southbank being.

The 106 team.


Lows

the play-off finals, especially the first v Bolton

The weeks before McGhee got appointed, which felt like the culmination of a rudderless few years.

The shambolic final third of the season collapse under Bullivant, from virtual safety to 15 defeats in 17 games. Bullivant's final game at Oxford was perhaps the most venomous match I can remember.

2012/13 - the whole season. I never thought we were good enough to stay up, even pre-season. The opening game had relegation stamped all over it despite the late draw, and the whole season was an inevitable stumble to a mid 20s points tally.

Now. It feels rudderless again, and there's nothing I enjoy about going to the Madejski any more. Part of it is having been round the block a number of times now, so the novelty has completely gone, but the football is dull and the atmosphere is flat. It's not even the lack of singing. There's just no buzz in the crowd most of the time.

[FridaysGhost]

Highs;- Watching Friday play.
Promotion Seasons.
Premiership Campaigns.

Lows:- NOW!

[Gordons Cumming]

Highs;- Watching Friday play.
Promotion Seasons.
Premiership Campaigns.

Lows:- NOW!

Now?

I remember bottom half of old Division 4.

That has to be an all time low.

[Martin41]

I don't understand how so many people say now is such a low point.
Young players coming through, could surprise us all.
Yes not signed anyone in a long time and the ownership drags on, but seriously could be so much worse!
No one knows what the next owner will bring, might be a spending spree.
So many teams worse than us, we have been challenging in the championship or been in the premier league over the last 10 years.
Good god get a grip!
And if you don't want to go, don't go, stop bleating about it, as if you are not going anymore ( and I know some can't go due to costs) which I understand, why do you even care, as you don't support the team any longer in my eyes.

[tmesis]

And if you don't want to go, don't go, stop bleating about it, as if you are not going anymore ( and I know some can't go due to costs) which I understand, why do you even care, as you don't support the team any longer in my eyes.

You are completely missing the point.

If people had just stopped caring, they'd stop going too.

The problem is that they want to care. They want to get that feeling back or looking forward to a home game, not just for the football, but for the atmosphere. We want to be part of the day, not just watch it. We want to be part of a crowd, not an audience.

For the record I really don't buy into the "rumblestix" stereotype either. The problem isn't that we have the wrong kind of atmosphere. It's that we rarely seem excited about the game.

[Martin41]

And if you don't want to go, don't go, stop bleating about it, as if you are not going anymore ( and I know some can't go due to costs) which I understand, why do you even care, as you don't support the team any longer in my eyes.

You are completely missing the point.

If people had just stopped caring, they'd stop going too.

The problem is that they want to care. They want to get that feeling back or looking forward to a home game, not just for the football, but for the atmosphere. We want to be part of the day, not just watch it. We want to be part of a crowd, not an audience.

For the record I really don't buy into the "rumblestix" stereotype either. The problem isn't that we have the wrong kind of atmosphere. It's that we rarely seem excited about the game.

Then help create the atmosphere! Too many on here and at the game, just moan and get on the teams back for the whole 90 mins!
I believe that many don't care, which they are entitled to do of course, and to use I don't feel any connection to the management, players, fans etc is just a cop out. Seems that now things are or might be a bit tougher than previous years it's an easy excuse to use.............. In my opinion of course!
I will continue to go and support the team no matter what......and if less people are saying they are not going......at least I get out of the car park quicker!

[FridaysGhost]

Highs;- Watching Friday play.
Promotion Seasons.
Premiership Campaigns.

Lows:- NOW!

Now?

I remember bottom half of old Division 4.

That has to be an all time low.

I enjoyed our ups and downs in the third and fourth divisions. In those days, we had ownership and management that did not aspire that much higher. To compare then to now is moronic. We now understand what RFC could be, what our potential radius of fans is - and we have about 20 years of realising our potential including 3 years in the Premiership and most of the rest of the time, at the upper reaches of the Championship.

True regret is showing all of the potential to be up there mixing it with the big boys - and then finding that we have all been told lies, the club is bancrupt AND unless we;re bought by a Chancer, we may have no future at all! The old 4th Division seems quite good to me now - we were owned by local magnates who were also fans - even if they did'nt have a clue. That was part of the Romance!

[AthleticoSpizz]

Wasn't too romantic when Charlie Hurley put the whole team up for sale mind.

But hell, yes......I echo your sentiments and the Madejski generation may well be staring at some forthcoming bad times, that may well have them appreciating the previous ten/twelve years...whatever they think of them right now

[strap]

Goodness me! So many are complaining that now is the lowest point they have experienced as RFC fans!!

Try starting to follow RFC in 1971-72 season! Try watching the Porterfield or Bullivant teams!!

Last season we finished 7th in the 2nd tier, which in case it has been forgotten, was the equal 9th best finishing position we have achieved in 88 years.

Not to mention the average attendance of 19161 being the 7th best in 88 years of League football for RFC.

Granted the ownership debacle was (and still is) one of the most embarrassing episodes in the club's 140 odd years history, and DOES need to be sorted pronto. However, we have a manager who at least is a genuine bloke who does seem to have a degree of integrity, unlike some of the past lot, (Bodgers, Pardew, McGhee et al).

We have a significant number of Academy/U21 players who do seem to have a genuine chance of making the grade. We also seem to have a bit of team spirit brewing away in the background.

Now I admit to being an old fart, but some of you on here have very short memories. If you genuinely feel these times are the LOW points in your times supporting RFC, then either a) you haven't been supporting RFC for very long, or b) you're suffering from a severe case of memory loss. In either case, go to your local library, get out old copies of Rothmans/Sky Yearbooks and actually discover the history of the club!

Just to put things into perspective, last season's 7th place wasn't even our worst in the last 12 years. Since 2002/03, we've finished 24th, 29th, 27th, 21st, 8th, 18th, 24th, 29th, 25th, 21st, 19th and last season 27th place in the English Football pyramid of the top 92 league teams. Only ONCE before 2002/03 have we finished anywhere near these places, 24th in 1994/95, in our ENTIRE football league history.

So PLEASE, get some perspective. Yes, we have ownership issues. Yes, we haven't signed anyone who has made any lasting impression on the team recently, (although fingers crossed Danny Williams gets fit soon - and that presumes you don't count McCleary, Gunter et al). But SERIOUSLY, is this worse than watching us getting stuffed home and away 5-1 by Bury? Or being dumped out of FAC1 by Brentwood? I could go on, but there's little point. The Playstation/Twatter/Facebook generation, with attention spans of goldfish, think all is lost unless we are playing "beautiful" football, and lording it over all and sundry 24/7!

Jeez, kids today!

[Martin41]

Goodness me! So many are complaining that now is the lowest point they have experienced as RFC fans!!

Try starting to follow RFC in 1971-72 season! Try watching the Porterfield or Bullivant teams!!

Last season we finished 7th in the 2nd tier, which in case it has been forgotten, was the equal 9th best finishing position we have achieved in 88 years.

Not to mention the average attendance of 19161 being the 7th best in 88 years of League football for RFC.

Granted the ownership debacle was (and still is) one of the most embarrassing episodes in the club's 140 odd years history, and DOES need to be sorted pronto. However, we have a manager who at least is a genuine bloke who does seem to have a degree of integrity, unlike some of the past lot, (Bodgers, Pardew, McGhee et al).

We have a significant number of Academy/U21 players who do seem to have a genuine chance of making the grade. We also seem to have a bit of team spirit brewing away in the background.



Now I admit to being an old fart, but some of you on here have very short memories. If you genuinely feel these times are the LOW points in your times supporting RFC, then either a) you haven't been supporting RFC for very long, or b) you're suffering from a severe case of memory loss. In either case, go to your local library, get out old copies of Rothmans/Sky Yearbooks and actually discover the history of the club!

Just to put things into perspective, last season's 7th place wasn't even our worst in the last 12 years. Since 2002/03, we've finished 24th, 29th, 27th, 21st, 8th, 18th, 24th, 29th, 25th, 21st, 19th and last season 27th place in the English Football pyramid of the top 92 league teams. Only ONCE before 2002/03 have we finished anywhere near these places, 24th in 1994/95, in our ENTIRE football league history.

So PLEASE, get some perspective. Yes, we have ownership issues. Yes, we haven't signed anyone who has made any lasting impression on the team recently, (although fingers crossed Danny Williams gets fit soon - and that presumes you don't count McCleary, Gunter et al). But SERIOUSLY, is this worse than watching us getting stuffed home and away 5-1 by Bury? Or being dumped out of FAC1 by Brentwood? I could go on, but there's little point. The Playstation/Twatter/Facebook generation, with attention spans of goldfish, think all is lost unless we are playing "beautiful" football, and lording it over all and sundry 24/7!

Jeez, kids today!

Yes pretty much what I said earlier so for that +1

[Mr Irascible]

Agreed wholeheartedly!!!

[AthleticoSpizz]

Goodness me! So many are complaining that now is the lowest point they have experienced as RFC fans!!

Try starting to follow RFC in 1971-72 season! Try watching the Porterfield or Bullivant teams!!

Last season we finished 7th in the 2nd tier, which in case it has been forgotten, was the equal 9th best finishing position we have achieved in 88 years.

Not to mention the average attendance of 19161 being the 7th best in 88 years of League football for RFC.

Granted the ownership debacle was (and still is) one of the most embarrassing episodes in the club's 140 odd years history, and DOES need to be sorted pronto. However, we have a manager who at least is a genuine bloke who does seem to have a degree of integrity, unlike some of the past lot, (Bodgers, Pardew, McGhee et al).

We have a significant number of Academy/U21 players who do seem to have a genuine chance of making the grade. We also seem to have a bit of team spirit brewing away in the background.

Now I admit to being an old fart, but some of you on here have very short memories. If you genuinely feel these times are the LOW points in your times supporting RFC, then either a) you haven't been supporting RFC for very long, or b) you're suffering from a severe case of memory loss. In either case, go to your local library, get out old copies of Rothmans/Sky Yearbooks and actually discover the history of the club!

Just to put things into perspective, last season's 7th place wasn't even our worst in the last 12 years. Since 2002/03, we've finished 24th, 29th, 27th, 21st, 8th, 18th, 24th, 29th, 25th, 21st, 19th and last season 27th place in the English Football pyramid of the top 92 league teams. Only ONCE before 2002/03 have we finished anywhere near these places, 24th in 1994/95, in our ENTIRE football league history.

So PLEASE, get some perspective. Yes, we have ownership issues. Yes, we haven't signed anyone who has made any lasting impression on the team recently, (although fingers crossed Danny Williams gets fit soon - and that presumes you don't count McCleary, Gunter et al). But SERIOUSLY, is this worse than watching us getting stuffed home and away 5-1 by Bury? Or being dumped out of FAC1 by Brentwood? I could go on, but there's little point. The Playstation/Twatter/Facebook generation, with attention spans of goldfish, think all is lost unless we are playing "beautiful" football, and lording it over all and sundry 24/7!

Jeez, kids today!

Pretty much sums up in a thousand words what I said in ten

You say it better though

[tmesis]

Goodness me! So many are complaining that now is the lowest point they have experienced as RFC fans!!

No they aren't.

It's more about being the least inspiring times. It'd be wrong to say watching Reading is a joyless experience, but the football's dull, the atmosphere's flat, and there's little grounds for optimism. I know a number of fans who'v been going for 25-30 years or so who feel similar, so it's certainly not a "new generation" thing.

I'd love to get the old feeling back. That feeling of really looking forward to the game, can't wait until kick-off, the feeling of growing anticipation as the ground fills up, the noise of the crowd, and those moments of going mental when we score.


I remember bumping into Kevin Dillon on a train once, and he moaned that Reading fans have no passion, and at the Madejski, on the whole, he's right. You get the odd day when the crowd are so up for it that when we score you can feel the floor bouncing, but it's all too rare.

[AthleticoSpizz]

the latter part of the 106 season had all of those ingredients.....as did the season after..... to a large degree...amazing support and atmosphere to get us over the line and a "point or three" on several games.

The club had no choice but to buy into that "Premier thing" whilst without actually buying much at all.

Some of the "traditional" fans had lost heart (myself included), their long standing loyalty and support getting fleeced by the business demands and expectations that were then placed onto the club directorship.

Those 2005-2008 days may well return, but meantime, the game itself, is there to be enjoyed....like it or lump it....the club in its current incarnation will never be as bleak as a grassless pitch team in Div 4 fielding part-time bricklayers

For that, be thankful