handbags_harrisMr Optimist I also agree with regard to the shaping of the team and playing style parallels with McGhee c 1992 season. That 92-93 season, and in particular the second half of it, was the one where I started to dare to dream that our little provincial club could do more than aspire to be Division 3 cloggers for eternity. There was finally a plan.
Funnily enough, this was the exact period of time where my Reading FC interest really started to grab a hold of me. I'd been to matches prior to 92/93 of course, about half a dozen or so, but the 92/93 FA Cup run and the 11 match unbeaten run in Feb/Mar 93 made this impressionable 10 year old really sit up and take notice. Trying not to appear up my own a**e, I view my own experience as a near perfect representation of what can be achieved with new, youthful support when you have the first vestiges of a successful side bearing fruit. I have supported the club and attended matches ever since, regardless of my location in the country (and indeed overseas - I was in Germany for the duration of 93/94 and first half of 94/95).
Good to hear Handbags, I am guessing you won't be alone in that era being a crucial stepping stone in the growth of the fan base and development in to the Reading FC of today. Hope you did manage to get to see some of the 1993 to 96 games in the flesh on trips back to the UK as it really was a great time. I was lucky enough to be in my mid20s at the time so was able to go home and away and I definitely have fond memories of some of the away trips in particular.
92 was also the return of the hoops after a nine year absence and that definitely played a part with the feel good factor and a reconnection with the fans after the Annie Bassett South Bank card era and general disconnection and disullision many people felt with the drifting club we were in 88-91.