Biggest Rivals

[Maguire]

The Aldershot thing is a bit gimp IMHO. I've been watching Reading consistently for a good 16/17 years and I've never seen us play them. They mean absolutely nothing to me and the rivalry from our side is, I suspect, just a load of the old skool clinging to the past.

[Thaumagurist*]

'greed, mags. Although I was at the friendly game a few years back, I was surprised at the hostility displayed by the natives at that game.

[Isaac Hunt]

Been going since 79 and can only recall the odd game back then. Seem to remember a late Trevor Senior winner against them when we were last in the 4th Division....and the endless chanting of "Aldersh*t, Aldersh*t, Aldersh*t..."

Since that point I've never really considered them as a rival, but as already mentioned on here, they're probably the only club that have us marked as their number 1.

[ellpryjon]

some Aldershyte songs

http://www.redbluearmy.com/chants.html

[Murts-is-Lej]

BTW - for us it is QPR with honourable mention to Fulham and Watford distant third with Reading still clearing the fina hurdle and well beaten.

A Bees fan in Hungerford - almost an expat?! There's got to be some history there to still be bothered..

[LUX]

The Aldershot thing is a bit gimp IMHO. I've been watching Reading consistently for a good 16/17 years and I've never seen us play them. They mean absolutely nothing to me and the rivalry from our side is, I suspect, just a load of the old skool clinging to the past.

element of truth in the last sentence, of course, but it is embarrassing referring to Oxford/Swindon as "scum/poxford/the Swine" etc, when it is clear that neither are remotely bothered about us. At least Aldershite (arf arf) are very local and do indeed care about us. (We are perhaps second in Oxford's list, but well down Swindon's, after THE POX ( ) and the Bristol clubs, Gills, ( ) Cheltenham, Cardiff.................)

Our rivals "should" be Brentford, but that has never taken off.

I agree with much of Hungerford Bee's post about Reading getting above their station (I am old skool after all) but would point out that the teams he mentions (QPR, Fulham and Watford) are barely interested in his lot, and he knows it.

So come on you Bees, how about it? We're both in need of a partner.

[Archie's penalty]

I love this one from the Aldershot sight:

My old man said be a Reading fan
I said F*** off b*llocks, you're a C***, You're a C***
I'd rather sh*g a bucket with a big hole in it then be a Reading fan for just one minute,
With hatchets and hammers, stanley knives and spanners
I'd show those Reading b*st*rds how to fight
HOW TO FIGHT
I'd rather sh*g a bucket with a big hole in it then be a Reading fan.
All together now...

Quite touching to be honest.

[RG30]

The suggestion that Wolves, Sheff Utd and Watford are rivals is simply laughable, we share nothing more than either good encounters or ex connections with managers.

I think if we were to draw Aldershot in a cup tie then it would mean a lot to the older generation of fans when running battles in the town and on the South Bank were a common occourance in the 70's. The Oxford/Swindon derby is certainly bigger than anything we have against them but the last time we faced Oxford (Carling Cup Aug 2004) was a much bigger let down (didn't even sell out) than the previous game at the Kassam a year earlier.

Whilst I wouldn't consider Bristol City anything like a local derby, we've both tradionally bought good away followings in recent years which has always led to a good atmosphere.

[Maguire]

The Aldershot thing is a bit gimp IMHO. I've been watching Reading consistently for a good 16/17 years and I've never seen us play them. They mean absolutely nothing to me and the rivalry from our side is, I suspect, just a load of the old skool clinging to the past.

element of truth in the last sentence, of course, but it is embarrassing referring to Oxford/Swindon as "scum/poxford/the Swine" etc, when it is clear that neither are remotely bothered about us. At least Aldershite (arf arf) are very local and do indeed care about us. (We are perhaps second in Oxford's list, but well down Swindon's, after THE POX ( ) and the Bristol clubs, Gills, ( ) Cheltenham, Cardiff.................)

Our rivals "should" be Brentford, but that has never taken off.

I agree with much of Hungerford Bee's post about Reading getting above their station (I am old skool after all) but would point out that the teams he mentions (QPR, Fulham and Watford) are barely interested in his lot, and he knows it.

So come on you Bees, how about it? We're both in need of a partner.

Completely agree about Swindon, hugely tenuous rivalry. Oxford on the other hand is, I think, a bit more well-founded. They're certainly the only club I really see as local rivals but then that may be because I used to live there. Got a bit lively up the Manor at the turn of the millennium as well on a couple of occasions.

Who needs a rival anyway, nothing wrong with not being a h8er.

[Franchise FC]

The suggestion that Wolves, Sheff Utd and Watford are rivals is simply laughable, we share nothing more than either good encounters or ex connections with managers.

I think if we were to draw Aldershot in a cup tie then it would mean a lot to the older generation of fans when running battles in the town and on the South Bank were a common occourance in the 70's. The Oxford/Swindon derby is certainly bigger than anything we have against them but the last time we faced Oxford (Carling Cup Aug 2004) was a much bigger let down (didn't even sell out) than the previous game at the Kassam a year earlier.

Whilst I wouldn't consider Bristol City anything like a local derby, we've both tradionally bought good away followings in recent years which has always led to a good atmosphere.

That's all well and good, but the thread asked for biggest rivals, not local rivals.

I'm pretty sure Liverpool see Man Utd as bigger rivals, but clearly they are not the most local.

[RG30]

The suggestion that Wolves, Sheff Utd and Watford are rivals is simply laughable, we share nothing more than either good encounters or ex connections with managers.

I think if we were to draw Aldershot in a cup tie then it would mean a lot to the older generation of fans when running battles in the town and on the South Bank were a common occourance in the 70's. The Oxford/Swindon derby is certainly bigger than anything we have against them but the last time we faced Oxford (Carling Cup Aug 2004) was a much bigger let down (didn't even sell out) than the previous game at the Kassam a year earlier.

Whilst I wouldn't consider Bristol City anything like a local derby, we've both tradionally bought good away followings in recent years which has always led to a good atmosphere.

That's all well and good, but the thread asked for biggest rivals, not local rivals.

I'm pretty sure Liverpool see Man Utd as bigger rivals, but clearly they are not the most local.

Aldershot > Oxford > Swindon. HTH

[Franchise FC]

The suggestion that Wolves, Sheff Utd and Watford are rivals is simply laughable, we share nothing more than either good encounters or ex connections with managers.

I think if we were to draw Aldershot in a cup tie then it would mean a lot to the older generation of fans when running battles in the town and on the South Bank were a common occourance in the 70's. The Oxford/Swindon derby is certainly bigger than anything we have against them but the last time we faced Oxford (Carling Cup Aug 2004) was a much bigger let down (didn't even sell out) than the previous game at the Kassam a year earlier.

Whilst I wouldn't consider Bristol City anything like a local derby, we've both tradionally bought good away followings in recent years which has always led to a good atmosphere.

That's all well and good, but the thread asked for biggest rivals, not local rivals.

I'm pretty sure Liverpool see Man Utd as bigger rivals, but clearly they are not the most local.

Aldershot > Oxford > Swindon. HTH

[Thaumagurist*]

I disagree with that. I think I've seen Reading play Swindon more than I have see Reading play Oxford and Aldershot put together. Hence me not liking Swindon....

[SteveRoyal]

Where's Kevin Blackwell?

I disagree with that. I think I've seen Reading play Swindon more than I have see Reading play Oxford and Aldershot put together. Hence me not liking Swindon....

& The fact they took Cox.

[West Stand Man]

This thread is sooo 1970s.

[RichieBowman]

Having aldershot as rivals is a bit of an embarrassment.............. nothing club with a flower bed behind the goal....... may as well say Henley Town, Maidenhead or Slough are rivals as they are comparable.

Only one rival .......bloody Oxford

[LUX]

hang on, Richie, at least Aldershot are a League club.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Think Bowman's Quiver is referring to Oxford City....

And yes, this thread is soooo 70s because those that remember only care about Aldersh*t.... and they certainly only care about us.... and Farnborough....

All together now:

"You're sooooo quiet you sound like Aldersh*t..... "

Sad, I know, but it is the only local game I really look forward.... we know we're just imposing on Oxford/Swindon, City/Gas, Pompey/Saints ....

Think global, act local.

[southstand67]

I would say Oxford, but then Watford will be fun next season.

[SHORT AND CURLY]

Ah you youngsters!
You haven't lived if you haven't slapped a fan from Aldershite!

Or run away from them on a very rare occasion!