Simod Cup - 25th anniversary

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Quarter of a century later and playing in the Premier League, who would have thought that back in 1988?

[AthleticoSpizz]

Not good enough!

We are already out of next years Champions League

[frimmers3]

Quarter of a century later and playing in the Premier League, who would have thought that back in 1988?

you mean you have moved up one division since then?

[Pandoras Box]

Wasn't it Jethro Tull that had a hit with 'Living in the Past'?

[TFF]

Might actually buy a programme this weekend

Five quid?

No fanks.

[Tony Le Mesmer]

Possibly the best value programme I've ever bought. Top effort by the club, but not quite sure what the villa fans made if it!

[Divvy]

Quarter of a century later and playing in the Premier League, who would have thought that back in 1988?

you mean you have moved up one division since then?

[Biscuit_Boy]

Wasn't it Jethro Tull that had a hit with 'Living in the Past'?

I wouldn't know, I only listen to current music.

[BenReadingFC]

Full game now uploaded with pre and post match footage. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/shinpadruss

Nice 1, Thanks

[Biscuit_Boy]

Lots of people are saying 'who cares, it's only a Mickey Mouse cup'. It doesn't matter what competition it is, at the end of the day no football match matters, it's just 22 blokes running around a park. It's about how it makes you feel and how brings people together. I couldn't imagine feeling more euphoric than straight after the semi-final against Coventry, the streets around Elm Park were absolutely buzzing. It wouldn't have made any difference were it the FA Cup or Champions League, it's the feeling it gives you. Also, surely it's a relative thing? Little old Reading's first final, first trip to Wembley is going to mean more to our fans than, say, Manchester United going there for the 20th time.

[floyd__streete]

Quarter of a century later and playing in the Premier League, who would have thought that back in 1988?

you mean you have moved up one division since then?

Increased our avergae crowd four-fold. Moved from an antiquated ground with no hope for development to a purpose-built stadium which can be developed if necessary. Achieved each and every one of our 12 best league finishes.

I guess Reading fans don't need the above spelling out, but you so clearly require the history lesson.

[Silver Fox]

I guess Reading fans don't need the above spelling out.

Sadly most of the team board content these days suggests otherwise

[floyd__streete]

I guess Reading fans don't need the above spelling out.

Sadly most of the team board content these days suggests otherwise

Fair. But I suspect that most of these drones will be suspiciously missing next season anyway when the crowds plunge down to 16k (which - Frimmers will no doubt be fascinated to learn - is still more than 2 and a half times the crowds we were getting 25 years ago.

That said: empty seats > empty heads.

[shaka's shorts]

I was a bit disappointed that after the club gave it the big build up, all we had was Branfoot, little Stevie Rich and Hicks on the pitch. Where were the rest of the squad who were apparently invited? I expect they were still in the pub after RFC refused to pay for their lunch at the Mad stad!

[windermere_royal]

I was a bit disappointed that after the club gave it the big build up, all we had was Branfoot, little Stevie Rich and Hicks on the pitch. Where were the rest of the squad who were apparently invited? I expect they were still in the pub after RFC refused to pay for their lunch at the Mad stad!

surprised Gilksey didn`t make an appearance, he only lives round the corner.

[RoyalBlue]

I was a bit disappointed that after the club gave it the big build up, all we had was Branfoot, little Stevie Rich and Hicks on the pitch. Where were the rest of the squad who were apparently invited? I expect they were still in the pub after RFC refused to pay for their lunch at the Mad stad!

Is that bit about the lunch true? If so, there really are some rotten C88ts at Reading Football Club. More than happy to make some extra dosh on the back of the Simod Cup squad's achievement but too sodding tight to buy them lunch.

And what the hell were they playing at only offering the £5 programme set? I should imagine the Villa fans were pretty p*ssed off by that. I suspect there were also quite a few home supporters who didn't really want to be forced into paying a fiver for their normal match day programme (albeit for those who wanted the Simod Cup mag as well, £5 wasn't a bad deal).

[shaka's shorts]

Adie Williams & Jonny Fordham said the club wouldn't give them lunch, so they were all meeting up at the pub first...

[Tony Le Mesmer]

25 years ago today.

[Stuka]

50 years ago today was the infamous Beeching reports which saught to dramatically reduce Britain's railways.

[From Despair To Where?]

And 24 years ago today we were drawing 1-1 at The Rec courtesy of a dodgy last minute Stuart Beavon penalty. Oh how the times have changed.

I remember that day as equally clearly as the SImod Cup final, musing on where we had been a year to the day previously whilst watching my mate being carted off from the overcrowded cow shed by an overly zealous Hampshire Constabulary for the heinous crime of waving to a friend.