When was your first Reading game?

[harryroyal]

Lets see who's the longest serving fan. I first saw Reading in 03. Played swansea.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Preston Home, April 1971 - behind the Tilehurst End goal at Elm Park. We got relagated that season to div 4 for the first time but actually won that game 1-0 against a side which got promoted that season.

Must be loads of fans on here who can beat that though.

[OldBiscuit]

Lets see who's the longest serving fan. I first saw Reading in 03. Played swansea.

Reading V Wallsall 27/12/1966, the day after Wallsall had beaten us by the same scoreline at Fellows Park 26/12/1966.
There was none of this poncy need for a few days to recover then.

[biscuitman]

May 1995

http://www.royals.org/matdoc/070595.html

Division One
7 May 1995

READING 2 Charlton 1
Nogan, Williams
Att: 12,100

On the way to the match listening to Radio Berks it was suggested Reading were going to really turn on the class, and Williams was quoted as saying they'd be aiming for 4 or 5. That never happened and the match wasn't the greatest ever but it was a wonderful end to an amazing season that sees Reading finish second - 2 points ahead of Boltonton. This has been an amazing season and there now no reason at all why we shouldn't dispose of Tranmere in the Play Off legs and go on to win at Wembley. Premiership football is now just 3 matches away. Its a grat sign when Reading can play like they did and still run out winners. Overall the game was about equal with Reading just doing enough to win the game, but even last season it would have been impossible to imagine Charlton coming to Elm Park as such underdogs. So the game wasn't much but the atmosphere was and easily made up for it as a packed South Bank partyed Reading into second place!

The Royals started brightly from the kick off making a couple of chances before deservedly taking the lead after about 10 minutes. Gooding got the ball inside the Charlton half and shook off his marker with ease before spotting Nogan making a run in towards the area. Gooding delivered an excellent pass for Nogan to run onto taking the ball up to the keeper on the left side and chipping the ball over the goalies diving body. The ball was in the net - "to the champions 1-0, to the champions 1-0!", and we all started partying. Lee '6 million` Nogan taking the applause of the crowd and several chorus' of Nogans wonderland.

The rest of the half Reading sat on their lead, needing to do little against an inexperienced Charlton team who looked unlikely to finish. The second half was different as Shaka, voted Readings player of the year, pulled off some amazing saves to the delight of the Reading faithful. Twice he made point blank saves from powerful shots from close distance. Eventually Charltons pressure paid off from a corner. As the ball came across a head made contact and Gooding on the line couldn't jump high enough.

Andy Bernal had a terrific game as right back creating several chances and annoying the Charlton attack. Once he made his was past a few defenders and into a shooting chance but took the ball too wide making an easy stop for the keeper in the Charlton goal. When the ball came across the middle somehow Lovell fired well high from just a few yards out. Tom Jones replaced Bernal eventually. Nogan almost sneaked a second with a volley that hit the crossbar.

With about 4 minutes left Quinn put himself on inplace of Lovell and the substitution paid off as Reading won a corner on the right. The Charlton defenders obviously aware of Quinns goal scoring ability and Quinn attracted two markers. The corner from Tom Jones came across and over the head of Quinn to Williams waiting towards the left side of the area and almost unmarked, Williams rose and headed the ball with power into the net. The celebrations began.

Link to Hob Nob Anyone? Home Page

[akranes]

I'm a newbie... probably around 2005? Ipswich vs Reading away 2005/6 is one of my clearest earlier memories - which compared to some other peoples is nothing it all!

[royalp-we]

17 April 1999

Reading 0 - 1 Nothampton

We were dull, uninspiring and I've been hooked ever since.

[Norfolk Royal]

Can't exactly remember the year, would have been around 1970/71. Think we beat Doncaster Rovers 2-0.

[grey_squirrel]

Fred May testimonial v Arsenal - October 1974.

D stand

Hooked ever since.

0-2 Arsenal.

Good gate from what (little) I remember.

[Handsome Man]

About 1973 on a Sunday, 4-0 up at half time and winning 5-0 against Northampton, or Doncaster, or 1974, and Robin Friday might have played.

[From Despair To Where?]

1983. Our last season in Division 4.

[ManchesterRoyals]

Steve Death testimonial in the 1979–80 season match against a Young England XI

Was in the South Bank it was the only place to be to watch the mighty royals in action to be honest still miss Elm Park

[stickywhisky]

Vs Bury League cup game in 1995 at Elm Park, I went to the replay after the original game was abandoned after 30 mins or so with Reading 2-0 up, started the replay at 0-0!

[stickywhisky]

I also remember being behind the goal vs Forest when Steve Stone missed from 2 yards out - anyone else there that night?

[southstand67]

Steve Death testimonial in the 1979–80 season match against a Young England XI

Was in the South Bank it was the only place to be to watch the mighty royals in action to be honest still miss Elm Park

I couldn't get to that, my mate got me a programme though - Jerry Williams scored?

My first match as mentioned else where; Kettering Town, FA Cup, November 24th 1979 - Reading won 4-2

[blythspartan]

I think it was unusually a Wednesday afternoon, 19 January 1972. Reading 6 Blyth Spartans 1. I will always be grateful to my dad for setting me on the right path.

[Bristol Paul]

1984 - havent got a clue who they played, but hooked from then on

[peterroyal76]

1985 Tilehurst end, not sure who it was against, but I had free tickets!

[Royal Monk]

I also remember being behind the goal vs Forest when Steve Stone missed from 2 yards out - anyone else there that night?

Count me in on that

My first was the game against wolves i think when we were going for the record number of wins at the start of the season , cant remember the year

[windermere_royal]

Reading 3 Stockport 0, John Sainty (2) John Collins, sometime around 1967

[Ark Royal]

Home to Walsall 1st January 1966. 3-0 win. They sold tickets for the third round tie against Sheffield Wednesday at the back of the South Bank after the game. Mum and Dad did not get me one