The rivalries that fuel Reading FC's passionate fanbase

04 November 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Football is not the only game, but it can evoke a spirit of competition like nothing else. Reading FC is no stranger to rivalries. For Reading the team’s long history of tense battles has made them what they are today. These battles, whether it’s a home derby or a playoff game, are the heart of the team for players and fans alike.

Every fierce contest is not only a contest of winning, but a game to see which clubs have the most passionate following. Competition means more than a fixture list for Reading fans. These fixtures highlight the collective of a community and make it all the more special for fans to be connected with the team they cherish. Let’s look at the rivalries that have kept Reading FC and its fans going.

Oxford United

Reading has a long-standing feud with Oxford United, a club that lies a little more than 30 miles away. The Thames Valley Derby involves games that are propelled by both proximity and homegrown rivalries. For both sides of fans, these contests are much more than just league standings. Pride and reputation are on the line.

There have been good times and bad times in the history of the competition. When both teams played in lower divisions, the derby blew up. Even today, although the clubs do not compete at all as they aren’t in the same division, there is still tension. Royals fans can talk about some thrilling games against Oxford, such as the time Reading clinched the game in front of a packed Madejski Stadium crowd. The local nature of these games has made Oxford one of Reading’s most beloved rivals.

Swindon Town

Another club that Reading has been under siege by for years is Swindon Town. The relationship with the Robins is old, from a time when the two clubs used to split league seasons. When Swindon is in town, games are notoriously high-octane and full of ultra-partisan supporters.

Swindon has been on the relegation train for most of its recent history, but the competition hasn’t diminished. Older Reading fans have fond memories of fierce encounters and bloody defeats. Even younger fans maintain the passion, taking every chance they can to get a cup competition back on the table.

The fierce rivalry between Swindon and Reading can even be seen in betting markets. Many of the sportsbooks rated by the AG review service, a sports betting and iGaming review platform that ranks many establishments based on criteria like customer service, bonuses and sports selection, offer even odds for both sides, showing just how competitive both teams are.

Aldershot Town

Reading’s relationship with Aldershot Town isn’t something people talk about now, but it was once one of the Royals’ closest local rivalries. Reading vs Aldershot were big games in the early decades of both teams’ histories. The games were violent, competitive and typically dramatic.

With Aldershot’s economic problems and later decline down the football pyramid, the rivalry died down eventually. However, the odd cup trip has reignited the fire and brought back memories of a time when fans were in the stadium for the game. The rivalry doesn’t carry as much baggage as it once did, but it remains special to long-time followers.

Long-standing fans on both sides still relish rare matchups, giving them a chance to relive the glory days when the fire burned the brightest.

Fulham

Fulham has been a rival to Reading FC in recent years, since the 2016-17 season ended in a shock playoff semi-final match. Reading defeated Fulham two-legged, secured their Wembley ticket and left Fulham fans broken. This playoff triumph established competition between the two teams, and matches have had an extra angle since.

Fulham’s open-play ethos is usually in conflict with Reading’s toughness and grind, and matchups are often action-packed games that will leave you gasping. This modern rivalry shows how one moment of game can reshape clubs and their history together in the blink of an eye.

Only time will tell if Fulham will continue to be a rival in the future, but for now, there’s no doubt that Reading fans see Fulham as their opposition.

What rivals mean to Reading fans

For Reading fans, these battles are about much more than 90 minutes on the pitch. They symbolise a society’s glory, the excitement of collective victory and the collective angst of crushing defeat. Rivalries bring fans together, turning short games into dramas of connection. Whether it’s an away win over Oxford to get some local bragging rights or a match-up against Birmingham, these games stick with fans for years.

The same passion that rivalries fuel helps define a club’s culture. These epic games have become as important to Reading as any other part of the Royals' identity or fanbase. Every sport, local or national, has a different way that fans relate to the team and one another.

Football rivalries might not always be the prettiest — and there’s no doubt that they can get out of hand, but at the crux of it all is a shared love for community and football that no one can take away.

Conclusion

As Reading grows and develops in English football, these rivalries will only get bigger. Either feeding off the old blood with Aldershot or beating modern-day foes such as Fulham, these fixtures guarantee the Royals’ tale will always have an element of drama and ferocity. They give fans something to look back on and a chance to come together to cheer for the team they love.

A football match is the lifeblood of football, and for Reading FC, it is a bridge to the past, present and future. Throughout new seasons, the energy that comes from these games will continue to fuel the club and its fans, so Reading can always be the team that is known for being a place for anyone to come together and share their passion for football.

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