Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]


Welcome to The Complex II. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE SIGNING UP, tweet us @TheComplexII, use a different email address (and we'll change it afterwards) or contact a member that you may already know through another source.

Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Locked Topic
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3
[Football] Reading FC; Version 2
Topic Started: Aug 7 2006, 09:34 AM (3,135 Views)
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Reading FC Thread

This is my thread about my favourite team, Reading FC. We're now in the Premiership, and hopefully we can stay up.

History

Posted Image

Reading were formed in 1871. They were originally nicknamed the Biscuitmen after one of the main trades in the town, Huntley & Palmers biscuits, but changed to the Royals in the 1970s. The club played at Reading Recreation Ground until 1878, before moving on to Reading Cricket Ground (1878-1882), Coley Park (1882-1889) and Caversham Cricket Ground (1889-1896). The switch to professionalism in 1895 resulted in the need for a bigger ground and, to this end, the club moved again, to the purpose built Elm Park on 5 September 1896.

In 1913 Reading toured Italy and beat Pro Vercelli, the Italian champions, AC Milan (5-0) and then the full Italian national team. The leading sports newspaper Corriere della Sera wrote "without doubt, Reading FC are the finest foreign team seen in Italy."

Reading were elected to the Third Division of the Football League in 1920, and have spent the majority of the time since then in the third tier of the league, with occasional flirtations with the second and fourth tiers. In season 1994-95, Reading's play-off defeat against Bolton Wanderers made them the only side to finish second in the First/Second Division and not receive promotion to the top level. This was due to the Premier League reducing its number of teams from 22 to 20.

Reading's best performance in the FA Cup came in 1926-27 when they lost to eventual winners Cardiff City in the semi-final. The side's moment of cup glory came in 1988 when they won the Simod Cup, beating a number of top flight sides en-route to their Wembley win over Luton Town.

Reading were promoted to the Second Division as champions in 1986 under the management of Ian Branfoot, but were relegated back to the Third Division in 1988. Branfoot left in October 1989, having failed to get the Royals back into the Second Division. His successor, Ian Porterfield, lasted just 18 months before further failures cost him his job.

The appointment of Mark McGhee as player-manager in June 1991 saw Reading move forward. They were crowned champions of the new Division Two in 1994 and, when McGhee moved to Leicester City halfway through the following season, Reading still appeared in with a chance of a second straight promotion. 35-year-old striker Jimmy Quinn was put in charge of the first team alongside midfielder Mick Gooding and guided Reading to runners-up in the final Division One table - only to be denied automatic promotion because of the streamlining of the Premiership. Reading had eased past Tranmere Rovers in the playoff semi-finals and looked to have booked their place in the Premiership after building up a 2-0 lead over Bolton Wanderers by half time in the final. Two late goals from Bolton forced extra time and the match ended 4-3 to Bolton. Quinn and Gooding's contracts were not renewed two years later after Reading had slid into the bottom half of Division One.

Their successor, Terry Bullivant, lasted less than one season before being sacked in March 1998. The Royals finished that season bottom of Division One and slipped into Division Two. Former Celtic boss, Tommy Burns lasted just 18 months before being replaced by Alan Pardew who had previously been reserve team manager before being released.

1998 also saw Reading move into the new 24,200-seat Madejski Stadium - named after chairman John Madejski - in the Smallmead area of the town.

Reading made it back to Division One in 2002 after finishing runners-up in Division Two. Good form the following season saw them finish fourth in Division One and qualify for the playoffs. Their promotion hopes were ended by a defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semi-finals, Reading's third unsuccessful attempt to gain promotion via play-offs. Pardew moved to West Ham United the following October and was replaced at Reading by Brighton & Hove Albion's Steve Coppell.

In 2004-05, Reading finished seventh in the Football League Championship and just missed out in the playoffs.

On 25 March 2006, Reading won promotion to the Premiership for the first time in their history. A draw at Leicester, coupled with Watford's defeat against Millwall, and Leeds United only drawing with Stoke City, secured Reading one of the top two automatic promotion places in the Championship. MPs congratulated Reading's successful season with two early day motions shortly after Reading finally secured promotion.The following week, they celebrated winning the Championship after defeating Derby County 5-0, while Stoke City held Sheffield United 1-1[4]. This sparked a pitch invasion and the players celebrated in front of the fans from the safety of the directors' box.

Records

Reading hold the English league record for the longest winning sequence at the start of a season with 13 victories in succession at the beginning of season 1985-86.

In 1979, Reading goalkeeper Steve Death went 1103 minutes without conceding a goal, also an English league record.

They also hold the embarrassing honour of having experienced more FA Cup defeats than any other team. This is due to Reading and Notts County being the first of the football clubs that exist today to enter the competition, in 1877-78. Both clubs have lost one cup tie per season since, apart from in 1894 when Notts County won the cup. Also in the 1893/94 FA Cup, Reading lost 18-0 to Preston North End, at least partly because the Preston players used studs on their quagmire of a pitch.

During their successful 2005-06 Premiership promotion campaign, Reading broke another record when they went 33 matches unbeaten, the longest in the history of England's second tier, from 9 August 2005 until they lost to Luton Town on 17 February 2006. They have also broken Sunderland's record for most points in English football history in 2005-06, finishing with 106 points, breaking the previous record by a single point. Reading almost became the first team to finish a season with 100 goals and 100 points, but failed by one goal, scoring "only" 99 goals.

Club Records

Best win: 10-2 v Crystal Palace 4 September 1946, Football League Third Division Also 11-0 v Chesham Generals 17 November 1901, FA Cup 4th qualifying round.

Worst defeat: 18-0 v Preston North End 27 January 1894, FA Cup R1

Most capped player (whilst at Reading): Jimmy Quinn (17 Northern Ireland caps)

Most league appearances: Martin Hicks (500, 1978 to 1991)

Most league goals: Ronnie Blackman (158, 1947 to 1954)

Most league goals in a season: Ronnie Blackman (39, 1951-52)

National Records

Longest winning sequence at the start of a season: 13 victories in 1985-86.

Longest run in the football league without conceding a goal: 1103 minutes, over 11 matches between 24 March 1979 and 18 August 1979 (Steve Death was the goalkeeper throughout this run)

The first of the clubs who joined the Football League in 1920-22 to score 5000 League goals. Adie Williams scored the 5000th against Wycombe in September 2000 but, due to a miscalculation, the framed certificate went to Darius Henderson who got the 5001st

Longest unbeaten run in a single season of the 2nd tier of English Football: 33 games (2005-06)

Most points in a single season in any English professional league: 106 points (2005-06)

The Madejski Stadium

This is our stadium, in which we play home games. The English Premiership rugby club London Irish also use our ground for home matches. It was opened in 1998, and seats 24,225. An extension is being talked about if we avoid relegation at the end of this season.

Posted Image

Posted Image
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
The Squad

1: Marcus Hahnemann (GK)

Posted Image

2: Graeme Murty (D) <----------------------------------Captain

Posted Image

3: Nicky Shorey (D)

Posted Image

4: Steve Sidwell (MF)

Posted Image

5: Ibrahima Sonko (D)

Posted Image

6: Brynjar Gunnarson (MF)

Posted Image

7: Glen Little (MF)

Posted Image

8: Leroy Lita (ST)

Posted Image

9: Kevin Doyle (ST)

Posted Image

10: Stephen Hunt (MF)

Posted Image

11: John Oster (MF)

Posted Image

12: Dave Kitson (ST)

Posted Image

13: Reading Fans

Posted Image

14: John Halls (D)

Posted Image

15: James Harper (MF)

Posted Image

16: Ivar Ingimarsson (D)

Posted Image

17: Bobby Convey (MF)

Posted Image

18: Sam Sodje (D)

Posted Image

19: Seol Ki-Heyon (ST)

Posted Image

20: Johnathan Hayes (MF)

Posted Image

21: Graham Stack (GK)

Posted Image

24: Shane Long (ST)

Posted Image

26: Curtis Osano (D)

Posted Image

27: Aaron Brown (MF)

Posted Image

31: Simon Cox (MF)

Posted Image

32: Adam Federici (GK)

Posted Image

33: Scott Goblourne (D) (On Loan to Wycombe)

Posted Image

Non Playing Staff Members

Chairman: John Madejski
Director: Ian Wood-Smith
Chief Executive: Nigel Howe
Director of Football: Nicky Hammond
Manager: Steve Coppell
First Team Coaches: Kevin Dillon, Wally Downes
Youth Academy Manager: Eamonn Dolan
Chief Scout: Brian McDermott
Reserve Team Manager: Brian McDermott
Head Physio: Jon Fearn
Sports Scientist: Jon Goodman
Kit Manager: Ron Grant

The Mascot - Kingsley

Posted Image

Preseason Results

Didcot Town: 1---------------Reading: 9
Bromley: 0-------------------Reading: 1
Rushden: 2-------------------Reading: 3
Northampton: 1--------------Reading: 4
Millwall: 0---------------------Reading: 1
Swindon: 1-------------------Reading: 1
Gallstads: 0------------------Reading: 6
Lanna GoIF: 1---------------Reading: 10
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Royals Make Record Bid For Mensah

Posted Image

"BBC Sport"
 
Reading have made a club record £3.5m bid for Rennes defender John Mensah.
"We're waiting for things to happen. We're not in a position to start the ball rolling," Royals boss Steve Coppell told the Reading Chronicle.

"We depend on others, and our resources are such that we're waiting for the fall-out on other deals."

Mensah, 23, was an ever-present at the centre of Ghana's defence at the World Cup and signed a new three-year contract with Rennes in April.

Coppell also confirmed that he has earmarked several other targets as he looks towards the new Premiership season.

"At the moment we're hovering around," he added. "We know our targets. Sooner or later something will happen."


Our next game is the last on our tour of Sweden, and is against Orgryte IS from the Swedish Allsvenskan - the top tier in Sweden. Andre Bikey, a Cameroon defender, has been on trial on the tour of Sweden. It says on the Sky Sports website that Coppell is taking his time over whether or not to sign Bikey.[/color]
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
TC Admin
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Number 13 - Reading Fans? :unsure:

Also, is Oster any good? He is in my Premierleague.com Fantasy Football squad ATM...
Posted Image
Credit to Bandit!
@TheComplexII
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Oster is a really good player, but is unlucky because he has to compete with Glen Little. Reading FC were the first club to officially register the fans as a player, as they can often sway a game with their chants and screams and stuff.
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
TC Admin
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Oh. What other clubs have the supporters registered as a player?
Posted Image
Credit to Bandit!
@TheComplexII
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
im not sure, but we were most definitely the first

Sonko Opts For Club Over Country

Posted Image

"BBC Sport"
 
Reading's Ibrahim Sonko has rejected a call-up for Senegal's friendly against Ivory Coast to ensure he is fit for the start of the Premiership season.
Sonko, who is also eligible for France, missed the African Cup of Nations to help the Royals win promotion last term and insists he is not snubbing Senegal.

"My ankle is still a little sore from playing on it last season," he said.

"I can still play for France but I'm not thinking about it. Only Senegal have shown interest - I respect that."

Meanwhile, Brynjar Gunnarsson's involvement in Iceland's friendly with Spain in Rekjavik on 16 August is in doubt after he came home early from the Royals' pre-season tour of Sweden to have treatment on a groin injury.


This Season's Kits

Home

Posted Image

Away

Posted Image[/color]
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
hugh
Member Avatar
two trophies, many runner-ups.
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
i just found out that a friend of mine supports reading!

he has the jersey and everything, i found this surprising :eek:
Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
TC Admin
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
:P

A friend in Australia or one you've met on forums?
Posted Image
Credit to Bandit!
@TheComplexII
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
hugh
Member Avatar
two trophies, many runner-ups.
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
TC Admin
Aug 9 2006, 02:55 PM
:P

A friend in Australia or one you've met on forums?

:rolleyes:
in australia
Posted Image
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Game Review

Last night we faced off against Orgryte IS in Sweden. Our starting XI looked something like this:

Hahnemann

Murty (Makin 72) © Shorey Sonko (Halls 69) Ingimarsson

Bikey (Harper HT) Sidwell Oster (Seol 59) Convey

Doyle (Hunt 64) Lita (Long 59)

Subs Not Used: Stack, Golbourne, Cox
Booked: Harper, Sidwell
Sent Off: Bikey (but replaced by Harper)

Well done Bikey. Not a way to impress Stevie C, headbutting an opponent.

Posted Image

There he is look, being grappled by someone else.

"BBC Radio Berkshire's Joel Hufford On Tour"
 
So Reading have won all three games of their pre-season tour of Sweden thanks to a 2-1 victory over top-flight side Orgryte last night.

Bobby Convey's neat finish after 42 minutes put the Royals ahead and Reading dominated in the second half following a series of attacking substitutions - the likes of Shane Long and Seol Ki-Hyeon getting a run out.

Orgryte, who are rock bottom of the Swedish table halfway through their season, equalised against the run of play with a stunning left-footed strike ten minutes from time.

But Seol converted a Steve Sidwell cross to hand Reading the win.

The talking point from tonight's game will be trialist Andre Bikey though, playing his last game for Reading before Steve Coppell makes his decision.

He disgraced himself just before half time, picking up a straight red card for a headbutt following a tangle with an Orgryte player.

When you're on trial trying to earn a contract, it's not the most sensible decision to go around head-butting people.

Steve Coppell tells me that sort of conduct is completely unacceptable, but I'm led to believe he will still make enquiries with Bikey's club Lokomotiv Moscow, so perhaps the door is still open for Bikey to join Reading on a permanent basis.

As it happened Reading finished the game with eleven men. This being a friendly, James Harper came on to replace him!


Scorers:

0-1 Bobby Convey - Reading (41)
1-1 Simon Chekroun - Orgryte IS (80)
1-2 Seol Ki-Hyeon - Reading (90)

So, the 'lazy' Seol, as described by TCAC VI, scored a goal right at the death, to retain our unbeaten record in preseason. Our last assignment in preseason is on Saturday 12th against the wonderful Dutch titans Feyenoord.[/color]
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
In a quite stupid move, the Stevie C of the south is now considering asking Lokomotiv Moscow to loan out psycho Bikey, even after a shocking tour of Sweden which ended with him 'doing a Zidane' and being sent off. We've got Feyenoord next, and we hope to win and keep an unbeaten preseason record.
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Game Review

Last night was our last pre season game before the EPL starts. We played Dutch team Feyenoord with a starting XI looking like this:

Posted Image

Substitutions: Halls for Murty (79)
Makin for Shorey (79)
Sodje for Ingimarsson (72)
Hunt for Harper (64)
Oster for Seol (72)
Long for Doyle (78)
Lita for Kitson (55)

Not Used: Stack

Posted Image

"BBC Berkshire"
 
First-half goals in quick succession from Dave Kitson and Ivar Ingimarsson handed Reading a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Feyenoord in a final pre-season friendly before their Premiership debut.





Kitson sent a header back across goal to open the scoring on 22 minutes and, within moments, Ingimarsson bundled home a second after his header struck the post.

Feyenoord pulled a goal back midway through the second half as Reading came under increased pressure, but the Royals held out for a confidence-boosting win ahead of their Premiership debut against Middlesbrough.

Steve Coppell told BBC Radio Berkshire the match had served its purpose for the squad.

"It's very important for this to have been the right kind of game," he said.

"This is the dress rehearsal and every performer wants that to go well, you always feel better mentally.

"We were strong in the first 45 minutes. They upped their tempo, they've got terrific players and it was a real stern test. We had to hang on at the end but everyone got real value from that game."

One or two players limped off at the final whistle but the manager says there are no fresh injury concerns coming out of the game.

"There's just a few little aches and strains - I'm mindful of the players who haven't been able to have a full pre-season like Kitson and Hunt - and whatever happens we're going to use 20-odd players so we need everyone."

With that in mind strengthening the squad is still possible ahead of the season opener, though Coppell admitted the club had not had the best of luck in the transfer market this summer.

"Sometimes openings just appear and you can grab them. Other times you try to force things and nothing happens.

"We've gone down quite a few blind alleys this summer and wasted a lot of time pursuing targets.

"Obviously we haven't got long to do anything now but it's amazing how the market opens up a week before the season starts."


Scorers

1-0 Dave Kitson - Reading (22)
2-0 Ivar Ingimarsson - Reading (23)
2-1 Ben De Ceulaer - Feyenoord (62)

What a result for the Royals, who go into the Premiership season on the back of an unbeaten preseason. Middlesbrough are our next opponents at home in our first top flight match. In other news.....

Reading Fail With Record Bids

"BBC Sport"
 
Reading have had two club record bids for World Cup stars Ghana's John Mensah and Ivory Coast's Emerse Fae rejected.
The Royals were willing to pay £3.5m for Rennes' Mensah and a similar sum for Fae of Nantes.

That amount would have broken the current transfer record of £1.5m that was paid to Wolves for Seol Ki-Hyeon.

"We made an offer and they turned it down. Both clubs said it doesn't matter what we offer, the players are not for sale," said Reading boss Steve Coppell.
[/color]
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
TC Admin
Member Avatar
Admin
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Wow... Reading beat Feyenoord...
Posted Image
Credit to Bandit!
@TheComplexII
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Tealey
Member Avatar
Mali 'Till I Die (Or Become Inactive)
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Southampton Sign Makin

Posted Image

"BBC Sport"
 
Southampton have signed veteran defender Chris Makin from Reading on a free transfer.
The 33-year-old signed a two-year deal after starting just 11 league games for the Royals last season.

Saints boss George Burley, who managed Makin at Ipswich, said: "We've been saying since the summer that we need to strengthen the squad at the back.

"Chris can play across the back four, he's a good experienced pro and will give us a bit of leadership as well."

Makin is an experienced full-back who can play on either flank.

He started his career at Oldham before a short spell in France with Marseille.

Makin then enjoyed nearly four years at Sunderland before moving to Ipswich and then Leicester.

He had a brief loan spell at Derby before joining Reading on a free transfer.


Wycombe Sign Golbourne On Loan

"BBC Sport"
 
Reading defender Scott Golbourne has signed for Wycombe Wanderers on loan.
The 18-year-old England under-19 international, who joined Reading from Bristol City in January, could make his debut for Wycombe on Saturday.

The defender is expected to complete the paperwork on Friday on an initial one-month loan deal.

Wanderers boss Paul Lambert has been searching for a defender since the departure of Clint Easton to Gillingham on a free transfer in June.
[/color]
Posted Image

"TC Admin"
 
Tealey :notworthy:


My Trophies:

FIFA Complex Cup x2 (Football)
Intercontinental Cup (Football)
Winners' Shield (Football)
One Day Cricket League x2 (Cricket)
ECB Complex Cup (Cricket)
World Club Championship (Cricket)
Tour vs. USA (Cricket)
Test Knockout Cup (Cricket)
Top Of The League (NFL)
Offline Profile Goto Top
 
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Sport · Next Topic »
Locked Topic
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3

Theme created by Jenny of the ZetaBoards Theme Zone.