THE Russians are coming to Reading this weekend and, presumably, they are flying here.

Krasny Yar take on London Irish in the European Rugby Challenge Cup at Madejski Stadium on Saturday, and that is one hell of a journey of more than 4,400 miles.

Krasnoyarsk is in the middle of Siberia some 2,575 miles further on than Moscow – about four and a half hours by plane.

If travelling by coach, then I trust the Russians left earlier this week as it is least an 83-hour journey – probably longer if they come through the centre of Reading.

The return leg is a week later, but will be played in Tbilisi, Georgia, which is a mere 2,693 miles away or 52-hour drive via France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland and Ukraine.

At least Georgia should be a bit warmer, as temperatures as low as -14 are forecast for Krasnoyarsk next week.

  • NON-LEAGUE football in Berkshire is enjoying one of its most successful seasons ever.

Maidenhead United are more than holding their own in their debut season in the National League, Hungerford are doing well in National League South, while Slough currently occupy a top-six place in the Evo-Stik South League.

Bracknell Town, Thatcham Town and Windsor – all Hellenic League rivals – have won through to the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase, with the first two clubs also very much involved in the league title race.

There are many quality non-league footballers living in Reading, but they prefer to travel out of the area to play, leaving Scours Lane pair Highmoor Ibis and Woodley United with depleted squads and facing the threat of relegation in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Both currently languish in the bottom three.

  • IT appears there has been no new year resolution to behave by a small number of Reading & District Sunday Football League players.

Three matches had to be abandoned last weekend, including the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup tie between Richfield Rovers Reserves and Imaan at Laurel Park which saw the arrival of two police cars to sort things out.