READING FC players thanked fans for their support this season during their traditional 'lap of appreciation' on Saturday.

Players, many joined by their children, chatted to fans and stopped for pictures, despite a heavy downpour at Madejski Stadium.

The gesture happens after Royals' last home fixture every season, though there was disappointment in the air last weekend following a last-gasp defeat by Preston North End.

Nevertheless, Royals boss Brian McDermott paid tribute to Reading fans, saying: "The support was terrific.

“You never want to walk round a pitch at the end of a season after a late goal like that.

“But sometimes that pain will bring you through to next season and help to get you to where you want to be.”

He added: “We walked around the pitch at Wigan in 2005 when they had just won the league and we’d missed out on the play-offs - that was tough.

“But the following season we won the league. And it didn't feel great on Saturday.”

Reading's defeat on Saturday was their first at home to Preston in the league since 1982.

It left Royals 16th in the Championship table and they finish their season with a trip to 15th-placed Blackburn Rovers this Saturday (12.30pm ko).