King George VI passed away in his sleep at Sandringham House, Norfolk, on February 6th, 1952 and was succeeded to the throne by his daughter Princess Elizabeth, who has subsequently become this country’s longest serving monarch as Queen Elizabeth II.

Reading Football Club marked the passing of the King with a series of ceremonies at their next home match at Elm Park the following weekend.

A crowd of 20,952 solemnly stood for a two-minute silence, whilst the club flag flew at half-mast.

Officials and players lined up opposite each other on the halfway line as the Reading Temperance Band played the National Anthem.

An official club statement in the match day programme read: “This afternoon on every football ground where a match is played under the jurisdiction of the Football Association, a simple but sincere tribute will be paid to the memory of our late beloved Patron”.

The official programme cost supporters threepence and described the teams colours as: “Royal Blue and White Hoops with White Knickers.”

The Royals (although at the time their nickname was the ‘Biscuitmen’) went on to win the match against Millwall by 2-0, with Blackman and Bainbridge the scorers.

Speaking to the Bygones, club historian David Downes (who was at the match) explained: “The nation went into a period of official mourning, although football did carry on, many things changed out of respect for about a month.”

David also remembers the Queen’s Coronation the following year, especially because his family had acquired their first television.

Being one of the few in his street to have a TV his parents became very popular and many friends huddled around the 9inch sized screen to watch the historical event at Westminster Abbey.

Although David’s mother he recalled: “Spent most of her time in the kitchen making tea and sandwiches!”

On the occasion that the Queen became the longest reigning monarch, David received an official letter from Buckingham Palace, thanking the club for its support during her reign.